Our History
Our History
Six years after losing my mother to a decade-long fight against breast cancer, I resolved to find an aspect of the disease where I could honor my mother’s memory and make a difference for other families fighting their own battles with breast cancer. For eighteen years, brave survivors and those walking in memory or celebration have become models at the Runway fashion show. They have raised funds to help families who are dealing with the impact of this disease. As survivors, the models epitomize heroism and strength. They carry with them the spirits of all those who have lost their battle with breast cancer, and the families and communities that stood by them.
Unlike most nonprofits focused on breast cancer, Runway is not oriented toward a cure. Instead, we seek to improve the lives of those who are currently affected by breast cancer by serving as a platform for them to access the resources, knowledge, and support they need. Our mission is rooted in the understanding that no one experiences breast cancer alone, and that there are ways to ease the burden of this disease on parents, children, caregivers, and loved ones. We seek to celebrate and highlight the lives of those affected by breast cancer by motivating communities to support local families and directing funding towards services that significantly improve the lives of children and caregivers along their family's journey with breast cancer.
Until there is a cure, we will continue the work of honoring the survivors and funding the families of those impacted by breast cancer. Thank you for being an integral part of this organization's history and our future.
Founder, Executive Director of Runway
Our Team
Olivia Boger
Founder and Executive Director
Olivia Boger In July of 2019, Olivia Boger started her role as the full-time Executive Director of Runway for Recovery. After fifteen years in education, working as both an educator and an administrator at three different independent schools, Olivia transitioned to this role to pursue her dream of running her non-profit on a full-time basis. In 2007 after earning her Master’s in Education from Harvard Education School, Olivia established Runway for Recovery to honor her mother who passed away from breast cancer in 2001. With the support of a highly-engaged volunteer committee, Olivia ran R4R for the next decade while raising her own children and working in education. Olivia lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, Andy, their three elementary-aged sons, and their chocolate lab, Harry Potter.
Addison Boger
High School Intern (Spring 2024)
Addison Boger Addison Boger has been involved with Runway for 10 years, both as a model and a volunteer. She modeled for the first time in 2018 with her brother and cousins as a legacy. She is a senior intern from Concord Carlisle High School and will be attending the College of Charleston in South Carolina in the fall. Addison plans to major in Elementary Education and Psychology. She is thrilled to have this experience to deepen her understanding of Runway.
Sue Burke, RN, MSN, CCM
Care Team, New England
Sue Burke has had the honor of volunteering for Runway for the past 2 years. As a member of the Care Team, she has had the privilege of meeting with so many courageous and deserving applicants and to work with the most dynamic and dedicated Runway Team. Sue retired from a forty-year nursing career at Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston where she began as a pediatric staff nurse on the Reconstructive Unit and in later years as a Case Manager. Sue also participated in leadership roles in community education and outreach. She has found purpose in Runway to continue working with families through advocacy and outreach and is so grateful to continue this opportunity for many years to come. Sue lives in Charlestown, MA and treasures spending time with her children and five granddaughters.
Jill DeBenedetto
Care Team New York
Jill DeBenedetto has been a part of Runway since April of 2020. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts and an Independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey . She has over 7 years of experience providing therapy to families, children, adolescents and young adults. Jill graduated from Roanoke College [BA in Psychology and BA in Philosophy] and Smith College [MSW.] Jill is deeply invested in her work and is grateful to be a part of an organization that provides support to individuals during their most challenging moments. Jill currently resides in New Jersey where she enjoys rock climbing and hiking adventures.
Chris DeFilippi
Strategy and Data Director
Chris DeFilippi has spent the last ten years helping schools, startups, and non-profits create scaleable, repeatable and sustainable processes. His consulting firm, Hazen Consulting Group, helps startup interested in implementing Salesforce, non-profits looking to learn more about your donors, schools who want to understand enrollment trends, and much more. He is a passionate supporter of both breast cancer organizations and female run businesses having served on many boards that dedicate themselves to women's health and equity issues. He lives in Cornwall, NY with his finace, Austin, and their adorable dog, Rocky. He and Austin have also recently founded Rocky Bagels - must try for those in the Hudson Valley.
