Board of Directors

When Singleton Moms began in 2006 Andy and Jody looked to their friends and family for support. Since that time the organization has grown; Andy and Jody branched out into the community and found several talented professionals willing to lend their skills, commit their time and come on board. The success and growth of the organization over the past three years is due to the drive of the Board. These individuals have helped Andy and Jody mold Singleton Moms into what it is today. With the time, talents and heart of current and future board members, the organization will mature into an invaluable asset to the community.

If you think you can contribute to the organization and can commit time and effort to this very worthy cause, please consider joining the Singleton Moms Board. Please complete this application form and send to jody@singletonmoms.org, your application will be considered and you may be asked to meet with the board.

Jody Farley-Berens ¦ Andy Royal ¦ Ginnie Rowe ¦ Kristin Graziano ¦ Chris Gorman ¦ Victoria Perkins ¦ Susan Gallagher

Jody Farley-Berens

Co-Founder and Executive Director

From the moment she co-founded Singleton Moms, Jody has thrown herself 100 percent into helping single mothers with cancer.

“The phrase “single mom with cancer” never entered my mind until I saw it for myself,” Jody said. “When our long-time friend Michelle Singleton was diagnosed, it was devastating and completely unnerving as I was only 27 years old and a mother myself. Although I was not a single mom, I couldn’t imagine facing mortality at such a young age while continuing to be a positive force in your children’s lives.”

As Executive Director, Jody oversees the day-to-day operations of Singleton Moms and she also serves as Fundraising Committee Chair. She is responsible for the original structure of the Singleton Moms’ programs “Michelle's Pockets” and “Michelle's Kitchen,” and she is working to expand the “Singleton Kids” program. Passionate about her work, she spends countless hours seeking financial support for these programs through fundraising, sponsorships, and general donations.

“I believe that not supporting these families can have devastating effects for many years to come,” she said. “It has been proven time and time again that stress weakens the immune system. Reducing the amount of stress and anxiety a mom feels while undergoing treatment by supplying her with financial and domestic support can aide in her recovery. Not to mention the importance of the emotional support that each mom receives from her care coordinator and others in the organization. These bonds can exceed far beyond treatment and become life-long relationships. Our unique and refreshing approach helps fill the needs of this underserved population.”

Jody believes in the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," and with every fundraising event or program, she strives to rally community support.

“Single moms with cancer need an extra hand, even more so than the average mom. Their children are a part of our future, and they deserve to know that others are here to support them and want them to succeed, especially through adversity,” she said.

An Arizona native and graduate of Arcadia High School, Jody was the originator of the Singleton Moms “Lean on Me Walk,” the “Michelle Singleton Memorial Golf Classic,” and the first “Singleton Moms Wine Tasting and Silent Auction.” For the first few years, she spearheaded Singleton Moms publicity efforts, which led to numerous positive print and television news pieces.

In April 2009, Jody was recognized by Soroptimist International of Phoenix as the second place winner for the Making a Difference for Women Award. In May 2010, she and Singleton Moms co-founder, Andy Royal, were the award recipients of the Soroptimist International of the Kachinas Ruby Award.

A true visionary, Jody has two long-term goals she wishes to see achieved for Singleton Moms.

“The first is to see our services expanded outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The second is to open Singleton Manor, a multi-use facility that would be used as a home base for our daily operations as well as house programs, such as “Michelle’s Kitchen,” “Michelle’s Pockets,” “Singleton Kids,” and care coordinator training. Ultimately, this facility would become a sanctuary for single moms recovering from difficult treatment or cancer related surgery,” she said.

Jody finds inspiration from Singleton Moms’ brave single mothers and she hopes others will lend their support either by making a donation or volunteering.

“Hands-on, aide-based organizations that focus on the daily necessities of people in need are few and far between,” she said. “So many organizations seem afraid to get “too involved” in the lives of those they serve. Singleton Moms’ approach is quite the opposite. The more involved we are, the more we can help, and the better we can support the families we serve.”

A Scottsdale resident, Jody has been married for 12 years and has three beautiful children. When she’s not working on Singleton Moms projects, she works part-time at the front desk of her daughter's dance studio and volunteers at her children’s school whenever possible. She also loves to find time to read a good book or take her children to the zoo for a day of fun.

