Board of Directors

Kelly Boatright: President

Kelly is a Senior Marketing Manager at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta. Her non-profit experience stems from her collegiate days at Texas A&M University overseeing the largest student-run service project in the nation, The Big Event. As Director of The Big Event, she was responsible for all facets of the program: public relations, marketing, fundraising, student involvement and community involvement.

Her OC inspiration: "I lost my mom to ovarian cancer in 2004. I know there's early detection right around the corner that could save the next woman's life and spare her family from enduring a heart-felt loss. I know how excited my mom was to hear about my involvement as an Ovarian Cycle participant in 2004 and would be proud of even greater contributions now. The board's commitment to our mission and the cause makes me very proud to be a part of such an amazing organization."

Contact: kelly.boatright@ovariancycle.org

Bethany Diamond: Founder, Member at Large

Bethany Diamond, well-known Atlanta fitness instructor and member of the Nautilus Fitness Academy, recently experienced a personal loss due to ovarian cancer. She envisioned an event that would revolutionize ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment by promoting research, while inspiring hundreds of people to become more fit and healthy as they contribute to the cause.

Contact: bethany@ovariancycle.org

Kathy Shemaria Canales: Club Recruitment

Kathy is a native Atlantan, who graduated from the University of Georgia, and has volunteered with many organizations throughout the city. She spent 14 years in the corporate world as a Sales and Marketing Manager in the advertising and consulting fields. In 1998, she became a Certified Spinning Instructor, teaching up to 5 classes a week. In 1999, she left a lucrative Account Manager position with an IT Consulting firm to pursue her love of fitness, becoming a full time Personal Trainer. Her philosophy is creating a fitness lifestyle, making health and well-being a priority and permanent part of your life. In 2001, she added Sports Performance Nutrition to her education, enhancing the information she brings to her clients.

My OC inspiration: "Bethany Diamond! Creating an event around indoor cycling (which is my first love) that supports an important and often over-looked woman's issue was all it took for me. This event is so inspirational, and perfect for a feminist like me. Ride once and you are hooked!"

Contact: kathy.shemaria.canales@ovariancycle.org

Carla Dunn: Public Relations

Contact: carla.dunn@ovariancycle.org

Kelli Erbar: Sponsorship

Kelli is originally from the Kentucky / Ohio area and moved to Atlanta in April 2000 while in Sales with Delta Air Lines. She has over twenty years in the travel and tourism industry and her background includes Communications, Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Kelli presently serves as a Call Center Director and past experiences include creating three small businesses, content marketing management, and travel agency owner in Cincinnati Ohio and Executive Director of the Middletown (Butler County) Convention and Visitors Bureau. Kelli’s travels include internationally to 37 countries and to 46 United States. Kelli’s sports interests include SCUBA, parasailing, bungee jumping and University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball. She enjoys bicycling and golfing with her husband and swimming, ballet and theatre with her daughter. She has also mentored children in the inner city through Junior League. Kelli’s experiences and contacts make her perfect for handling all aspects of our OC Corporate Sponsorship area. She considers herself fortunate to be able to provide this service to such a great organization as Ovarian Cycle. Her OC inspiration: “Her mother, Deanna Baker Hardeman MacMullan, and her grandmother, Minnie Christian Baker, both died of Ovarian Cancer. She is passionate about our cause and in finding a cure for this “Silent Killer.” She wants to take steps in making a difference so she and her daughter and all those in our future do not have to suffer and undergo all those treatments her mother and grandmother did. If you are interested in sponsoring Ovarian Cycle through a corporate donation, please contact Kelli. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make an astounding difference in helping our researchers in finding a cure."

Contact: kelli.erbar@ovariancycle.org

Katherine McLeod Gurd: Secretary

Katherine McLeod Gurd is a water resources engineer with Manhard Consulting, a civil engineering consulting firm. Originally from Alabama, she moved to the Atlanta area in 1993 and is a graduate of Georgia Tech. Having previously served in leadership roles with several local professional engineering organizations, she felt compelled to join a cause where she had more a personal connection. Her OC Inspiration: “I joined the ride in 2008 in memory of my aunt who passed after a 14-year battle with Ovarian Cancer. What I didn’t expect was I became so inspired by the event itself! Each week, with every training ride, I felt physically stronger and more confident. The ride challenged me to a new level of fitness, and after my first ride I was not only hooked, but knew I had to get more involved with this organization.”

