Meet Your Komen Team in New Jersey!
We are excited to announce that the New Jersey team is growing! We hope to get to know you, but in the meantime we wanted to introduce ourselves. Starting from our newest team member, meet:
Candace Bravo, Development Director, New Jersey
Hello, my name is Candace Bravo, and I am beyond excited to join the Susan G. Komen team as the Development Director for New Jersey. Transferring from the New York team, I have been at Komen for over 2 years. I will be working alongside Chelsea Beecher, Raven Moreno, and Jeannette Wicks. I cannot wait to meet you and invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn in the meantime!
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
I am a true “Jersey Girl” — born and raised in southern New Jersey’s Camden County. My family moved to Virginia for a bit before returning and staying in New Jersey where I did all of my schooling. I attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and post-graduation, I spent 10 years living in New York City. I am now back living in northern New Jersey’s Essex County, in Newark, in my dream home with my husband and kids.
How did that happen?
My mother studied at and was employed at Rutgers University for many years, so it was a part of her legacy for me to attend, and I did! However, I knew that I wanted to live in the big and exciting New York City after graduation, and lucky I was able to make that dream come true by landing my first job not long after receiving my degree. Living and working in NYC was an exciting time of my life that prepared me for a successful trajectory in life and career.
Tell me more about how you ended up at Susan G. Komen.
After working in the agency world for many years in marketing/events/PR, a former colleague recommended me for a special events position with a nonprofit called Dress for Success Worldwide. I hit it off with my hiring manager and embarked on a new path in the nonprofit sector, which I grew to become very passionate about. I’ve now been in nonprofit for several years, which has led me to Komen.
Why Susan G. Komen New Jersey?
I chose to come to Susan G. Komen because the mission we are working towards each day is very meaningful to me. We are working to spread awareness, build community, provide care and resources, drive impact, and most importantly fund breakthrough research — all things that will benefit me, my sister, my mother, my daughter, or a friend.
And what do you like to do outside of Komen?
When I am not working, you can find me gardening or relaxing out on my porch or patio with a nice glass of wine or checking out the latest cool new restaurant since I’m a big foodie!
How can we reach you?
Email me at cbravo@komen.org
Call me at 332–334–0892
Raven Moreno, Development Manager, New Jersey
I started on the New Jersey team 1 month before the 2022 MORE THAN PINK Walk!
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
I am originally from Austin, Texas. Yup that’s right I am a true Texas girl at heart but now live in South Plainfield, NJ. The question I get the most is “why New Jersey?” and all I can say is that I have fallen for the east coast.
How did that happen?
Well, I went to college at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. I always knew that I wanted to be somewhere along the east coast for my college years and ended up in New Jersey. I loved my time at Rider; I studied International Business and Entrepreneurial Studies. During my time at Rider, I started working for a small non-profit out of Trenton which then grew my love for non-profit work.
Tell me more about that.
Freshman year of college I discovered a small non-profit named Minding Our Business, Inc. it focused on working with youth in Trenton and teaching them about creating a business. I worked there throughout college in different roles and really grew my love for working for non-profit. After graduation, I continued in non-profit at the United States Golf Association, then The National MS Society, United Way of Greater Union County and now Susan G. Komen.
Why Susan G. Komen New Jersey?
I chose to come to Susan G. Komen because I love the walk that is hosted every year. I want to be able to make a difference and create a fun but also empowering event for those affected by breast cancer.
And what do you like to do outside of Komen?
When I am not working, you can find me with my dog (Cleopatra) usually out walking or hiking. I love baking and creating yummy treats, so I am usually baking something a few times out of the month.
How can we reach you?
Email me at rmoreno@komen.org
Call me at 609–964–7253
Jeannette Wicks, Development Specialist, New Jersey
Hello there! My name is Jeannette Wicks and becoming a part of Susan G. Komen is a dream realized. I started as the Development Specialist for New Jersey & Pennsylvania in May 2022, but am now soley focused on New Jersey. It is a blessing to be a part of such a dynamic team. Looking forward to connecting in all ways possible, you can even check me out on LinkedIn.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
A born and raised Jersey Girl, I was born in Essex County, raised in Essex County, and continue to live in Essex County. What can I say, when I’m happy where I am, I stay!
Tell me more about where you came from.