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Andy Royal

Co-Founder and Care Director

When a single mother with cancer reaches out to Singleton Moms for support, Andy Royal is the proverbial rock they can hold onto during rough waters.

As Singleton Moms Co-founder and Care Director, Andy takes charge of each mom’s personal challenges as they relate to day-to-day tasks that often become overwhelming during treatment, such as keeping a clean household and paying bills.

After an extensive telephone interview, Andy visits each mom to assess her needs and devise a plan of action. “Sometimes a mom is shy but it usually does not take long to get her to open up and understand that she doesn’t have to ask for help. We’re going to help, whether she asks for it or not. We have an army of people that are ready to help,” Andy said.

In her role as Care Director, Andy manages 15 care coordinators who each provide personalized support to some 30 moms annually. She also manages “Michelle’s Pockets,” the non-profit’s financial assistance program and coordinates “Michelle’s Clean-up Crew,” her favorite program.

“I really believe a clean house is a major stress-reliever, and our goal is to minimize stress and help our moms focus on recovery,” she said. “I love the fact that so many volunteers embrace this program. We have had 15 volunteers show up at one home. We surface clean but we also deep clean, which I think makes a bigger impact. Sometimes it is hard for a mom to grasp the idea that a complete stranger wants to clean her bathroom. People really do want to help, and all of our moms have been very appreciative.”

“Michelle’s Pockets” also helps reduce stress. Currently, each Singleton Mom receives $300 per month in financial assistance applied directly towards her bills. Andy hopes increased donor support will expand the program to help more moms at $500 per month.

At the start of each month, Andy calls each mom to determine what billsneed to be paid. “This enables me to check in with them again and see how they are doing,” she said. Sometimes she will spend a full day paying all of the bills, but she considers it to be a labor of love, especially since it helps ease each mom’s mind and helps them to focus on recovery. “None of our moms ever get cash. They tell me what bills need to be paid, such as the mortgage, rent, utilities, or hospital bills, and I pay them online or I make the check out to the appropriate party,” she explained.

Another favorite program is “Michelle’s Phonebook,” which provides a comprehensive database of donated professional services. Andy serves as liaison between the moms and professionals who wish to donate their services.

“It has been amazing to see some of these professionals step up and donate their services, and I’d like to see this program expand. Whether you are an eye doctor, a mechanic, a landscaper, or work in any other profession, there is always a need for your help,” she said. “Our moms need help even after treatment. For example, when they are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, they can’t have dental work done, so we welcome help from dentists and orthodontists.”

A Scottsdale resident and graduate of Camelback High School, Andy said her biggest hope for Singleton Moms is to educate the public that people can make a difference even in little ways. “The help we provide is actually helping,” she said. “The services we provide are one-of-a-kind and the relationships we build are like no other. We truly make an impact. We are different, and it is my mission to keep us that way.”

The worst part of her job? “The most difficult part of my job is managing the Singleton Moms waiting list, especially when we don’t have the funds to support every mom that needs help. I don’t like having to turn anyone away,” she said. This is not to discourage single moms with cancer from reaching out for help. The status of the waiting list changes and as Singleton Moms receives increased financial support through its “Gimme Five” campaign and other fundraising efforts, the non-profit will be able to help more moms.

Andy said her dear friend Michelle Singleton, whom Singleton Moms is named after, is her inspiration to keep fighting for each mom. “Michelle was that way. She constantly gave to the homeless, to her kids, and to others less fortunate than her,” she said. “If I have a bad day, I think of her compassionate spirit, and that keeps me going. I truly believe she would want me to help others, particularly single mothers with cancer.”

As Singleton Moms Care Director, Andy also maintains relationships with Patient Navigators at American Cancer Society.

A certified nursing assistant and certified Doula, Andy spent time volunteering at Hospice of the Valley prior to co-founding Singleton Moms with long-time friend, Jody Farley-Berens.

Newly married, she has two beautiful daughters and loves to spend her spare time at home with her family. A savvy photographer with more than 10 years experience, she often photographs weddings and other special occasions. Passionate about photography, she hopes to open her own studio in the future.

