About Know Breast Cancer
Know Breast Cancer Staff
Susan Wadia-Ells: Founding Director
Susan, a journalist, wellness consultant, women’s studies professor and political activist, created the Know Breast Cancer Project after watching one too many friends develop invasive breast cancer.
Susan is also a partner at the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) and a member of the Collaborative’s Breast Cancer Working Group. She writes the column Honest Health, that appears regularly in the Gloucester Daily Times (Massachusetts) & the blog, The Truth About Breast Cancer.
Susan is a former faculty member in writing and women’s studies with Lesley University’s Adult Baccalaureate Program. She was also co-founder and co-director of the Wise Ones Conference Group, former development director with the Center for Popular Economics and former corporate affirmative action manager with Polaroid Corporation. She has worked and lived in Brazil, Iran and India.
Susan’s published works include: co-editor with Samuel Bowles & Lyuba Zarsky, The Economic Report of the People, Center for Popular Economics, South End Press, Boston & contributing editor: The Adoption Reader: Birth Mothers, Adoptive Mothers and Adopted Daughters Tell Their Stories, Seal Press, Seattle.
Susan holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Hood College, a Masters in energy economics and political development from the Fletcher School (Tufts University) and a PhD in women’s studies from the Union Institute and University.
Susan lives in Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts.
Melanie Dukas: Media Director
Melanie manages Know Breast Cancer’s website, our online newsletter and development programs. She also produces and edits Know Breast Cancer’s educational programs.
As founder and principal of Melanie Dukas Communications, a marketing and website development company, Melanie works with all types of small companies and non profit organizations to develop marketing programs with an emphasis on website design and e-newsletters. Melanie holds a BS in Marketing Management from The University of Massachusetts in Boston.
Robin Tiro-Kinnon: Events Manager
Robin is an integral part of Know Breast Cancer’s management team as she creates and helps implement national and community-based funding and branding programs that help spread Know Breast Cancer’s educational work and increase our donor base.
As a successful front line fundraiser for many years with the Avon Walk for Cancer, Robin has raised as much as $18,000 for a single event by mobilizing friends, community members and area businesses. She has also created annual walk-a-thons for local schools and organized the Mark Gaudet Tribute Evening, raising over $30,000 for a local man’s cancer treatments.
Robin continues to serve as a one- on- one volunteer for local families in need by supporting their self-esteem, increasing their creativity in parenting skills and obtaining home furnishings, books and other materials needed to ensure optimal child development and a comfortable home environment.
Robin is a graduate of Bunker Hill Community College and is currently continuing her education in human services at Salem State College. She lives in Lynnfield, Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.
Julie Pierce, Grant Manager