The story is short and sweet, I’m a library fanatic — I love the library! I love to learn and immerse myself in information. Working in Development at the Library, I was a part of a team that provided invaluable services to the local community in Montclair, New Jersey. As time went by, I found I wanted to expand my passion for being of service to a broad population. I wanted to break out to do bigger endeavors and realized that my time at the library was coming to an end. That’s when the opportunity at Susan G. Komen came knocking on my door and I am so glad that I answered.
Why did you answer?
In early 2000, my cousin would call me on the phone and tell me about an amazing organization that focuses on advocating for women with breast cancer and asked me to participate in an event. When I arrived, I’d see thousands of women and families in pink, delighting in sharing their cancer survivor and thriver stories with such passion and enthusiasm– I’d stand in front of the podium watching and thinking, “How can I become a part of this movement?” The energy was palpable. These were my kind of people. Years later, here I am! Not only standing in essence AT the podium, but also enjoying every moment at Susan G. Komen.
And, why Susan G. Komen specifically?
I have had family and friends diagnosed with cancer throughout the years. One of the hardest things I’ve faced was when my friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and I didn’t know how to be there for her. I was uninformed. I wish I had the information I have now. When loved ones are going through tough times, I want to be there for them the best I can and have the tools and resources to give support. Now I have the chance to make an impact on the underserved and misrepresented.
And what do you like to do outside of Komen?
A sneak peek into my life outside of Komen resides a multifaceted individual.
· Tea drinker — coffee doesn’t taste very good to me, but I enjoy the smell of it.
· Avid power walker, nature lover
· I sing to almost every 90’s pop song, however, I can’t hold a note to save my life.
· Reading, writing, music, laughter. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
· I enjoy cooking and am known as a great home baker.
· A fan of HGTV and Hallmark Networks. When I first got on social media, I’d talk to anyone who was listening and would comment on shows that I was watching, even catching the attention of Oprah, Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger, and the original voice of Siri — Susan Bennett. On more than one occasion, I have had the pleasure of meeting hosts Property Brothers & Buying and Selling, Jonathan, and Drew Scott.
· I look forward to becoming a dog pet parent and having stamps on my passport.
There’s so much more, let me show you — here’s how…
How can we reach you?
Email me: jwicks@komen.org
Let’s Connect: 862–955–2920
Chelsea Beecher, Executive Director, New Jersey
I started at Komen in January 2021, in the midst of the organization restructuring and worked closely alongside Suzanne Corson and Gina Vinch as we navigated out of the pandemic. I helped to bring back Komen’s first in-person Walks for New Jersey, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh after COVID as the Development Director and was recently promoted to Executive Director. I look forward to continuing to our mission driven work in 2023 and beyond.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
I’ve come full circle. I was born in the Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus, NJ, then grew up down the shore in Sea Girt, and found myself back in Secaucus across the street from the hospital I was born in!
How did that happen?
My grandfather graduated from Seton Hall University in the 1930s. I followed in his footsteps, becoming a Pirate myself, with the dream to work in New York City. I started interning at the American Heart Association in NYC to complete my Master of Public Administration & Nonprofit Management degree and ended up staying up north for an easier commute.
Tell me more about that.
I was hired out of my internship and continued to grow my nonprofit career at the American Heart Association in midtown Manhattan for over 5 years on the Go Red for Women movement and other campaigns, and then moved downtown with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society before the pandemic brought me back home.
Why Susan G. Komen New Jersey?
It’s about time I give my own state some love! There’s been a lot of cancer in my family, and my Aunt Annette is a breast cancer survivor. I know there are so many people depending on us to fund better treatments and cures. I dedicate my work to my family and all others who have been affected by breast cancer or other cancers. I hope the impact I make will allow people to create more happy memories and have more time with their loved ones.
And, what do you like to do outside of Komen?
When I’m not working to end breast cancer, you might find me either training Muay Thai (the martial art of Thailand) at 8 Venoms in Teaneck, NJ or possibly even underwater somewhere. I am a NAUI Scuba Instructor with my dive team, Scuba Connection in Bergenfield, NJ, but we dive out of Dutch Springs, PA and Key Largo, FL. I’ve also gone diving in Puerto Rico, Mexico’s Cenotes, Disney’s Epcot Aquarium, the Thousand Islands, the Vandenberg ship wreck in Key West, and hope to adventure to many more places in my life!
How can we reach you?
Email me: CBeecher@komen.org
Say hello: 973–536–1251