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Ginnie Rowe

President

Singleton Moms’ President Ginnie Rowe was hooked on helping the unique non-profit once she viewed a presentation by co-founders Jody Farley-Berens and Andy Royal two years ago.

“Their passion and the cause got to me,” Ginnie said. “It was clear that Singleton Moms was providing a service that was priceless. I immediately wanted to be a part of that…to help provide hope and support where there often isn’t any.”

Born in Waynesboro, Virginia, Ginnie grew up in Argentina and lived in England for 14 years prior to moving to Arizona in 2006. A Gilbert resident with more than 15 years marketing experience, she co-owns DGR Communications with her husband, David, where she works as the firm’s website designer and digital strategist.

A Singleton Moms board member since 2008 and newly-elected President, Ginnie has ambitious goals for Singleton Moms. They include increasing awareness of the non-profit’s support services, increasing corporate sponsorships and personal donor support, and working towards the long-term goal of expanding services statewide and nationally.

“To our knowledge, we may be the only non-profit in the country providing customized domestic, financial, and emotional care to single mothers and fathers with cancer,” she said. “And while the single parents we have helped are strong and inspirational, there is a huge need for even more help. It would be wonderful if some day we did not have a waiting list.”

In addition to serving as Singleton Moms’ President, Ginnie also manages the non-profit agency’s marketing efforts and she spearheaded all work relating to the design, development, and maintenance of Singleton Moms’ website.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and her German Shepherd dog, Maverick.

Susan Gallagher-Crawford

Vice-President

Susan Gallagher-Crawford was a single mother once and can empathize with many of the emotional, domestic, and financial challenges other single mothers face. And while she can’t relate to the stress of battling cancer as a single mother, she knows her expertise and compassion can help Singleton Moms.

As an Acquisition Executive with American Express, Susan consults with non-profit organizations and medium-sized corporations on expense management best practices. She has attended classes and seminars at ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Non Profit Innovation, and as Singleton Moms’ Vice President, she utilizes her skills to help Singleton Moms with grant writing, fundraising, and other tasks, such as seeking in-kind donations.

An Arizona native and Avondale resident, Susan was first introduced to philanthropy 20 years ago while working for The Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, which, at the time, served as The Phoenix Suns team physicians.

“I believe that community support is essential in our society,” Susan said. “When I learned about Singleton Moms, I felt I could make a difference. My biggest goal is to help elevate these brave moms’ quality of life, no matter what their circumstances are.”

Susan said she is most impressed with Singleton Moms’ ability to provide resources and support that no other non-profit provides.

“There is a tremendous need for Singleton Moms’ services locally and nationwide. Our volunteers truly help with the day-to-day tasks that can be overwhelming. These moms are not able to get this type of support from the larger non-profits, not to say they are not helping, but their focus is on research and cures for cancer. Our focus is on the daily living needs and challenges while a parent is battling cancer,” she said.

Just as the need for donors is great, Susan said Singleton Moms is always seeking active volunteers.

“Like any non-profit, we have a large “Wish List,” and there are so many ways you can help. We need committed volunteers who can jump in and go with it! Be proactive, be an advocate for the parents and children. Just know the families in your community are depending on you to help them in many ways, and once you make the commitment and see the relief, hear the joy and happiness, that is the reward! That is what it is all about.”

When she’s not working, taking classes, or volunteering, Susan enjoys spending her spare time with her husband and three children. She also loves to indulge in a sweet hobby – baking.

Kristin Graziano

Treasurer

Kristin Graziano’s reasons for helping Singleton Moms are personal. Her mother died of breast cancer when she was 15 years old.

“Watching my mother go through more than three years of treatment to fight for her life to be with her four kids was something I will never forget,” Kristin said. “I cannot imagine being a single mother and adding the battle of cancer to that. It is unimaginable for most people, including myself.”

Determined to help single mothers with cancer, Kristin joined Singleton Moms’ Board of Directors three years ago, first serving as Vice President and currently serving as Treasurer.

“There is a huge need for our services,” she said. “The care Singleton Moms gives makes an impact on each mom and her family. We provide much needed help that is not found in any other place. There are one-time resources out there, but there is not a focus on helping moms on an ongoing basis during treatment. Organizations that are research based are very much needed, but they do not help these single moms with cancer right now,” she said.

