MEET OUR BOARD!
KRISTIN COSNER – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/CO-FOUNDER
Kristin is the driving force behind Team G. Her unfailing dedication to children and families facing this dreaded disease shows what one person can do to make a difference. She is a gentle and loving mother to her two daughters while fiercely fighting all things cancer. Kristin has already organized bake sales and family festivals as well as travelled to the Nations Capitol to convince our legislature of the need for more funding for pediatric cancer. Kristin’s unrelenting energy has and will move Team G forward in its fight.
CLAUDIA CISNEROS-CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
This woman never ceases to amaze. Claudia’s energy is boundless and her commitment to pediatric cancer is second to none. Most of you would already be able to pick Claudia out in a room full of people…she’d be the one with the brightest, most beautiful smile, the one who brings over a meal when you are sick and the one who shows up at your doorstep when you’re in need. You would never know the heartache she or her family have lived through.
Claudia is a cancer survivor herself; given a second chance by the benefits of clinical trials and research funding for brain tumors. It was only a short time after her treatments ended when her daughter Tianna was diagnosed at the age of 14 with rhabdomyosarcoma. Despite the intense and difficult treatment Tianna endured, she was taken by cancer last August.
The relationship between the Valdez and the Cosner family has been relatively short but the experience they’ve all shared has made these two families feel like they’ve been connected for a lifetime. Alongside each other, Claudia and her family are continuing their fierce fight against childhood cancer with passion and enthusiasm.
ADAM COSNER-CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER/CO-FOUNDER
Since the diagnosis of their young daughter, Gabriella, Adam has been on one mission: to get his family through this incredibly difficult journey no matter what it took. That has been accomplished. Now, the mission has changed into helping ALL children fight cancer and to battle this disease head on. With the support of each other and some precious and loyal friends, Adam and Kristin founded Team G Foundation to carry out this mission.
Adam has been a firefighter for 14 years and a paramedic for over 16 years. He currently works with an admirable group of firefighters at Santa Clara County Fire Department. As dedicated as Adam is to his job, he is a hundred times more dedicated to his family and it shows by how much his two daughters (and wife) admire and adore him. When Adam isn’t at work or being a family man, he’s either enjoying the outdoors on his motorcycle, climbing in the wilderness, or competing against the white board at our local CrossFit West.
With Adam’s outspoken and driven personality he keeps our board motivated and on task. With his witty charm, he keeps us laughing. Adam has the strength and tenacity to keep this organization functioning property and hold it to the highest level of integrity. We will accomplish great things with his determination.
DIEGO VALDEZ-BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Currently, Diego is a systems programmer at Siemens Building Technologies. When not at work, he partakes in the great outdoors with games such as disk golf, soccer, and mountain biking. Adding to this list recently was his enthusiastic and thrill seeking moment of jumping out of an airplane with his two crazy cousins!
Once his feet are back on the ground, Diego is a loving father and husband and enjoys the time he gets to spend with family and friends. He is very clever, witty, outspoken and a child at heart.
Diego knows all to well the devastating effects cancer has had on his life, first learning about cancer when his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor and then having his eldest daughter Tianna battle rhabdomyosarcoma, eventually succumbing to this vicious disease.
Diego promised Tianna that he would continue to spread awareness and find a cure for childhood cancer. When it comes to passion about a cause, Diego won’t take no for an answer. He embraces being a strong advocate for childhood cancer which is why he is a huge asset to the Team G Foundation board of directors.
KELLIE MERRITT-BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A single mom of an amazing teenager, a full time employee of Surf City Coffee, founder of a community service club, an advisor for high school kids, and a driven individual, Kellie loves being involved and loves a challenge especially when it comes to a cause near and dear to her heart. Since the beginning of high school, Kellie and Kristin have been the best of friends. Hearing that Gabriella was diagnosed with cancer was difficult news to take in. She knew that she was going to get involve however she could. Many of you probably remember Kellie as the team leader from “Team Aptos” at our countywide bake sale for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Who could forget someone so full of energy chanting on the street all day and persuading people to buying cookies?!?
She has been involved in many community activities including raising funds for muscular dystrophy, the California Restaurant Association and childhood cancer.
With her positive energy, Kellie is going to make a huge difference in the world of cancer for all the kids who need a voice and who can’t fight alone. We’re honored to have Kellie as part of the Team G Board!
SARAH MILLER- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This young lady is as ambitious, caring and as warm hearted as they come. Kristin and Adam first met Sarah, better known as “Squishy” when they attended family camp at Okizu. We had never seen Gabriella light up so much with someone she was just getting to know and we knew that Sarah was someone special. She would often visit Lucile Packard when G was going through treatment, which was an immeasurable help with G’s spirit.
Everyone who meets Sarah is as impressed as we are with her drive to achieve great things. Sarah is currently studying neurobiology at Stanford and has aspirations to be a medical doctor in the area of pediatric oncology. Not only is she a pre-med college student, a fun loving camp counselor for kids oncology camp, a traveler and a researcher, she is now serving as a great asset on the board of advisors for Team G Foundation.
MARIELA RICO-BOARD OF DIRECTORS
With a tenacious spirit, a huge heart and a fierce advocate against childhood cancer, Team G Foundation is honored and fortunate to have someone like Mariela as a part of our board. Not only is Mariela a trusted friend, devoted sister, aunt and daughter, she has been a successful business woman and serves as an active community member. She is currently the owner and lead operator at a successful loan operating company which she started in 2009.
Mariela initially entered the world of cancer when her cousin, Claudia was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Learning how to be an advocate and supporter for Claudia only prepared her further for the role she would play when her niece, 14 year old Tianna was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. When Tianna passed, Mar made a commitment to keep Tianna’s spirit shining strong and wide and is determined to make a difference. Needless to say, Mariela will continue her fight against pediatric cancer with everything she has.
MELANIE TUROWSKI-SECRETARY
Melanie, another avid lifelong friend was introduced to the Cosner’s at CrossFit North Santa Cruz. We always knew Mel was an amazing and devoted mother of three. Now we know her as an incredible friend and passionate advocate for pediatric cancer.
Mel played a pivotal role in supporting the Cosner family when Gabriella was first diagnosed. If it was help with childcare, help with a meal, visiting the hospital, running an errand, or just being a shoulder to cry on, we knew we could count on Mel. She has been the positive voice we needed to hear when nothing else in the world seemed positive. She would always remind me that this wasn’t the plan we imagined for Gabriella, but we’re taking it and making the best of it…and she will overcome.
Not only is Melanie taking on college for a degree in nutrition and science, driving her kids to and from soccer, football, and every other sport, she will be directing the “Fight for Gold” challenges, with Ronnie and the Team G Board at her side! Mel is an amazing part of the team…truly a blessing that came in to our lives!
RONNIE BOOSE-VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Ronnie came into the Cosner’s life when Gabriella was first born and was often seen holding and entertaining baby G as mom, Kristin and dad, Adam finished their rigorous workout that he prescribed. Ronnie owned and trained at the CrossFit North gym located in Scotts Valley, which was were they all began their lifelong friendship. He became a huge part of G’s life and eventually Bridget’s. He never missed a birthday party or a special event and has rightfully earned his title of “Uncle Ronnie”.
Uncle Ronnie has been fighting this battle with the Cosner’s since the beginning and has been a huge part of the “team”.
He introduced the name “Team G” after recognizing that it was going to take a whole community to fight pediatric cancer. His passion and determination to bring childhood cancer to justice is second to none and we will only climb taller mountains with Ronnie on board!