About Us

Many organization fight breast cancer. We do it differently.

Our organization has been fighting breast cancer since 2005, when a small group of neighbors joined together to raise funds for research. We named ourselves The Step Sisters to represent the support family members provide to one another during times of crisis.

After repeatedly seeing the impact the disease had on patients and their families, members, Ashley Campolattaro and Angela Fuentes, decided to revise the mission to assist patients throughout treatment.

Over the years we have seen neighbors, friends and family members diagnosed with the disease and it’s clear that supporting patients as they battle the disease is a different, yet vital approach to fighting breast cancer.

No patient should have to stop or even delay her treatment due to her personal circumstances and no patient should feel that she is fighting breast cancer alone.

Our Founders

Ashley Campolattaro

Founder & Co-Executive Director

About Ashley

Ashley co-founded the Step Sisters in 2005 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She currently serves as Co-Executive Director. As the Step Sisters have grown and evolved, her life has been touched by breast cancer with a number of friends also facing the disease. She feels that the Step Sisters’ mission has reignited the “heart” of the organization and has brought new meaning to its work by impacting our local communities. Ashley has a background in marketing, communications and design. An RRCA Certified Race Director & Running Coach, she has experience in race and event planning. Married to her high school sweetheart, Ashley enjoys family time with their 3 sons, traveling, paddle boarding and yoga. * Photo Credit: Jessica Monte Photography

Angela Fuentes

Founder & Co-Executive Director

About Angela

Angela joined the Step Sisters in 2009 following her personal battle with breast cancer. Throughout her treatment, members of The Step Sisters played an important role in supporting her and getting her through a very challenging time in her life. Angela hopes to pay forward the generosity and kindness that was shown to her family and is proud to serve as Co-Executive Director of The Step Sisters organization. Angela has a background in business and finance and owns her own bookkeeping business, Ashburn Accounting. She brings her financial expertise to the organization by handling all the bookkeeping needs of The Step Sisters. Long-time residents of Brambleton, Angela, her husband and 2 boys enjoy spending time with family, participating in sports and being involved in the community. * Photo Credit: Jessica Monte Photography

Board Members

MK Meredith

President

About MK

Mary Karen “MK” Meredith is a two-time breast cancer survivor with over 15 years in the medical industry and serving the oncology/hematology community as a senior hematology consultant with Bristol Myers Squibb. Writing as MK Meredith and a USA Today bestselling author, her book Not Your Usual Boob: the Good, Bad, and Wonky of Breast Cancer continues to remind patients they’re not alone.

Latisha Spaulding

Vice President

About Tish

Latisha “Tish” Spaulding is the Center Director at Winwood Children’s Center in Brambleton. Tish became acquainted with the Step Sisters organization after her own breast cancer diagnosis, participating in the Step Sisters’ Ribbon Run just weeks after her last treatment. She explains, “I love what the Step Sisters have to offer the community and the ladies who have just received the awful diagnosis of cancer. I look forward to seeing what the next few years bring to this organization.” She lives in Manassas with her husband and rescued German Shepherd.

Destinae Nacin

Treasurer

About Destinae

Destinae has been involved in the Step Sisters since 2016 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was thankful for the local support offered by the organization and wanted to get involved after treatment. She participated annually in the Ribbon Run with a team of her own and joined the fundraising committee. She enjoys being a resource for others facing breast cancer and for the opportunity to work within the community to spread awareness. When she’s not helping out the Step Sisters she is spending time with her husband, two kids and dogs. She also teaches 5th grade and is an independent sales consultant for a natural skincare company.

Heidi Winkler

Secretary

About Heidi

Heidi first learned about Step Sisters during a walk between fitness classes in Brambleton and loved the organization’s mission and purpose. She began working with Step Sisters in 2020 coordinating events to help raise funds and bring awareness about the organization and the great work it does. Heidi, originally from Kansas, has a passion for helping people, whether it is teaching fitness classes, organizing charity events through Get Heidi Fit, or through her work with local oncologists and cancer specialists as an oncology account manager for Caris Life Sciences. A University of Kansas graduate and Kansas City sports super fan, Heidi and her family love staying active, traveling, and exploring new parks, wineries, and restaurants.

