Community Leadership Boards amplify the CureSearch mission in regions around the country. Board members foster strategic relationships within their communities, driving fundraising, event participation and increased awareness of the need for pediatric cancer research funding.
We're actively recruiting new members for Boards across the country. Please fill out an application here:
SoCal Board
Kashyap Jani, Chair of the Southern California Board
Kashyap Jani has over 22 years of experience in the field of engineering. He has an MBA from USC and a Master's of Science in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University. He is a Senior Director at Qualcomm in San Diego. He is an avid hiker and loves the outdoors. Kashyap has been involved with the CureSearch Ultimate Hike since 2021.
Dallas-Fort Worth Board
Kara Childress, Chair of the Dallas-Fort Worth board
Kara Childress has over 25 years of experience in management consulting and corporate accounting, and a long history of working with small and medium-sized businesses. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Vensure Employer Solutions.
Colorado Board
Nicole R. Ferrera, Chair of the Colorado board
Nicole R. Ferrera boasts an impressive track record, with over a decade of executive experience in advertising. Her achievements were recognized when she was honored as one of the Top Women in Media & Ad Tech in 2022 by AdExchanger. In 2022, Ferrera took a bold step and founded Heau, a brand aiming to set new standards in the industry. But her commitment to making a difference doesn't stop there. Ferrera also established NRF Media, a boutique digital services firm that exclusively partners with clients who share a deep-seated mission to create a positive and meaningful impact on society.
Salt Lake City Board
Gaelle Mercenne, Chair of the Salt Lake City Board
Gaelle Mercenne brings over a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, where she has led various drug discovery programs focused on cancer. She earned her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology and began her postdoctoral fellowship in Wes Sundquist's lab at the University of Utah in 2015. During her time there, she developed a deep appreciation for the mountains and enjoys spending her free time hiking and skiing.
Triangle Area Board
Chris Morton, Chair of the Triangle Area Board
Chris Morton, also known as "Coach Chris," is the HPC Systems Engineer at AMS DataSerfs, Inc. in Raleigh. He has been involved with the CureSearch Ultimate Hike since 2011 after his youngest daughter, Violet, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a common childhood liver cancer. Violet spent her first birthday undergoing chemotherapy. She spent weeks at a time at Duke Children’s Hospital with her mom and lost a dangerous amount of weight. She needed a liver transplant, and Morton was ready to be a donor.
This Board covers the greater Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill areas.
Charlotte Board
Courtney Cortes, Chair of the Charlotte Board
Courtney Cortes is the Director of Nursing for Emergency Services at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, bringing 18 years of experience across emergency, outpatient, and pediatric nursing in NC, SC, TX, and OR. She holds an MBA from Campbell University and an MSN from the University of Colorado and was recognized in the Charlotte Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40. Outside of work, she loves traveling, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two boys. A passionate advocate for patients and families, Courtney is excited to partner with CureSearch to make a difference!