Michelle Fernandes
Care Team, Southern California
Michelle Fernandes has been a member of the Care Team since January 2023. She is a California state licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of clinical experience and program development serving children, youth and families in various non-profit mental health settings, with special focus on trauma. Michelle made the leap to academia in 2015 and is a full-time lecturer in the graduate Department of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton. With a flexible schedule, Michelle is grateful to be able to provide advocacy and support to families impacted by MBC and collaborate with the amazing Runway team. She feels privileged to bear witness to the stories of incredible grantees and is inspired by their perseverance. Michelle lives in Los Angeles county with her husband and their 17-year-old son and two cats. Their 21-year-old daughter attends university in San Diego, California and they all love to visit her at the beach.
Max Gutierrez
Care Team, Southern California
Maximiliano Gutierrez started working with the R4R family in December of 2023. Max is currently an Associate Clinical Social Worker working towards his Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, and has experience working in applied behavioral analysis, with system impacted individuals, and in in-patient psychiatric hospitalization settings. He has always had a passion for working with underrepresented individuals and bridging the gap between mental health and the Latinx community. Max is grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with the members, families, and the supportive team of R4R. He graduated from California State University Fullerton with his BA and MSW and currently lives in Los Angeles County.
Katy Hylton
Marketing Intern
Katy Hylton is a senior at the University of Miami studying marketing and management with a minor in interactive media. She is working with Runway for Recovery through the summer as a marketing intern and is grateful for the opportunity to work more with non-profits and gain marketing experience in a niche field of interest. Katy previously interned for a marketing agency in Miami and assisted with product placement, event coordination, and social media marketing.
Ann Marks
Marketing Director
Ann Marks brings over 15 years of graphic design and marketing experience to Runway. After studying Art History and Architecture at Trinity College she continued her education in Graphic Design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has worked for a variety of companies as both an in-house and freelance designer. She is constantly inspired by the team at Runway, along with the models and families served, to create designs that support the mission of this amazing organization. Ann lives in Newburyport with her husband and children.
Whitney Mohler
Director of Development
Whitney Mohler, a Grant Writing and Development Consultant, brings 15 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience to the Runway team. Prior to becoming an independent consultant in 2017, she held various development positions at both The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in San Francisco, and Citizen Schools in Boston. At Runway, she is responsible for the organization’s corporate and foundation fundraising, including all grant writing and reporting. Whitney holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Colorado in International Affairs, and a Master of Science from Northeastern University in Nonprofit Management. She lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts with her husband and two young children.
Caroline O'Donnell
Communications & Social Media Director
Caroline O’Donnell has been with Runway since its inception when she was 16-years old. Since then, her role has grown to include managing Runway’s social media and writing the blog. She considers it a great privilege to be trusted to tell the stories of the women, children, and families impacted by breast cancer in the Runway community. Caroline earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of the Holy Cross. She is currently the Director of Client Services at Catalyst Financial Partners and was previously with BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Caroline lives in the North End in Boston and when not working enjoys triathlons and running, most recently completing the 2021 Boston Marathon-raising money for the TB12 Foundation.
Jessie Reardon
Retreat Program Coordinator
Jessie Reardon is passionate about making connections, and that's exactly what she loves to do at Runway. Jessie supports the Rally for Runway programs which network our Runway community with local fitness studios. She also supports the annual Recovery Retreat for Runway Models, a once-a-year opportunity to come together and connect outside of the Runway Show. Jessie is also a fitness instructor at Fuel Training Studio, one of Runway’s favorite Rally partners. She lives in Newburyport with her husband and three children.
MaryLou Seitz
Care Team New England
MaryLou Seitz joined Runway for Recovery as a volunteer in 2019 and is drawn to Runway’s Mission and the privilege to work with strong and resilient Runway Families and the Runway Care Team. Mary Lou is a licensed Certified Social Worker and has over 40 years of experience as Directorof Resident Services providing supportive services in both private and public affordable mixed income housing. She graduated from Northeastern University and earned a Master of Social Work from Boston University School of Social Work as well as a Master of City Planning. She lives with her husband Charlie and enjoys time with her children and four grandsons.
Board of Directors
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