ABOUT US

Jennifer joined the Links for Life team in 2005 as the Executive Director. Under her leadership, Links for Life has grown to be one of the most supported local charities in Kern County. Jennifer has a long history of helping cancer survivors. Prior to her Links for Life tenure, she worked at the American Cancer Society. As a testament to her passion and impactful leadership, she was recently recognized by the Kern Alliance of Non-profits as Nonprofit Professional of the Year for her service to the community.

Jennifer’s passion project at Links for Life is the grocery card and nutrition education program, which has assisted thousands of women, men, and families with food throughout their breast cancer journeys. Jennifer is responsible for the creation of the program in 2019, when it was started with grant funds from the Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation, and it continues to be one of the fastest growing program that Links for Life offers today.  Additionally, Jennifer is proud of the scholarship program, which assists young individuals whose families were affected by breast cancer in pursing education after high school, despite the adversity and disruption that cancer brings to the family. Jennifer draws from personal inspiration, as she uses her work to honor a friend who lost her mom to breast cancer in high school yet went on to be a doctor of psychiatry.

Jennifer has been married to her husband, Matt, for over 25 years, and together they have two children, Madden and Jensen, who have recently graduated from Gonzaga University and Liberty High School, respectively.

Brooke works for Brown Armstrong as a Certified Public Accountant with more than 15 years of auditing experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration – Accountancy and CPA. Her specialties include retirement systems, non-profits, and special districts. She joined Links for Life in 2019 as the board treasurer because she felt that her participation was one way that she could provide support to those in the breast cancer community.

Brooke is a breast cancer survivor herself and is grateful to celebrate her survivor anniversary on May 27. She is happily married and has two sons, as well as two fur babies, George and Lou.

Amisha works at Kern Health Systems as the Senior Director of Provider Network Management, ensuring that enrollees have appropriate access to high quality healthcare. In her role, she oversees the organization’s community support services including the housing and homeless incentive, enhanced care management, and other special programs to support the Kern Health Systems network of contracted providers. Prior to joining Kern Health Systems, Amisha held leadership roles in multiple local healthcare organizations spanning 15 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Health Care Management from California State University, Bakersfield.

Amisha decided to join Links for Life to support individuals battling cancer in Kern County to honor her brother who died of cancer. She enjoys being part of an organization that takes pride in helping individuals with support and resources during their cancer battle. She is married with one son and one daughter.

Joslynn is a Tax Manager at Daniells, Phillips, Vaughan, and Bock, and she currently holds the position of Treasurer on the Links for Life board. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business in Taxation from Golden State University. She’s worked in accounting for 10 years, helping clients to prepare business and individual tax returns, calculated tax projections, and to setting up accounting systems to help local business owners.

Joslynn was inspired to get involved with Links for Life by watching her friend Brooke Baird become involved with the organization. She appreciated how Links for Life helps those in need in the community and wanted to get involved. On a personal note, Joslyn has been married six years, and is a classically trained pastry chef.

Charlotte worked for the Department of Public Health and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, as a registered nurse before retiring after 29 years of distinguished service. She came to Links for Life in 2006 after her own breast cancer diagnosis, to get a wig while undergoing chemotherapy. She was impressed with the organization’s staff and how they helped people. After getting well, she decided to join Links for Life to “give back” to the community, and has since been a strong supporter of and advocate for Links for Life and its mission.

Charlotte and her husband have been married for 55 years. They have two grown children and four grandsons. Charlotte enjoys traveling and provides many volunteer hours to support her community.

Nancy is a retired business executive with a specialty in human resource management and administration. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Bakersfield. Nancy has served her community in many ways over the years, including serving on boards of the Girl Scouts of Central California, the Kern Literacy Council, and the American Lung Association. She has assisted with the CSUB Alumni Hall of Fame, BARC Celebrity Waiters, CASA of Kern County, the Leadership Bakersfield Advisory Council, and the Beautiful Bakersfield committees, to name a few.

Nancy became involved in Links for Life to support local efforts in providing education and services to breast cancer survivors. Besides being accomplished in her career and volunteer activities, she is a proud mother and grandmother, and passionate about making Bakersfield a great place to live.

Genevieve joined the Links for Life board in 2022 because she has had several close friends and family members who have been affected by breast cancer. She works at the Centre for Neuro Skills as the Director of Business Development for the Western States.  Although Genevieve recognizes that her job’s focus is to serve the brain injured population, she has a place in her heart to provide support to those affected by breast cancer and appreciates that all the funds raised by Links for Life stay in Kern County, to help local residents. She is grateful for the Centre for Neuro Skills because they encourage community interactions and partnerships across a wide variety of medical and community needs. Genevieve has a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from California State University, Bakersfield.

Genevieve is married to Brian McClanahan, and between them they have five children, and four fur babies. She considers herself fortunate to be part of the Links for Life organization where she enjoys friendships with many amazing women and men who share her passions.

