Secretary Nominations

Jennifer Benton

Association to COCA: Current COCA Board Member, Current Committee Member, COCA Member Camp Staff, Donor

Camp Affiliation: Camp Mak-A-Dream, MT

Current Camp Position: Camp Director

Statement of Purpose: Please tell us what COCA means to you and why you want to join the COCA Board of Directors

COCA provides such a great community of oncology camping professionals – and as a board member for the past five years, has provided me the opportunity to advocate for member camps, contribute by serving on several committees as well as in the Secretary role for two+ terms, and lend my 30 years of experience in the oncology camping world to growing and evolving the COCA organization.

I have been involved with COCA for nearly two decades, served on the rebranding committee and also served as co-chair and host camp for COCAcon 2025 in Spokane, WA.

Fostering connections, building partner relationships and listening to member camp needs are all priorities of mine in serving on the board. It is a privilege to serve in this capacity as Secretary and I would appreciate your vote at this year’s annual meeting. Thank you.

Candidate’s Video Link: https://share.icloud.com/photos/091VLjdw_1UmIUGpRn_-z9rgg

Please select any of your skills and talents that apply:
Business Development, Leadership
Marketing, Social Media
Fundraising, Grant Writing
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other organization)
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other organization)
Other

Other: Please Explain

In the 30+ years that I have worked with Camp Mak-A-Dream I have served in a number of roles from board development and outreach, to fundraising and event coordination, to administrative oversight and for the last decade, serving as Camp Director. I have also served as Secretary on both the COCA board (for the last 5 years) as well as on the board of the Ovarian Cancer Survivors Foundation of Montana.
 
Business Development, Leadership: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:

As Secretary and part of the Admin & Governance committee, I can put my experience of involvement with COCA as a member camp representative, my 30+ years of leadership work in the pediatric oncology camping industry as a director, as a community volunteer and member of several COCA committees (including Development Chair, Marketing/Social Media, Executive Committee, rebranding committee) to work on behalf of COCA membership.

I believe in listening to the needs and concerns of COCA members and advocating and working to include those ideas in the continued growth and evolution of COCA as a professional member association.

 
Marketing, Social Media: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:

Currently I serve as a member of COCA’s Marketing/Social Media committee, previously served on the COCA re-branding committee during the recent rebuild of the website, logo design and messaging, and served as Director of Marketing/Events for Camp Mak-A-Dream prior to becoming Camp Director.

The mission, vision and messaging of COCA as a member organization is important to its membership, families of children diagnosed with cancer, potential donors and corporate partners and medical oncology professionals.

I believe my degree in English, as well as my years of experience in the rolls mentioned can all help benefit COCA as well.

Fundraising, Grant Writing: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:

I currently serve as Chair of the COCA Development committee and also work on development, fundraising and oversee grant writing with Camp Mak-A-Dream where I serve as Camp Director and a member of the organization’s leadership team. Our organizational budget is approx. $1.6 M per year, all of which we raise. I helped create and have overseen our largest annual fundraising event – a one-day endurance cycling event – that on average raises $250,000-400,000 a year and involves thousands of people. I also do development work managing a portfolio of donors for our organization.

 
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:

The past five years of serving on the COCA board in the role of Secretary, as well as serving on committees, has been a great experience. Having new members join while maintaining continuity with more tenured members seems like a great balance for this organization. I tend to ask a lot of questions and try to look at the big picture of things, while also being a detail-oriented person. So keeping meetings on track, taking notes, speaking up during discussions are all strengths that I feel I possess.

I also served as Secretary on the Ovarian Cancer Survivors Fndt. board.

Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
During the last several years I have served on several different committee for COCA, as well as my own Camp and other non-profit organizations within my community.
With COCA, I was part of the ad-hoch rebranding committee five or so years ago, have been on and chaired the Development committee, taking part in the Marketing/Social Media committee, and last year sat on the Conference Committee as co-chair of the Spokane, WA COCAcon that region 7 hosted. I have also coordinated and hosted numerous mini-COCA regional conferences at Camp Mak-A-Dream over the years.
 
Additional accomplishments: Share notable successes in pediatric oncology camping
Working with the same oncology camp for 30 years has provided me many opportunities to help create new cancer programs (growing our annual calendar from one week to 18 weeks) of cost-free cancer camps, retreats and partnership programs over the years. We helped to pioneer one of the first young adult programs in the nation and host diagnosis specific groups as well, including brain tumor and ovarian cancer sessions.
Camp Mak-A-Dream was one of the first camps to collaborate with (at the time) KOA Care Camps to form a partnership of funding that now extends to all of COCA member camps and the Gold Ribbon program.
I ran point on our Gold Ribbon accreditation process and on-site visit and have spoken at/represented my organization at numerous national events over the years and helped grow our staff from one to now 12 employees.
I’ve also been nominated for Spirit of COCA.
 