While Singleton Moms has made great strides since it began, Kristin hopes the non-profit will grow so more single mothers with cancer can receive support.

“I’d like to see us expand our services so we can bring on more volunteer care coordinators. These care coordinators play the most important role for our non-profit as they befriend our moms, assess their needs, and they go above and beyond to help find solutions to each mother’s challenges,” she said.

An Arizona native and Scottsdale resident, Kristin is a Saguaro High School graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University. Her career background includes work in the insurance, real estate, and banking industries. Currently, she is devoting her full attention to taking care of her young daughter, Hayley.

In her spare time, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband, Thomas, Hayley, and their two dogs, Hunter, a Chocolate Labrador, and Missy, a Whippet mix.

Victoria Perkins

Secretary

Victoria Perkins has been touched by cancer, watching her mother, grandmother, and aunt all battle the debilitating disease, and thankfully winning. When she learned about Singleton Moms’ mission, she knew she had to help.

“Having cancer when you have the support of friends and family is hard enough, but to be a single parent going through this is unthinkable. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of these women and their children,” Victoria said.

As Singleton Moms’ Secretary, Victoria would like to see the non-profit expand by bringing new, skilled board members to the team who can assist with fundraising and sponsorships.

“Obviously, the bottom line is we need to achieve a healthy financial situation for Singleton Moms to continue providing these families with support and for us to be able to grow the number of moms we can help,” she said. “Currently, we are only able to have eight moms on service at any one time, and we know there are many more out there that need our help.”

A Chandler resident, Victoria also has high hopes for growth outside of Arizona.

“In an ideal world, we would be in the position to support any mom that came to us for help,” she said. “I would love to see Singleton Moms expand nationwide with facilities in all states where these families could come to heal, get coaching, or just to be in a loving, caring environment while they go through this journey.”

Born and raised in England, Victoria moved to the United States nearly 10 years ago, first to New York City where she utilized her public relations, special events, and marketing skills in the travel and tourism industry. She has called Arizona home for the last five years - and loves it! Passionate about helping non-profit organizations, she currently works for the Chandler Center for the Arts as the prestigious Center’s Marketing Assistant.

Savvy in social media, Victoria has been instrumental in managing Singleton Moms’ Facebook and Twitter accounts. She also holds a second job helping her husband, Guy, manage their social media marketing firm, Deep Space Marketing.

Her hobbies include traveling, photography, film and literature, and she always looks forward to spending valuable time with great friends that light her up and her lovable rescue mutt, Brutus.

Chris Gorman

Board Member

In the two years since Chris Gorman has served as a Singleton Moms board member, he has worked tirelessly to raise funds for the unique non-profit and assist with financial matters.

“I want Singleton Moms to become an organization that has people pounding on the door to give us money and to volunteer because they know we will make a difference in the lives of those we help,” Chris said.

An Arizona native who resides in north Phoenix, Chris began volunteering with Singleton Moms because he wanted to give back to his community and because he believes local non-profits can accomplish more than government or larger non-profits.

“We are about helping the immediate situation and not just hoping for a better future. Our moms and families need help now. A cure will not come soon enough for them, and research will not pay the bills or put food on the table or help their kids with school. Anything we can do to help will make life easier for the entire family,” he said.

Chris said he especially likes the fact that Singleton Moms provides various ways for people to help single mothers with cancer, either through hard work or through financial support.

“There are so many ways you can help,” he said. “Whether you make a donation or volunteer, you’ll help make life easier for these moms. They just can’t get this type of care anywhere else. We have the ability help families come together and enjoy the moments they have, and that is truly rewarding,” he said.

Chris attended Brophy College Preparatory and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies and a Post-baccalaureate degree in Accountancy from Arizona State University. A Certified Fraud Examiner, he is one of the owners of Gorman Litigation Support Services, LLC, a Phoenix-based firm of experts in Forensic Accounting, Business Valuation, and Financial Damage Analysis.

“I always wanted to outsmart the crooks and make it harder for them to do what they do,” he said. “Now I seem to be spending my time trying to help people get what they are owed.”

When Chris is not volunteering for Singleton Moms, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, golfing, scuba diving, skiing and traveling. He also loves to indulge in two of his passions: going to the beach and attending Dave Matthews Band concerts.