President
Gen Chamblee
Gen Chamblee had worked in Real Estate in California for several years, before moving to New Mexico in 2007 to settle down. She has two children and works from home with a Fortune 500 Wellness Company.
In January 27, 2010, life changed. The Chamblee’s 21 month old daughter Sierra was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. For 11 months Gen watched her baby girl fight for her life every day, and was holding her the moment she became an angel on November 23, 2010.
From that day forward Gen decided to keep Sierra’s memory alive and help so many others who are beginning the fight, or are currently fighting, by creating The Sierra Rayn Foundation.
Vice President
Charles Chamblee
As co-founder of the foundation and father of Sierra, Charles Chamblee believes in educating the public, creating awareness and contributing funds to this most aggressive, awful cancer that claimed his daughter’s life in 2010. Charles served in the United States Navy for 6 years, before being medically retired in 2005. He has a degree in AutoCAD and has sat on the Board of Directors for his neighborhood association, and is very involved with the community.
Secretary
Devon Edwards
Devon grew up in Alaska and met her husband in college at Oregon State University. She has lived in New Mexico with her family since 2006, and is an occupational therapist specializing in geriatric care. She is also a stay-at-home mother of two little ones, Aaron and Katelyn, and has always had a soft spot for kids, especially since becoming a mother. Devon has been touched by the stories of parents helping their children fight cancer, and it hits her even more deeply now. Her career dream is to one day own a therapeutic horseback riding center. She loves spending time with her family, running, hiking, camping, reading, and striving to grow closer to Jesus Christ by serving and loving others.
Treasurer
Caryl Iseman
For nearly 40 yrs Caryl Iseman has been an involved member of the San Diego County community. She is actively involved in charitable groups such as the Nice Guys, a local non-profit that serves San Diegans with a hand up. Through her real estate and mortgage consultant business, she has helped many individuals achieve their dream of home ownership. In addition, she has served as a leader in the real estate industry by serving as Chair of committees at the local, statewide, and national levels. Caryl is the Treasurer of the SDAR Ambassador Foundation. She is very involved at all levels of the political spectrum, and has had many political appointments by San Diego City Council and the State legislature for boards and commissions. Sierra Rayn touched everyone with her spirit and strength in fighting her neuroblastoma cancer. She feels that the best way she can honor her is to help her foundation be successful.
Advisory Board
Dr. Stuart S. Winters, MD
Stuart S. Winters, MD completed his medical school training at the University of Wisconsin – Madison before entering a pediatric residency at the University of New Mexico. With a long-standing interest in molecular biology and childhood malignancies, he completed his fellowship training in pediatric hematology/oncology at Duke University Medical Center in 1995. Since then, Dr. Winter has been on the faculty of the University of New Mexico until present. He is currently a professor of pediatrics, the T. John Gribble Endowed Chair, and chief of the pediatric hematology/oncology division. As a long-standing member of the Children’s Oncology Group, Dr. Winter is dedicated to advancing the science that drives better outcomes for children who suffer from Neuroblastoma and other pediatric tumors.
Dr. Winters was also Sierra’s main oncologist, and went through the journey with her family. He was very touched by Sierra and highly impressed by the fight she put up, and was honored to sit on the board for the foundation.
Dr. Judy Villablanca, MD
Dr. Judy Villablanca is from Michigan, where she graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed her Pediatric residency at UCLA, followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the University of Minnesota. She has been on faculty at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles/University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine since 1989, where she is currently a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Her research has focused on novel therapies for neuroblastoma and clinical trials methodology. She has led multiple national trials for high risk neuroblastoma in the Children’s Oncology Group and the New Approaches to
Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) consortium. She was the first Medical Director of the NANT Operations Center from 2000-2010, and currently works on special projects in NANT.
Dr. Phil, MD & Cookie Leonardelli
Dr. Phil and Pastor Cookie are in private Pediatric practice in Rio Rancho, NM. They both hold International Licenses in Ministry and have spent time doing overseas medical missions. Pastor Cookie is the author of “You’ve Got to be Kidding” and Dr. Phil has been practicing Pediatrics for 36 years. Both were a big part of Sierra’s life as her Pediatrician and friends.