I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:
Yes

Gold Ribbon Committee Chair Nominations

Brandon G. Briery, Ph.D.

 
Association to COCA: Current COCA Board Member, Past COCA Board Member, Current Committee Member, Past Committee Member, COCA Member Camp Staff, Donor, Consultant

Camp Affiliation: Camp CAMP (Children’s Association for Maximum Potential), TX

Current Camp Position: Chief Operating Officer

Statement of Purpose: Please tell us what COCA means to you and why you want to join the COCA Board of Directors:

COCA provides the foundation for connecting people across the United States and around the world in providing camps and related programs for kids with cancer and their families. The people of COCA’s Member Camps provide such a depth and breadth of experience and expertise, and COCA provides the platform for sharing that, promoting best practices, and helping us all be the very best we can be for the kids and families we serve. Being part of the COCA Board of Directors and helping promote this platform for connection, while also helping define, and raise everyone up to achieve, best practices in all that we do, is a personal mission and passion of mine.

Candidate’s Video Link: https://youtu.be/bdmZBEjQ7mg

 
Please select any of your skills and talents that apply
Finance, Accounting, CPA
Education Background
Business Development, Leadership
Fundraising, Grant Writing
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other organization)
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other organization)
Pediatric Oncology Medical/Clinical/Psychosocial Experience
 
Finance, Accounting, CPA: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in
While these skills may not be directly relevant to the role of Gold Ribbon Committee Chair, I have also served, and will continue to serve, as a member of COCA’s Finance Committee, and bring my knowledge of non-profit management and non-profit finance to support the organization in that way. I will continue to do this whether or not I am elected as Gold Ribbon Chair.
 
Education Background: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in
Having held professorships, having been a trainer and speaker, and having been certified in facilitating a number of different curricula, I believe these skills are helpful and relevant to the Gold Ribbon Committee Chair position as the whole program is really about education – about sharing best practices with all of COCA’s Member Camps and helping them learn how they can implement and sustain them. These skills and experiences will help me continue to support the Gold Ribbon Accreditation program as it evolves and grows with the organization. I am also an ACA Accreditation Visitor and Instructor.
 

Business Development, Leadership: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in

While again perhaps not directly relevant to the Gold Ribbon Committee Chair position, I would use my sklils and experience in Business Development and Leadership to the benefit of COCA through service on the COCA Board of Directors.
 
Fundraising, Grant Writing: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in
I have also been serving on the COCA Fundraising Committee and will continue to do that whether or not I am elected to be Gold Ribbon Committee Chair. I will continue to use my skills and experience to help COCA broaden and deepen its fundraising efforts through grant writing and relationship building.
 
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
My prior experience as a COCA Board Member could be seen as both beneficial or detrimental. The institutional knowledge and personal observations of COCA’s growth over the past 25 years can be helpful, but can also run the risk of developing blind spots of my own or preventing newer voices and ideas to join the Board and provide new perspectives. As long as I have something to contribute through a role like that of Gold Ribbon Committee Chair, I am happy to do so, but am also comfortable stepping aside to allow new leadership if the right candidate becomes available.
 
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in
I have mentioned being involved with various committees within COCA over the years, but of greatest relevance has been serving on the Gold Ribbon Committee since its inception. I believe that history and perspective will help me continue to foster and facilitate the work that has already begun in refining and improving the standards to be clearer and more inclusive to the various types of programming COCA Member Camps are providing.
 
Pediatric Oncology Medical/Clinical/Psychosocial Experience: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
Having worked in the hospital and clinic setting, as well as in the camp setting, I have a broad perspective that keeps one foot steadily in both the clinical and camp domains, helping to see opportunities to bridge thinking from those perspectives, which can sometimes seem at odds within one another, to discern what is truly best practice in the camp setting but for clinical populations.
 
Additional accomplishments: Share notable successes in pediatric oncology camping:
I have been involved in the field for nearly 35 years, have conducted, published, and presented research on the benefits of camps for children with cancer and other conditions, am a previous “Spirit of COCA” award winner, and have had opportunities to help mentor other pediatric oncology camp professionals over the years.
 
