The Gastric Cancer Foundation Board of Directors provide a range of expertise to help guide and drive our mission. These hands-on board members are located across the United States and have all been touched in some way by gastric cancer. All share a passionate determination to find a cure and a commitment to creating hope for patients by raising awareness and expanding research.
Following his role as one of the original team members of the server division at Compaq, Paul managed the North American server business. He met JP at Compaq, and being JP’s senior by seven years, Paul became JP’s mentor and close friend. Years later, they worked together again at Panasas.
Paul’s passion and dedication to Gastric Cancer Foundation are as impressive as his career. He is inspired to use his professional skills to increase visibility for the organization, serve as a sounding board for communications and to support the mission of fighting stomach cancer through research and understanding the disease. We will look to Paul to help us reach the next level of visibility, strategic relationships and initiatives to support our goal of curing stomach cancer.
Cindy brings a wealth of personal experience with this disease as well as a passion to help patients and family members of patients affected by gastric cancer. Her work at Gastric Cancer Foundation will help keep JP’s legacy for hope and a cure.
Cindy holds a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and received her master of arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University.
Dr. Goel was born in India, received his Ph.D. in biophysics from Punjab University, completed his postgraduate work at the University of California San Diego, and went on to a noteworthy 16-year career at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute in Texas. He has authored more than 300 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and holds more than 30 advanced genomic and transcriptomic international patents.
Dr. Langecker’s medical training and published research focused on preclinical and clinical oncology and the hormonal regulation of breast cancer. He has had university hospital level clinical experience in solid tumors (including breast, GI, lung cancer), lymphomas and leukemias, and bone marrow transplants. He has authored and co-authored 50+ publications and posters.
Prior to Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., Alice was the vice president, general manager of Oncology with Berlex (the US subsidiary of Schering AG, now Bayer), where she was a member of the executive committee and oversaw ongoing operations and future development of the oncology business, among other responsibilities. She joined Berlex after a long tenure with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), culminating in the role of vice president, Worldwide Licensing and External Development.
Alice holds a master’s of business administration from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University and a bachelor’s from the University of Western Ontario.
Before joining PLAYSTUDIOS, Jeff led Weslyn&Mayne Consulting as Principal and served as Vice President with Neiman Marcus, managing the design, implementation and operation of unique, distinctive programs to the highest valued Neiman Marcus clientele through the customer recognition program, InCircle Rewards. Jeff has also served as a Board member with TACA (The Arts Community Alliance), a Dallas-based organization championing artistic excellence in performing arts.
On June 4th 2014, Jeff’s wife Candace was diagnosed with Stage III stomach cancer. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife founded Stupid Strong, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about gastric cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support to families in need. This effort complements Jeff’s leadership role with the Gastric Cancer Foundation. Sadly, Candace lost her battle in November of 2017, but her legacy lives on in the efforts of GCF.
Susanna’s late husband John was diagnosed with stage IV gastric cancer in February 2015 and passed away from the disease in February 2017. Susanna and John were both grateful for the treatments he received as a result of past research into Gastric Cancer and became passionate about supporting research to discover more treatment options and a cure for the disease. In addition to her involvement in the Gastric Cancer Foundation, Susanna is an enthusiastic cyclist in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge in support of the Center for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Susanna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. She also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Michigan. Susanna lives in New Canaan, Connecticut with her daughter Anne.
After his diagnosis, Hans published Eat Like There’s No Tomorrow, a cookbook that includes a collection of original recipes, photographs and narratives. In the book, he shares his story about his own stomach cancer in addition to thoughts on healthy eating, optimism and life. In his personal life, Hans mentors people with stomach cancer through both the MD Anderson Network and Imerman Angels. He also teaches regularly at the Cancer Wellness Center at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.
Hans holds a master’s of art degree in Hospitality Management from Georgia State University.
In 2018, Jeff received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his work as a passionate advocate for cancer research and patients. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Gastric Cancer Foundation, Jeff is a member of the Dana Farber Presidential Visiting Committee for Gastrointestinal Oncology and the Stanford Cancer Council. He was also President of the Board of Directors of First Graduate, a nonprofit organization helping students become the first in their families to graduate from college.
Jeff earned his MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
In 2016, Jeff’s beloved wife Sara passed away following a brave battle with gastric cancer. Sara’s journey inspired her and Jeff to commit to advancing gastric cancer research including developing a novel clinical trial at Stanford University and an early detection research team with Stand Up To Cancer. In 2020, Jeff founded the Sara Schottenstein Foundation to honor his wife’s legacy and further support gastric cancer research. Jeff is dedicated to raising awareness of gastric cancer and to supporting scientists, patients and their families.
Weintraub’s freelance pieces have been published by Forbes.com, the New York Times, US News & World Report, CURE Magazine, Fierce Markets, and other media outlets. She is excited to be joining the board and helping advance awareness about the disease and research for better treatments for patients.