Jacqui has been Nurse Navigator and Supervisor for Breast Cancer at AIS Cancer Center since 2013. Jacqui completed her RN training in England and moved to the United States in 1990. She worked with HIV/AIDS patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for 12 years and then at LA Biomedical and Harbor UCLA for 5 years. She moved to Bakersfield in 2007 and began working at Adventist Health where she managed the Grossman Burn Center before joining the AIS Cancer Center. She has achieved a Bachelor of Science in Health Service Management and holds certifications as an Oncology Certified Nurse, Certified Breast Care Nurse, and Certified Navigator-Breast Nurse.

Jacqui refers all her breast patients at AIS to Links for Life for the wonderful services they provide. She serves on the board as the Education Co-Chair, specializing in education of the community on breast health, prevention, and early detection.  She is married and has one daughter.

Chairperson, Resources Committee and Survivor

Kristi is the Agronomy Manager in charge of vineyard health and the health of shipped plants, at Casa Cristal Nursery. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Systems Management, with a minor degree in Ag Business. After college she worked for a large table grape grower as ag rape breeder and pest control advisor before moving to Casa Cristal Nursery where she has worked for the past 14 seasons.

In May of 2018, Kristi was diagnosed with breast cancer. Towards the end of her treatment, she realized she needed some emotional support and reached out to the Links for Life support group to connect with fellow survivors. They helped her navigate all the emotions she was going through. Having benefited so greatly from the Links for Life organization, Kristi decided to give back by becoming the Chairperson for Community Resources on the board. She celebrates her cancer-free anniversary in October, since having finished her treatments in October 2018.

Alycia is a family physician at Farr Medical Group. She graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2007 and completed her Family Physician residency training at Northridge Hospital. She decided to return home to Bakersfield to raise her children close to family and has been a part of the Farr Medical Group since 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology, a Medical Degree, and is a Board-Certified Physician from the American Board of Family Medicine.

Alycia first became aware of Links for Life through their grocery card and nutrition program for newly diagnosed individuals going through treatment. She had a patient who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and had been referred to Links for Life by their surgeon. After learning about the multitude of other services and support programs available through the organization, she reached out to become more involved as a volunteer and board member.  Alycia is a Bakersfield native who has always had a heart for this community. She has two daughters entering their adolescent years and loves to hike, camp, and travel as a family.

Lauren has been an attorney at Young Wooldridge, LLP since 2019. Prior to joining the firm, she interned with the Arizona Diamondback’s legal department, the US Federal District Judge Honorable Frank R Zapata, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s office in Washington DC. Lauren received her Juris Doctor at UC Santa Barbara where she double majored in Political Science and Communications and minored in Professional Writing.

Lauren has many friends and family members, including her Nana, who are breast cancer survivors. She loves being able to work with such an amazing organization because she enjoys that Links for Life provide hope, support, life-saving screenings, and resources to the local community. She and her husband, Tyler, have four rescued fur babies. She is a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and has been a vegetarian since she was four years old. She is most passionate about rescuing and advocating for animals.

Suzie has worked in the Oncology field for 17 years and has been a Breast Navigator at CBCC since 2013. Through this role she helped build the patient navigation team at CBCC with 3 certified breast navigators and a total of 7 navigators on her team. She has been referring patients to Links for Life for many years through her professional work and she became involved personally in Links for Life after being witness to countless testimonials of the lifesaving work that Links for Life has done.

Suzie’s personal passion is to alleviate barriers to treatment to ensure all members of the community have timely access to lifesaving treatments. She is engaged to be married and she has two amazing children who love to play family game nights. She also loves to travel with her children and fiancée, enjoying seeing the world through her children’s eyes.

Priscilla’s past work endeavors include bookkeeping for two decades at several local CPA firms, working as an office manager at a local television station, and providing business services for the school district. Priscilla currently serves as an Ambassador for Links for Life, sharing her story of victory over breast cancer to inspire many others in our community.

Priscilla first attended a Links for Life support group meeting in September 2001, after she had surgery for breast cancer. The group educated her and gave her the strength she needed to help her begin chemotherapy and endure her journey of fighting breast cancer. She and her husband Frank recently celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary. They have two adult children, David and Cassandra, who both work in healthcare.

Lauren joined the Links for Life team in July 2022 as the Development Manager.  In this role she focuses on event planning and execution, grant writing, marketing and outreach, and general fundraising.  With her aunt having passed away at age 41 due to breast cancer, Lauren is passionate about the mission of Links for Life and feels privileged to have a positive impact on the lives of local survivors and their families.

Lauren is originally from Baltimore, Maryland.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Honors Program Distinction from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, and a Master of Science in Public Policy with a concentration in U.S. Foreign and Defense Policy from American University in Washington, DC.  Lauren began her professional career in 2011 with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services, helping to shape U.S. national security and defense policies in tandem with the annual National Defense Authorization bill, which authorizes all funding for the country’s military.  She then served as the Congressional Advisor for the Ministry of Defense for the United Kingdom at the British Embassy in Washington DC, followed by a stint at the Center for Strategic and International Studies as the lead Congressional Advisor.  Lauren met her husband while living in DC and they moved to his hometown of Bakersfield in September 2017.  She has left behind the world of politics and, after spending several years in higher education fundraising roles, is so excited to be at Links for Life making a real difference each and every day.