I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:
Yes

Conference Committee Chair Nominations

Mark Lowry

Association to COCA: Current COCA Board Member, Current Committee Member, COCA Member, Camp Staff, Gold Ribbon Peer Visitor

Camp Affiliation: Camp Quality USA

Current Camp Position:Executive Officer of Camps & Programs

Statement of Purpose: Please tell us what COCA means to you and why you want to join the COCA Board of Directors:

I am a highly motivated, collaborative, and mission-first leader who can plan and execute projects and programs, drive performance excellence, and develop a positive, inclusive and productive workplace culture. Whether through creating deeper connections with and contributing to the development of student leaders, volunteers, and colleagues, or providing life-changing experiences for my amazing campers and families, my desire is to contribute in ways that live out the mission and purpose of the communities I serve. Specifically related to the area of conference design, development, organization, and hosting, most recently I served as the 2025 COCAcon Committee Chair, as well as part of the 2024 COCAcon planning committee, and co-host of the 2023 COCAcon event in Chicago. Regardless of specific role or responsibilities, I view my work as that of making sure all camps and attendees feel welcomed, informed, supported, and an important part of our COCA community.
 

Candidate’s Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UJR0z_iHwP7SzD3sRRnBbKhnAlTxj7TO/view?usp=sharing

Please select any of your skills and talents that apply
Education Background
Fundraising, Grant Writing
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other organization)
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other organization)
 
Education Background: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
My career began as an elementary school teacher, which required classroom management skills such as scheduling, curriculum design, cross-team collaboration, creativity, and parent communication. These foundational skills have been important in all aspects of my career since my first year in a classroom, and still hold true today in how I approach my work with camp and COCA. From a COCAcon perspective, these skills have been and would be put to use through collaboration with other committees, thinking big picture about the overall look & feel of the conference, and building an inclusive schedule for education and networking.
 
Fundraising, Grant Writing: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
In my early career, I was part of Development teams at the American Cancer Society, Kellogg School of Management, and Lutheran School of Theology, as well as organizing and running reunion events, student leadership conferences, and freshman seminars on 3 different college campuses. I feel all these different experiences can be directly applied to the Board and COCAcon related work.
 
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I am currently a special appointee on the COCA Board as the Conference Committee Chair. I am thrilled about the opportunity to continue this work that started as a conference volunteer, to host camp, to conference committee, and now conference chair. Additional board experience also comes from my church and pre-school, where I served as the school board president as well as church council member.
 
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I have served on many committees over the course of my career, including COCAcon. Outside of COCA, I have served on other college conference committees, as well as led committees focused on student success, LGBTQ+ initiatives, Relay for Life, church projects, and more. I feel that having diverse voices within a committee is vitally important, as is having the right people in the right roles to move the work ahead.

 

Additional accomplishments: Share notable successes in pediatric oncology camping:

Currently, I serve as the Executive Officer of Camps & Programs for Camp Quality USA, directing and supporting volunteer training, policy and procedure design & assessment, program design and enhancement, budget development, risk-management, COCA Gold Ribbon Accreditation, and all aspects of direct field related activities. Previously, I served as a member of the Camp One Step team, leading efforts in reaching more families through digital camp programs accessible from home to the hospital.

My passion for this work began when I was a Summer Camp camper 33 years ago at One Step. I was blessed to have compassionate volunteers enter into my life at that time, and fueled my camp career as a Camp Director, Programming Coordinator, Program Facilitator, as well as a counselor and general volunteer.

I am here today because someone brought camp into my life, and I won’t stop until we reach every family who needs us.

 
I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:
Yes

Development Committee Chair Nominations

Joanne Bean

Association to COCA: Camp Staff/Volunteer, Current Committee Member

Camp Affiliation: Camp Sunshine – Sebago Lake, Maine

Current Camp Position: President and CEO

Statement of Purpose: Please tell us what COCA means to you and why you want to join the COCA Board of Directors:

I would be honored to serve on the COCA Board and contribute in any way I can. My educational background, along with my experience in developing new programs and initiatives to raise funds for nonprofit missions, would make me well-suited to lead the Development Committee. Thank you for your consideration, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the experiences outlined in my CV.
 

Candidate Video Link: https://www.campsunshine.org/winter-video

Please select any of your skills and talents that apply:
Education Background
Business Development, Leadership
Fundraising, Grant Writing
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other organization)
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other organization)
Pediatric Oncology Medical/Clinical/Psychosocial Experience
 
Education Background: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I hold an RN, BSN, and MBA, degrees that have consistently supported my leadership roles throughout my career. Most importantly, I am a committed change agent, approaching challenges as opportunities to improve targeted outcomes.
 