Contact: katherine.mcleod.gurd@ovariancycle.org

Rose Stransky Merrick: Rider Recruitment

Cecile Leah Stransky lost her battle to Ovarian Cancer in 1988. Diagnosed in 1985 – I had never heard of this cancer – I wasn’t alone in that arena. Not until Gilda Radners’ book “It’s Always Something” was published did Ovarian Cancer cause a stir. In 2005 I heard about Ovarian Cycle and immediately it hit home with me. My first thought was I want to ride for the memory of my Mom. My second motivation was to try to work off some baby fat I was carrying having just given birth a few months prior to Cydney Leah, she was named for my Mother. Cydney was a miracle birth after 5 consecutive miscarriages and doctors telling me my “eggs were not good - adopt”. It made sense to me, my Mom had unhealthy ovaries…. I must too. I was to believe this. The day following the 6 hour event I found out I was pregnant with baby #2 – soon to be known as Brittan Taylor. My ovaries and eggs were VERY HEALTHY. But No wonder I didn’t lose a lb.

Born in Long Island New York. Went to college in Upstate NY – OswegoState University. I moved to Atlanta in 1987. Worked for MCann-Erickson Advertising Agency until 1990. It was then that I started my own business in creative marketing. I began a promotional products company - Designables, Inc. I designed “The Rebel T” to honor my mother. I love what I do, I love creating and selling and helping companies devise a creative marketing strategy. Other then my 2 girls, this is the greatest job I have ever had. Volunteering for OC - I do it for my 2 beautiful daughters.

Contact: rose.stransky.merrick@ovariancycle.org

Donna Narducci: Executive Director

Donna Marie Narducci is the Executive Director of Ovarian Cycle. Ms. Narducci has over 16 years experience in fund raising, event planning and non-profit management. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Atlanta Pride Committee, Inc. the non-profit organization that produces the annual PRIDE Celebration for Atlanta’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Narducci graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Visual Art and later earned a Master of Education degree from Georgia State University. She grew up in Miami, FL and moved to Atlanta in 1985. She currently resides in the Northlake/Tucker area with her partner of 4 years and their 4-legged children.

Contact: donna.narducci@ovariancycle.org

Barbara Arogeti Perlis: Treasurer

Contact: barbara.arogeti.perlis@ovariancycle.org

Ellen Mezritch Fruchtman: Marketing & P.R.

Ellen, a native Atlantan, is a veteran Communications and Public Relations Executive. Her track record in building strategic communications platforms includes her most recent work with the national rebranding of Macy’s stores. As a graduate of University of Georgia and Pace Academy, Ellen has deep roots in the Atlanta community. OC Inspiration: My lifelong friend, Debbie Green Flamm, died of Ovarian Cancer in 2003. For years prior to her diagnosis, she experienced symptoms that were real, yet so vague that they went undiagnosed. By the time her illness was detected, her disease was advanced. Several years later, my aunt relived that same experience. I believe that Ovarian Cycle’s signature cycling events will help lead to the early detection of Ovarian Cancer.

Contact: ellen.mezritch.fruchtman@ovariancycle.org

Stacy Hudgins: Rider Recruitment

Stacy grew up in Maryland and is new to the Atlanta area. She attended the University of Alabama where she received her BS in Human Nutrition, and her MA in Health Science. Roll Tide! Stacy has been a Registered Dietitian for 10 years and her background includes managing a wellness center, consulting for a health club, instructing at local community colleges, and serving as a clinical dietitian for both acute and long term care facilities. She currently lives in Norcross with her husband and 9 month old daughter. Her OC inspiration: "My Mom.... she passed away in June of this year. She would be thrilled to know about my involvement with OC, and I know she will be cheering me on! I pray that we can find early detection for myself, my daughter, my sister, my friends.... and I know my Mom wants that too!"

Contact: stacy.hudgins@ovariancycle.org