Janet Gustin

Board Member

About Janet

Janet joined Step Sisters at the beginning of 2019 after she completed her own battle against breast cancer. She was fortunate to have the support of friends and family during her cancer treatments but knows not everyone is so fortunate. She is thrilled to be a part of the Step Sisters’ team and is eager to help others impacted by breast cancer. She has a background in Contracts and currently works as a Sr. Contracts Manager at a large government contracting firm. She and her partner live in Brambleton and they enjoy spending time with friends and family and traveling as much as possible.

Darcy Gurganous

Board Member

About Darcy

Darcy is the manager of corporate services for TEGNA Inc., responsible for overseeing corporate events. She began her career with Gannett/USA TODAY in 1999 as an assistant conference coordinator. In this role, Darcy served as sales manager of the space, earning several million dollars in revenue for the company while also serving her internal clients. Darcy currently serves on the National Leadership team for Young Men’s Service League Chapter as assistant vice president of communications, and previously served as vice president of communications for her local chapter. She also serves in various volunteer roles in her community. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia. She and her husband, Tom, live in Brambleton with their three sons. Darcy has been involved with the Step Sisters since the very early days.

Tammy Skov

Board Member

About Tammy

Tammy is an Administrative Assistant, a role she has held for over 30 years with the Federal Government as well as with other business organizations. She actively participates in and supports community events to bring awareness to important causes. Recently, she was involved with the Today Show’s “Start Today” community and shared what gets her moving every day and how she uses the community to support her. A self-described people-person, Tammy enjoys getting to know people and hearing their stories, joining the group to help those in need. She has been involved with the Step Sisters for many years, most recently joining as a Sole Sister Ambassador. She has lived in Leesburg for over 30 years and is the mother to three adult children.

Neardey Trinh

Board Member

About Neardey

Neardey and her family escaped the Pol Pot regime, finding refuge in the United States and settling in Northern Virginia. She joined the US Navy as an Operations Specialist, allowing her to travel and propelling her to pursue a degree in Political Science at George Mason University. Neardey has since worked at L-3 Communications (Titan Group), Booz Allen Hamilton, SRA International Inc. and Knowledge Consulting Group, and subcontracted under her own company BeNorth LLC. In 2010, Neardey completed her Master’s of Science (M.S.) in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) from George Mason University. In 2016, she produced her first film, In the Life of Music about a young Cambodian-American girl exploring her past through the love of music and is working on other film projects. In addition, Neardey has launched her own business, Little Lana’s Cookies, serving customers nationwide.

Advisory Committee

Dr. John P. Williams, M.D.

Medical Advisor

About Dr. Williams

Dr. John P. Williams dedicates his practice to breast care and is a leader in breast cancer patient education and an advocate for patient involvement in their cancer care decisions. His clinical expertise is in both malignant and benign diseases of the breast. He focuses on comprehensive, minimally invasive and compassionate care of women and men with breast disease. He practices breast cancer surgery in Northern Virginia with offices in Haymarket, Brambleton and Chantilly, Virginia. He is a national leader in breast cancer education and founded the not-for-profit Breast Cancer School for Patients.

Dr. Elizabeth Zapp, M.D.

Medical Advisor

About Dr. Zapp

Dr. Elizabeth Zapp is a board-certified Family Physician and a Functional Medicine Practitioner certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine. She graduated cum laude with a BA in biology from the University of Delaware, attended Jefferson Medical College, completed her residency at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, and served in the Medical Corps of the US Navy. She particularly enjoys helping to fill the gaps in traditional medical care, especially when it comes to thyroid disease, hormones, and gut health. You will find her hiking, biking, on the water, or enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. Dr. Zapp has been involved with the Step Sisters organization since the organization’s beginning.

 

 

Christine Acuin
Jennifer Bowman
Sara Burke
Deanna Cain
Erica Cohen
Tabitha Cook
Amy Dobrowansky
Heather Gosman
Cheryl Guard
Shari Hardy
Wendy Hunt

Dalia Hidayat
Lisa Jackson
Katrece Nolan
Karen Pfister
Karen Puleo
Michelle Reeve
Colleen Robbins
Katie Schellhammer
Leigh Schoener
Katherine Shanley
Amy Shapiro

Melanie Small
Sarah Strohecker
Aimee Tucker
Andrea Tweedell
Karina Twomey
Grace Vannell
Sasha Wall
Andrea Wardell
Geri L. Wardlow

Christine Acuin
Jennifer Bowman
Sara Burke
Deanna Cain
Erica Cohen
Tabitha Cook
Amy Dobrowansky
Heather Gosman
Cheryl Guard
Shari Hardy
Wendy Hunt