Staff

Ashley Schneider

Executive Director

A woman passionate for helping everyone touched by cancer, Ashley is a perfect fit for WOCA's executive director. She discovered her passion after completing an internship at the Reiman Cancer Center, and then losing her mother to pancreatic cancer in 2012. The best part of working for WOCA to Ashley is getting to see all the love and support at the Annual Survivors' Brunch, because helping those affected by cancer is what she loves most. When she wasn't working she loves to spend time with friends and family, as well as watching reality TV, working out, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers.

Jennifer Echevarria Social Media & Program Coordinator

Almost four years ago when looking for a way to give back, Jennifer found WOCA and knew right away that it was a perfect fit. Passionate about the cause, her favorite event is the Survivor's Brunch, as it is a place to see so many strong women come together. She also enjoys the Whisper Walk in Madison, because there is a strong sense of community. When not at the office, Jennifer enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Mary Ann Johnson

Madison Area Coordinator

Mary Ann is a survivor of stage 3c ovarian cancer. Ironically, she worked as a cancer registrar at UW- abstracting and staging cancer cases for the Carbone Cancer Center. She retired shortly after her diagnosis. She discovered WOCA on a list of resource websites while in treatment. She was originally drawn to the STS program and joined. In 2016, she assumed the role of the Madison area Facilitator.

As a grateful survivor, Mary Ann feels compelled to spread awareness, provide education, and raise funds for research of this "disease that whispers." Her favorite event is the Survivor Brunch. She loves spending time with her lovely "survivor sisters" of her "Fried Eggs-Sunny Side Up" OC Survivor Social Group in Madison

Susan Skiles

Fox Valley Area Coordinator

Susan was diagnosed in November 2017, after her primary care physician conducted a CT scan. From there she decided to get a second opinion and was treated at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Where they were willing to treat the entire person (mind, body, spirit) and provide the needed support for her wife. She was able to treat holistically as well as with convention medicine. Susan truly believes that the clean eating, exercise, meditation, prayer, drinking a lot of water, minimizing stress and having a very large support group were helpful in maintaining minimal side effects from the poison being dumped into her body. Susan joined WOCA in order to empower and encourage other women and their caregivers with knowledge and support. She hopes to raise awareness in the medical community as to symptoms of this devastating disease and raise funds to help determine better diagnosis and treatment.

Karen Wawrzonkowski

Office Volunteer

Karen was diagnosed in 2016 and began volunteering for WOCA in the summer of 2017. She was looking for a way to give back, for all the support she received during her treatment. She enjoys the WOCA community events and helps out with office tasks when needed. Karen offers advice and support for those that are going through the same thing. While there may be some commonality in a cancer diagnosis, she understands that everyone's experience is different, doctors may have different treatment regimens and everyone's response to treatment is different. Staying engaged with other survivors and respecting those differences is important to her. In addition to volunteering for WOCA, she also is a volunteer puppy raiser and trainer for WAGS (Wisconsin Academy of Graduate Service Dogs) out of Madison. Karen is a dedicated volunteer, and we are grateful for her!! Thanks for all of your help Karen, we appreciate you!!

Board

Diane Hoyt

Board President

Diane Hoyt is the president of the board. Prior to being the president of the board, she held the position as treasurer. She has been on the WOCA board since November of 2014. Diane is involved with WOCA because she lost her mom to Ovarian Cancer in April of 2005. She continues to spread awareness and to fight for better testing in memory of her mom. Diane’s favorite WOCA event is the Survivor’s brunch because she loves celebrating the inspirational woman in the state.

In the Fall of 2022 Diane was given some unexpected news. She was diagnosed with bilateral Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She used her knowledge and experience from her mom and other Ovarian Cancer Survivors to have the courage to fight with all she had. After 16 rounds of
chemo, a double mastectomy and total hysterectomy she can proudly say that she has achieved Complete Remission (CR). She now has first-hand experience of what it takes to fight cancer and is more ready than ever to continue to advocate and fight for the Ovarian Cancer
Survivors in our state.

