Colorectal Cancer Coalition

C3 Staff

You may contact any C3 staff member by sending an email to FirstName.LastName@FightColorectalCancer.org.

Carlea Bauman, President: Carlea brings over 15 years of experience in communications, politics and advocacy to C3. As the National Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the American Diabetes Association (ADA), she directed ADA’s “Call to Congress: Conquer Diabetes,” which brought hundreds of diabetes advocates to Capitol Hill each election year. Prior to that, she was the Press Secretary for the groundbreaking Florida “Truth” Campaign, an initiative that resulted in a 10 percent drop in teen smoking within a single year. Her passion for health advocacy is personal: she lost her mother to diabetes and her father to cancer. Carlea got her start in politics working for the late Florida Governor Lawton Chiles and, later, at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, DC. Carlea is a proud graduate of Florida State University and resides in Fairfax, VA, with her husband, Geoff Bishop.

Judi Sohn, Vice President of Operations: Judi’s journey into colorectal cancer advocacy began in 1999 when her father died of stage IV colorectal cancer just nine months after diagnosis. She was a founding member of the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), responsible for CCA’s initial visual communication strategy. For C3, Judi manages and designs all print and online publications, manages and maintains the ever-growing website and directs information technology. A passionate advocate, Judi founded a nonprofit organization devoted to families of children with special needs. Prior to joining C3 fulltime, Judi was owner and principle of a successful freelance graphic design firm.

Ben Basloe, Director of Development: Ben brings over eight years of experience in the nonprofit field.  Most recently, he spent four years with the American Diabetes Association as a special events fundraiser; responsible for the America’s Walk for Diabetes, Annual Golf Outing and the Father of the Year Awards Dinner.  Prior to the ADA, Ben worked for more than four years with the NFL Players Association’s legal department. In 2001, Ben participated in the Washington, DC Light the Night Walk benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of his father whom he lost to cancer in September 1998.  He was the largest individual fundraiser, raising more than $10,000.  He was then asked to sit on the Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Light the Night Committee for the 2002 Light the Night Walk.  Ben graduated from American University in Washington, DC in 1998 and currently resides in Arlington, VA with his wife, Mary Elise, teenage stepson Grayson and his 3-year-old son Aidan.

Kate Murphy, Director of Research Communication: Kate Murphy is a 25-year colorectal cancer survivor committed to providing easily understood information for colorectal cancer patients and their families. As an advocate, she provides a voice for patients in many national settings. Knowledge, she says, can break the desperate cycle of helplessness and hopelessness. She currently serves as listmom on ACOR.org’s colon cancer discussion list and writes and edits C3’s popular Research News & Events Updates at www.FightColorectalCancer.org/news. As a research advocate, Kate sits on numerous patient advocate committees, has participated in AACR’s Scientist<->Survivor program, and represents C3 at meetings across the globe.

Kim Ryan, Director of Patient Information Services: Kim’s 15 plus years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry makes her an incredible asset to the C3 team and to the development and management of C3’s Answer Line at 877-4CRC-111 (877-427-2111). Her expertise ranges from patient advocacy to sales and marketing to product distribution and communications – primarily within the oncology arena. C3 welcomes her breadth of knowledge regarding colorectal cancer as well as her personal passion for helping patients gain valuable information about their diagnoses and treatment options. Her commitment to C3 stems from not only her previous work experience, but from personal loss: Kim’s father, Lt. General Martin J. Ryan, Jr. (USAF, Ret), died from colon cancer in 2005.

Joe Arite, Director of Policy: Joe brings an extensive background in health policy and grassroots advocacy work. He was previously the Manager of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Men’s Health Network (MHN), a DC based nonprofit organization. During his time at MHN he focused primarily on issues dealing with access to preventative health care. He has also been an active member of One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) where he assisted in the organization of Lobby Days along with serving on the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Joe began his career working for Representative Vito Fossella of New York. He is originally from Toledo, OH and is a graduate of the University of Toledo.

Last Update: May 8, 2009