Our Team
Leadership
The people behind the mission.
Breast Connect is led by a dedicated group of survivors, advocates, and professionals who are deeply committed to improving the lives of breast cancer patients.
Our Staff
Breast Connect Team
Elizabeth Hancy
Interim Executive Director
Elizabeth Hancy is currently serving as the Interim Executive Director while Breast Connect searches for their new Executive Director.
Hope Ealey
Director of Development
Hope Ealey is a breast cancer survivor, wife, and mother of two elementary-aged girls who joined Breast Connect after the organization supported her through her own diagnosis and treatment for Invasive Lobular and Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer in 2023. At age 35, Hope underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, a hysterectomy, reconstruction, and endocrine therapy, and has been NED (No Evidence of Disease) since September 2023.
Professionally, Hope brings more than a decade of experience in public service, health communications, and nonprofit outreach. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Tennessee.
Stephanie Ewers
Director of Programs
Stephanie Buchanan Ewers is a Knoxville native and is proud to call Knoxville her forever home. Prior to leaving the corporate world in 2013, Stephanie enjoyed a rewarding 27-year career in the book industry. In spring of 2019, Stephanie was diagnosed with Paget's Disease of the Breast (a very rare form of breast cancer). Through a friend and survivor, she was introduced to Breast Connect.
Stephanie joined Breast Connect as administrative support in November 2019. She is honored to be a part of this organization that recognizes the need to provide a comfortable and safe place for breast cancer survivors to seek support, encouragement, information and camaraderie.
Governance
Board of Directors
Allen Pannell
President
Allen Pannell teaches Analytics in the Haslam School of Business at the University of Tennessee. Allen lost his wife Amy to breast cancer in 2014, which inspired him to change his dissertation to breast cancer research. Allen has been involved in the creation of Breast Connect since its inception.
Megan Zimbeck
Treasurer
Megan Zimbeck is the Controller for MasterCraft and has more than five years of experience in both external and internal auditing. She began her career in public accounting in Chicago with Plante Moran, PLLC, and later served as Lead Auditor for HF Capital, LLC in Knoxville. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Iowa State University and a Master's in Professional Accounting from Colorado State University.
Bonnie Strider
Secretary
Bonnie Barkley Strider transplanted from Ohio to Tennessee in 2001. She was a stay-at-home mom for 23 years and raised her greatest joy and accomplishment, her 2 wonderful children. Bonnie has served on several Boards in East Tennessee, including Mercy Health Partners Foundation, Shangrila Therapeutic Academy for Riders (STAR), and Trinity Health Foundation. She has dedicated much of her time over the last 25 years to fundraising for many local nonprofit organizations.
Nina Reineri
Director & President Emeritus
Nina Reineri is the founder of Breast Connect. She was diagnosed in 2011 with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. Two years later, after watching many in her circle of friends become diagnosed, she started "Happy Hour for a Cure" — which grew into Breast Connect.
Tyler McMurray
Director
Tyler McMurray is Chief Operating Officer for Visionary Horizons, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisory firm based in Knoxville. An experienced operational leader with a proven track record.
Jasmine Allmon
Director
Jasmine Allmon is a licensed beauty health and wellness professional, Aesthetician, Advanced Aesthetic educator, and the proud owner of Allmon Artistry, specializing in cosmetic and paramedical tattooing. She serves on the executive board for the Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals and was recognized as 2024's Member of the Year.
Kitty Cornett
Director
Kitty Cornett is an East Tennessee native and a recent retiree from the University of Tennessee, where she was employed for over 25 years, serving in various roles at the Haslam College of Business. Kitty now serves as the executive assistant to Mr. Breezy Wynn, President of Genesis Generation, Inc., a workforce development organization that targets under-served populations across the Appalachian region to build young leaders through zero-to-one systems.
Marty May
Director
Marty recently retired for the corporate world with40 years of management experience, primarily in quality. He currently is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor and a board member of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, the oldest continuously registered dance company in Tennessee.
Breast Connect put me in touch with the right doctors and the right resources right when they were needed. The comfort of knowing where to go for help and advice is invaluable.