Diane grew up in Madison and attended UW-Madison, receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration majoring in Marketing, Management and Human Resources. Diane started her career in Dallas, TX working in the corporate offices at Neiman Marcus. She then spent 11 years working in the buying offices at Kohl’s Department Stores in Menomonee Falls, WI. Since 2013 Diane has worked as a product manager at Uline in Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Diane lives in Muskego, WI with her husband John, son Sam, daughter Adelyn, stepchildren Claire and Adam and dog Leo. Diane enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering for WOCA and helping with various dog rescues. She is also an avid Wisconsin Badger Sports Fan.

Kari Diestelhorst

Board Treasurer

Kari’s mom battled ovarian cancer for almost ten years. After seeing her journey and being with her at the end of her journey, she made a promise that she would get involved to help raise awareness for this silent killer. She volunteered at the Mother’s Day walk to benefit WOCA with her sister and friend in May 2016. At the event she was able to connect with Peggy Pipia and knew that she wanted to join the board to help make a difference. Kari joined the board in the summer of 2016 and became the treasurer in January of 2018. She loves Toast to Teal; however, her favorite event is Nancy’s Run, Rock & Stroll. She believes that having the opportunity to raise funds for a great cause is important; however, being able to connect with survivors and families of survivors was emotionally more than she expected. “These survivors are so inspiring and help remind me why what we are doing IS making a difference.”

She works at Catholic Financial Life as the VP of Finance. She has been with the company for over 10 years. Outside of work and volunteering at WOCA, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She’s been married to her high school sweetheart, Clint, for 19 years. Clint is a special education teacher. They have two children and two “fur-babies.” Spending time with her family traveling tops my list of favorite hobbies.

Lori Felber

Board Secretary

After a nine-month fight, Lori’s mother lost her battle to ovarian cancer, which inspired her to become involved with spreading awareness. Like many, Lori and her mother did not realize that her symptoms were those of ovarian cancer, which is something she hopes to change. Lori also volunteers to help those with bleeding disorders, so she can bring her experience there to the WOCA board. Another animal lover, she loves spending her free time with not only her husband and sons, but with her three dogs and two cats, and would love to run her own rescue one day.

Susie Siettmann BSN, OCN, ONN-CG is an exciting addition to the WOCA board, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in the medical and gynecological oncology fields. She especially has a passion for patient education currently working
as a Patient Engagement Liaison for GSK providing community education and support. Her unique talent is having a creative mindset and she helps by contributing to our fundraising efforts.

She learned about WOCA through receiving Comfort Totes for her patients and was moved to become further involved seeing the impact these gifts made on them. Her favorite event has been the Survivor Brunches as she loves seeing the smiles on the faces of her former patients as well as all the Ovarian cancer survivors WOCA supports. In her free time, Susie loves biking and kayaking, as well as attending festivals. As a fun fact, Susie was once a traveling oncology nurse early in her early career driving cross country and living in Costa Mesa, CA.

Susie Sietmann

Board Member

Peggy has been involved with WOCA for over 13 years, starting to work with the organization after her mother—and best friend’s—diagnosis. Her young daughter, Kathryn, made bead decorations to be sold, and have stayed involved ever since. Peggy loves all of WOCA’s events, knowing that the opportunity to spread the word with each one is most important. Outside of volunteering for WOCA and her job, Peggy loves Zumba, gardening, traveling, and is a true dog lover!

Peggy Pipia

Board Member

Heidi Homme, MSN, RN, OCN, joins WOCA after 20+ years of working as a medical and gynecologic oncology nurse. While working in gyn/onc, she saw the magic of WOCA and the positive impact it has had on patients and the community, she knew she wanted to be part of the Alliance. Her knowledge and passion for educating and encouraging women and their families during this time will help promote the WOCA mission. One of Heidi’s favorite resources for patients is the “Teal in Need” campaign that focuses on financially assisting ovarian cancer patients’ expenses while they are undergoing treatment. In her spare time, Heidi enjoys participating in year-round outdoors activities, reading, and traveling with her husband, three children and dogs!

Heidi Homme

Board Member

Marketing Committee

The marketing committee is responsible for providing guidance and assisting in the development of the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance’s marketing strategy. Its purpose is to increase the overall visibility, enhance the reputation, and support the mission of the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance.

Fundraising Committee

“Fund the Future”

Governance Committee

The purpose of the Governance committee is to ensure that the board fulfills its legal,
ethical, and functional responsibilities through adequate governance policy
development, recruitment strategies, training programs, monitoring of board activities,
and evaluation of board members & performance.