Merita Carroll

Founder, passed 2018

ALK Positive was created by Merita Carroll in 2015. She wanted a support community where ALK-positive lung cancer patients, like herself, and caregivers could share their personal experience with this condition.

Merita was a vibrant healthy young woman working as a registered nurse when diagnosed Stage IV. She was diagnosed on March 6, 2015 and, sadly, passed away on April 24, 2018.

Read her full story here

Suzanne Houssainy

executive director

 

Suzanne started her career in the for-profit tech sector working with established and start-up companies to drive sales revenue and build market share. A yearning to do good in the world drove her to explore a second career in the charitable space where she served in senior roles at organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, City of Hope, and University of California, Irvine. She is most inspired by patient advocacy work giving voice to patients and their families at every table and at every opportunity. In her role as Executive Director at ALK Positive Inc., Suzanne is deeply committed to searching for and funding the most promising biomedical research that would change the odds for so many diagnosed with ALK-positive lung cancer in the United States and around the world.

 

Suzanne lives in Southern California, where she earned her MBA, and enjoys spending time with her two adult children and family’s dog, shaggy.

Dr. Ken Culver

Director of Research & Clinical Affairs

Dr. Culver graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1981. He completed his internship and residency in Pediatrics and a fellowship in Pediatric immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. At UCSF, he developed a passion for finding new treatments for patients with incurable diseases. He is board certified in Pediatrics and in Allergy and Immunology

Next, he went to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland as a Medical Staff Fellow and later as a Senior Clinical Investigator. He worked in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Blaese. In collaboration with French Anderson, they initiated the first approved human gene therapy experiment. Dr. Culver infused genetically-modified T-cells into Ashanti DeSilva on September 14, 1990. A second child was treated in 1991. Subsequently he co-led the first gene therapy clinical experiment for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

Ken has published 2 books and more than 100 scientific articles.

Dr. Culver worked for 20 years at Novartis Oncology where he contributed to the development of 12 compounds including ceritinib for ALK+ NSCLC. In his last role, he served as Head, US Thoracic Oncology Clinical Strategy and Lead for the Center of Excellence for Immuno-Oncology for US Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. Most recently, he was the Global Medical Affairs Leader for the Cell and Gene Oncology program at GlaxoSmithKline.

Outside of his medical career, Dr. Culver co-founded in 2002 the Foundation for Peace, a non-profit focused on education, medical care and community development for the materially impoverished in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya. Thousands of people have volunteered, and many more have been served over the past 20 years.

Sadia Yaakov

Medical Team Project Manager

We are excited to welcome Dr. Sadia Yaakov as Medical Team Project Manager. She has over 20 years of oncology experience in the clinical research industry and healthcare. Sadia holds a Doctor of Science in Health Systems Administration from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Statistics and a Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.  

Prior to joining ALK Positive, Sadia worked for a number of organizations including Merus N.V., Puretech Health, InClin, Inc., Sarah Cannon, Alaunos Therapeutics, Theradex, Jeanes Hospital, and Kindred Hospital. Sadia has managed phase I, II, and III global clinical trials, including melanoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, glioblastoma, sickle cell anemia, and x-linked hypophosphatemia. Sadia’s experience is underpinned by her profound commitment to drive innovation and facilitate transformative breakthroughs in oncology for patients across the globe. 

Katie Delaney

Philanthropy Manager

Katie brings over 10 years of business entrepreneurship and client relationship management experience to her role as Philanthropy Manager at ALK Positive Inc. She leads teams and projects in partnership with Board and executive leadership to advance philanthropic campaigns and initiatives that include donor acquisition, stewardship and communication. She brings a personalized approach to philanthropy that creates a meaningful experience for patients, families, supporters and partners.  

Katie earned her Associate of Science degree from North Idaho College and lives in Spokane, WA where she enjoys the little things like local farmers markets, pottery and painting, and a home filled with love and laughter.

Kirk Smith

President, PATIENT

Diagnosed December of 2013, I am living with Stage IV lung cancer. My wonderful wife, Jayne, and I live Athens, GA. with our dog, Maximus. I am a runner and mountain biker who is thankful that the incredible advances in lung cancer treatment allow me to still do what I love. LIVE!

Nancee Pronsati

Vice President, Patient

I’m a Colorado native who’s had Stage IV lung cancer since 2016. More importantly I’m a wife, Mom and friend. My professional background includes leadership positions in HR, Finance and Operations, primarily in the software industry and I got my MBA along the way. My husband and I love to travel, spend time with our kids and laugh with friends.

Teresa Wiant, Legal Chair

I was busy living my life in the Pacific Northwest in 2016 when a bad cough led to a stage 3B lung cancer diagnosis.  I celebrated with a Mutation Party when genomic testing showed ALK Positive because I understood that I might have more treatment options if my cancer is driven by a single mutation.  I went through concurrent chemo and radiation in hopes of curing the disease.  In 2018, I progressed to stage 4 and started targeted therapy. It is a privilege to serve on this Board because I want more time for all who are living with this disease.  

jeffrey sturm

Jeffrey Sturm, earned his MBA in International Business at University of California, Berkeley. Retired in in 2012 and diagnosed in 2014 with ALK+ NSCLC, Jeff participated in the original Alectinib clinical trial, and is currently doing well on Lorlatinib, while volunteering with two of the ALK Positive medical committees. For thirty years Jeff managed a technology equipment finance company in Silicon Valley with specialties in Biotech and Semiconductors.

Amanda Bialack-Stewart

I was diagnosed in October 2022, 10 days after giving birth to my twin boys.

Prior to diagnosis I was a runner & in above average health working out 6 days a week and into my 8th month of pregnancy. 

I have had a career in real estate since 2010, and have continued to work since my diagnosis. 

I enjoy traveling, making memories with my friends and family and giving back within the ALK Community.  

Summer Farmen

I am a wife to an adored husband and mother to three amazing children. I have a MS in Education and work with the birth to three year old population as a developmental specialist. I also happen to have stage IV lung cancer, diagnosed June 2020, on my 21st wedding anniversary. Soon after diagnosis I attended an ALK+ Art Therapy class on Zoom, found my people and decided to take an active role in giving back. The future is bright for ALK Positive, Inc. I am so grateful to those who paved the way and so honored to be a part of this organization as it moves forward.

Yvonne Diaz

In August 2021, I was diagnosed with stage IV, ALK-positive lung cancer. Prior to this time, I had always been healthy and blissfully unaware that anyone could get lung cancer. My professional background is in communications, and over the past 30 years I’ve helped global organisations strengthen brands, drive business goals and support reputations. I live in London, in the UK, with my husband, twin teenage sons and dog.

Marc Muskavitch

Diagnosed in June 2020, I have worked for 30 years as a university professor, followed by 10 years in pharma and biotech. I hope to draw on my knowledge of genetics and biochemistry, and experience in education and administration, to help improve therapies and outcomes for those living with ALK+ cancer.

JOHN O'SULLIVAN

I live in Cape Elizabeth, Maine with my amazing wife, Nancy. Together, we raised six wonderful children. I earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine and an MBA from Northeastern University. For the past 30 years, I’ve worked with a variety of companies as CFO, COO and/or President. I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in November 2017. Thanks to advances in ALK targeted medicines, I have been able to continue working. And more importantly, spending time with my family and two dogs, and enjoying the outdoors.