Business Development, Leadership: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:

Please take a moment to review my attached CV. I have experience raising funds through corporate philanthropy with the American Diabetes Association and led efforts to pass nationwide mandated insurance reform. At The Jackson Laboratory, a global biomedical research institute, I had the opportunity to help grow their board from members giving $50K per year to $1M, which allowed me to engage directly with donors about supporting groundbreaking research.

I am also a registered nurse with extensive experience in critical care but one of my proudest accomplishments was establishing the first hospice program in Maine and facilitating a cancer support group for 13 years. I facilitated the support group on two evenings each month as a volunteer working with the oncology department at the hospital.

Fundraising, Grant Writing: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:

My more than 30 years of experience as an advancement professional have given me a strong foundation in all aspects of successful fundraising and in building a true culture of philanthropy. I am happy to discuss any of the points outlined in my CV, and I can genuinely say that I love cultivating relationships—whether for annual giving, major and principal gifts, endowment support, strategic grants, or legacy commitments.

I would welcome the opportunity to bring my background to COCA and to contribute in any way that would be helpful.

 
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
As a senior leader in the nonprofit sector, I have always valued the opportunity to build strong boards and work collaboratively to advance an organization’s mission. My business acumen, coupled with experience in healthcare and higher education, has informed and strengthened every aspect of my philanthropy roles. I would look forward to bringing this experience—and a sincere commitment to supporting COCA’s continued success—to the Board.
 
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I have extensive experience serving on committees and boards, and working with teams from diverse backgrounds. Whether leading a board, serving as a committee member, or chairing and directing fundraising initiatives, I truly enjoy collaborating as a team and striving to exceed our goals together.
 
Pediatric Oncology Medical/Clinical/Psychosocial Experience: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I am a registered nurse with experience in emergency medicine, intensive care, and hospice nursing. As a former Director of Patient Education and hospital administrator, I carry these skills and perspectives with me in every role I take on. Once a nurse, always a nurse, as they say.
 
Additional accomplishments: Share notable successes in pediatric oncology camping:
I am honored to serve as Camp Sunshine’s President and CEO. I am fortunate to work alongside a talented leadership team and a dedicated Board of Directors as we advance our mission. I hope to bring that same spirit of collaboration and service to COCA and to contribute in meaningful ways to this very special organization and its membership.
 
I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:
Yes
 
Upload any supporting documents you would like to include with your application:
JMBean-CV-2024.pdf

Becky Felak

Association to COCA: Current COCA Board Member, Current Committee Member, Donor

Camp Affiliation: The Goodtimes Project/Camp Goodtimes

Current Camp Position: Volunteer

Statement of Purpose: Please tell us what COCA means to you and why you want to join the COCA Board of Directors:

I believe that COCA represents the best of what oncology camps can be—a network of peers lifting each other up to provide hope and joy to our campers and families. Sitting on the COCA Board and being able to make an impact beyond my camp community has been an honor and a privilege. COCA’s growth these past few years has been amazing, and I’m excited to continue that momentum whether as Development Committee Chair or as a supporting member of the committee. Together, I believe we can expand partnerships, improve fundraising strategy, and increase long-term sustainability, supporting every member camp along the way.
 

Candidate’s Video Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JX6CHSTmviR3qwFb8

 
Please select any of your skills and talents that apply:
Marketing, Social Media
Fundraising, Grant Writing
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other organization)
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other organization)
 
Marketing, Social Media: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
While I’m not a marketing or social media expert, I have successfully led numerous social media, email, and direct mail campaigns through my years in fundraising and event management. As Chair, I would use these skills to help strengthen COCA’s donor communications and highlight the impact of our member camps.
 
Fundraising, Grant Writing: Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I bring a varied background in planned giving, endowments, grant writing, sponsorships, corporate partnerships, and individual and board giving. I understand how to build meaningful relationships that align donor interest with organizational needs, and steward supporters effectively.
 
Prior Board Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
I have served on the COCA Board for four years as the Region 7 Director. During this time, I’ve helped relaunch and strengthen the Development Committee and Chaired the Conference Committee in 2024. My board service has given me a strong understanding of COCA’s structure, priorities, and opportunities for growth.
 
Prior Committee Experience (COCA or other org.): Please elaborate and briefly explain how you would put these skills to use in the position you are interested in:
As stated above, I’ve served on the Development Committee and the Conference Committee with COCA.
 
I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:
Yes