Heather Kelnhofer
President
Heather Kelnhofer has lived in Redding most of her life and enjoys working in the field of grant management and community development.
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Heather and her husband own an IT consulting company and Heather is also the Executive Director for Girls Inc. NSV, a local non-profit that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Heather earned her B.A. of Business & Human Resource Management from Simpson University and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from CSU Dominguez Hills. In 2022, Heather was diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer. Throughout the process of undergoing a double mastectomy, Heather wrote a blog about her experience in hopes that it can share awareness about the importance of early detection, but also help create an open forum to share what the process is like on a personal level. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons camping, kayaking and playing around at their little ranch, Broken Arrow Ranch.
Sarah Jimenez
Secretary
Sarah has been a resident of Shasta County for 30 plus years.
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Sarah’s three kids and husband have been involved in the soccer community for many years, as well as Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of Northern California. As a volunteer cub master and Girl Scout troop leader, and many years organizing 100’s of soccer teams, Sarah hopes she can bring some of her skills and community volunteer knowledge to the Nor-Cal Breast Cancer Connection board. Sarah remembers going to breast cancer awareness events with her mom years ago and loving the community the Breast Cancer Connection organization brings. Sarah is joining the board in honor of her mom and grandmother both of whom have passed away from breast cancer.
Patricia Smith
Board Member
Patricia retired as an Inpatient Oncology RN in 2018. She received her BSN from Mount Saint Mary’s University, and her BA in Sociology from UCLA.
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Patricia is passionate about increasing awareness that breast cancer is very treatable when caught early. She has special interests in the Mobile Mammography program, and grant writing. Patricia’s hobbies are reading, walking and hiking, cooking and baking, painting and crafting, and traveling.
Denise Highfill
Vice President / Treasurer
Denise Highfill has been in healthcare for 40+ years, and is currently the COO, HR/Compliance Officer/Behavioral Health Manager for Shingletown Medical Center.
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Denise has worked in both clinical and administrative positions in hospital and outpatient care. She went to work for a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) in 2006 and providing healthcare for the underserved became her passion. Providing education and prevention for the underserved can at times be a challenge.
Denise has been involved with Nor-Cal Breast Cancer Connection from its inception in some shape or form. She has a number of family and friends who have succumbed to cancer. One of her closest friends lost the battle with breast cancer a few years ago so she does this for her. Denise has been a Team Captain for Relay for Life both in Shasta County and Sacramento. Volunteering is part of her DNA.
Her hobbies include; outdoor activities, the 49ers, Giants and Sac River Cats, traveling in their trailer and reading when there is a quiet moment. She has been married to her husband Gary for 50+ years, has a son and a daughter and three adorable grandchildren.
Justin Sherwood
Board Member
Justin Sherwood is a business owner, community advocate, and purpose-driven leader dedicated to creating environments where people can thrive.
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As the owner of Northern Interiors Inc. dba Michael’s Office Furnishings, he supports workplace, education, and healthcare organizations with high-quality commercial furniture solutions and dependable service from design through installation. Justin is also deeply connected to Nor-Cal Breast Cancer Connection’s mission, using his platform to promote awareness, compassion, and community support.
In his time away from work, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and fishing, exploring the sand dunes, and traveling.
Kathy Hammond
Board Member
Kathleen (Kathy) is a retired Registered Nurse who worked in the Mercy Medical Center ICU for 40 years.
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Kathy has been married to her husband Robert (Bob) for over 40 years, and they have two children. In 2010, Kathy was diagnosed with HER 2 positive breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and a targeted drug called Herceptin (which you take for a year in an IV), Kathy just wanted to have her life go back to normal. During the next year she had several friends and relatives tell her that they thought if you got breast cancer you always died. Kathy wanted to help women and their families know that early detection saves lives. By volunteering for Nor-Cal Breast Cancer Connection Kathy helps educate women and their families so they won’t be afraid.
Lori Meadows
Nor-Cal Breast Cancer Connection Coordinator
Lori is a Redding native who graduated from Humboldt State University with degrees in Psychology and Child Development. She worked as a crime victim advocate with the District Attorney’s Office for years, until becoming a mom to three boys. Since then, she has volunteered countless hours with her children’s school; and sits on the board for the school’s Education Foundation, which fundraises for educational opportunities for students and access to technology. Lori and her family love to travel, and enjoy all the outdoor activities the North State offers.
