Our Leadership - Hodgkin's International

Board of Directors

We began as a group of former cancer patients looking for answers.

Founded in 2016, Hodgkin’s International was born out of the need for connection, support, and reliable information. Co-founders Erin Cummings and Dolly Griffin, along with many dedicated and determined Hodgkin’s survivors, were in search of a solution to some unusual medical problems occurring years after treatment. Our regular doctors were often befuddled and did not know how to help us. We were forced to find answers within our Hodgkin’s community, sharing our experiences, and often learning what to expect from each other instead of our clinicians. Hodgkin’s International was established so that we could do better than that. We came together to provide our fellow survivors with up-to-date news about what we now understand to be late effects. Most importantly, we came together to provide a welcoming and compassionate home for survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma.

ERIN GEDDIS CUMMINGS, MSW, LCSW

Executive Director, Co-founder

Erin has been a cancer survivor for more than 50 years. Diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s in 1972 at the age of 15, Erin underwent surgery, radiation, and MOPP chemotherapy. She had two recurrences of the disease and has had multiple late effects over the years. Erin holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and is a Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW). She worked for many years as a volunteer and instructor with the Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program in Lincoln, MA. She lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard island in Massachusetts.

ERIN GEDDIS CUMMINGS, MSW, LCSW

Executive Director, Co-founder

Read Bio

KARLA GUERERRI

Karla was diagnosed with HL as a teenager in 1976 and treated with surgery and mantle radiation. She has experienced a variety of late effects and explored allopathic solutions and complementary therapies in order to live a healthy life. Karla is an educator with a lifelong career in New York State public schools. She has been involved with HL survivorship advocacy and support since 2013. She lives in New York State’s Capital District.

KARLA GUERERRI

Read Bio

SANDRA (SANDI) M. LIBERATORI, ESQ.

While studying law in 1983, Sandi was diagnosed with HL. After a lymphangiogram and a staging laparotomy, she was treated with radiation and went on to finish her education and start a career. Twenty-five years later she began her ongoing struggle with a series of late effects. Sandi continues to practice law since 1985, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

SANDRA (SANDI) M. LIBERATORI, ESQ.

Read Bio

SOPHIA SMITH, PH.D

Sophia was diagnosed with HL as a teenager in 1975 and treated with MOPP/ABVD and radiation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. She has experienced a variety of late effects including breast cancer diagnosis in 1996. Following this second cancer diagnosis, Sophia left a successful career in information technology at IBM to pursue her MSW and PhD in social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is an Associate Professor at the Duke School of Nursing where she teaches and conducts research that blends her love for technology with a passion for helping others.

SOPHIA SMITH, PH.D

Read Bio

KATHERINE STEVENSON

Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 16 in 1988, she was treated with mantle radiation; two years later, stage 3B, with a splenectomy, LOPP/EVAP chemotherapy. She has experienced a number of long-term effects, including breast cancer and heart and lung issues. Katherine currently lives in the UK working as a Counsellor & Assistant Manager for a Young People’s Counselling Service and administrates a Facebook support group for the Late Effects of Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment. She was also on Macmillan’s Patient reference group for “The Consequences of Treatment/VMDT project.”

KATHERINE STEVENSON

Read Bio

TESS NOWELL

Tess was diagnosed with stage 1A HL in 1982 at the age of 18, early in her medical training. She was treated with splenectomy and mantle field radiotherapy. She lives and works as a general practitioner in Oxfordshire, England, and has a special interest in end of life care. Because of her personal insights into late effects, she feels passionate about education and provision of information to healthcare professionals and patients alike.

TESS NOWELL

Read Bio

CATHY PIPCHO

Cathy was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 1989 at the age of 29. She was treated with mantle radiotherapy but suffered a recurrence in 1993 when her first daughter was born. ABVD chemo followed, as well as the birth of her second daughter. In 2007, Cathy was diagnosed with an invasive breast cancer. She has had a number of additional late effects from her earlier cancer treatment. Cathy has had a career in Aerospace Materials Management and in working for orthopedic surgeons. She is now enjoying a “retirement job” doing merchandising for a specialty deli. Cathy has volunteered for many cancer organizations since her diagnosis. She lives in north east Pennsylvania.

CATHY PIPCHO

Read Bio

Meet our Staff

We would not be able to achieve our mission without the support of our staff.

Kieran Chapman

Development Lead & Technology Consultant

With over 25 years of experience specializing in user-centric web design, user interface design, and custom web development, Kieran works at the intersection of design and development. Kieran specializes in website, web application, and mobile app design, front-end web development (including responsive/mobile web development), user interface design and heuristic reviews.

Bringing a strong work ethic, as well as an on-time and on-budget work style, his contributions have made an impact for a number of clients in a variety of industries. He continually focuses on the success of the solutions he can provide, success for his clients and of the clients’ customers and product users with the fewest barriers possible. His work has included development for a number of established institutions, biotech and venture capital sites, including Social Capital, Resolute Ventures, F7 Ventures, NextVivo, Flashpoint Ventures, Harvard Innovation Labs, Mass Power Choice, and Ballet Rhode Island.

Based in southeastern Massachusetts, he has worked with clients across the United States. In his personal time, you can find him spending time with his family, curling, gardening, or occasionally riding flatland on his BMX bike.

Kieran Chapman

Development Lead & Technology Consultant

Read Bio

ANASTASIA FORREST

Director, Social Media

Anastasia Forrest has been working social media magic for Hodgkin’s International since 2024. Anastasia is a passionate advocate for comprehensive survivorship care and spreading the word about late effects. She is also enthusiastic about sobriety, creativity, and enjoying life with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time, Anastasia helps people find “Home” as a Licensed Real Estate Broker, sews clothing and pouches, and self-publishes books and music. As a younger survivor, Anastasia’s voice and experience is crucial in understanding the needs of ALL Hodgkin’s survivors.

ANASTASIA FORREST

Director, Social Media

Read Bio

RACHEL GINGOLD

Director, Communications, Marketing & Outreach

In 1989, at the age of 24, Rachel was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma as she was beginning her career as an Optical Engineer. Treated with mantle radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she has since experienced several long-term effects such as breast cancer and radiation fibrosis. Throughout her career, Rachel has worn many hats, including working as a technical project manager and starting her own business in 2002 as a muralist, furniture refinisher, and painting teacher. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and enjoys connecting in person with her fellow survivors.

RACHEL GINGOLD

Director, Communications, Marketing & Outreach

Read Bio

BRIANA HASERICK

Creative Director

As a creative professional with 20+ years experience, Briana strives to design in a manner that makes information easy to find, understand, and digest. Her expertise has been helping support Hodgkin’s International in their mission to make hard to find, up-to-date information accessible – specifically with her work on the website. Briana owns a small design studio outside of Boston.

BRIANA HASERICK

Creative Director

Read Bio

Help us to reach Hodgkin lymphoma survivors worldwide with life-saving information, resources and support.

Donate today!