BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Teachers With Vision
Our Directors
Please know about our directors, Our Board of Directors are dedicated people who are always looking to assist you every moment needed.
Leah Salmorin
Breast Cancer Survivor, President/Founder
Leah’s journey as a breast cancer survivor..
is a primary motivator in her life. As part of her role as President/Founder, she frequently reaches out to other charitable organizations, government, and support groups to find ways of pooling resources and collaborating on projects. She is a lector at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Joan of Arc Church, former patient navigator for The American Cancer Society, and volunteers at Elmhurst Hospital.
She hails from the Philippines and from a medical family. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and was awarded “outstanding employee” and “top financial consultant“ at the Philippine National Bank and Marketing by Prulife-UK, respectively. An honor and scholar student, she was a member of various clubs: Toastmaster Club, Lions Club, and Kiwanis Club. Other notable contributions are: SHARE hotline volunteer (2006), NY State Breast Cancer Network Advocate -Albany (2007), Creative Center Visual Diaries Exhibition participant at the University Settlement (2009), National Breast Cancer Coalition Project Lead Graduate – Boston (2010) and Susan G. Komen Pink Honor Roll (2013). Her other involvements include: Cancer Care, Gilda’s, Stupid Cancer, Young Survival Coalition, Livestrong, Casting for Recovery, Libby Ross Foundation, SASS Foundation, Stowe Weekend of Hope, American Cancer Society, You Can Thrive, United Breast Cancer Foundation, Moving for Life, Strength for Life, Speed Rack, Earth Celebrations -Ecological City and Social change through the Arts and Pink Glove Dance.
Carleen Moscati, Breast Cancer Survivor..
Carleen Moscati is a Certified Life Purpose and Holistic Life Coach, Spiritual Guide and Reiki Master. After a career in the legal field and a tough battle with Breast Cancer, she founded the Legacy Lifetime Community where she now dedicates her time to helping others to overcome Major Life Obstacles [M-LOs], discover their truth, Live Their Legacy, and Become Their Greatest Self.Carleen believes wholeheartedly in the power of the human spirit and it's ability to actualize it's full potential. She utilized principles of Holism, Life Balance and Conscious Connection to help empower and guide Survivors on their journey to wellness and recovery.
Carleen Moscati
Vice President & Director of Holistic Lifestyle Programming
Lailanie Idemne Galang
Secretary
Lailanie graduated from
LaGuardia Community College with an associate’s degree. While in college, she received scholarships due to her involvement in various theater performances and school organizations, all while juggling work and school. She also organized a medical and dental mission in the Philippines, which continues annually to this day. In December 2019, she was diagnosed with endometriosis. On January 5, 2020, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She opted out of chemotherapy treatments. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Following another surgery after the pandemic, her oncologist declared her cancer-free. Though her journey was arduous, it strengthened her faith in God. She rekindled her passion for theater and began writing songs and poems. One of her poems was selected for publication out of 1,500 entries in a poetry competition. Her inspirations were her late grandmother Julita, her devoted prayer warrior who was diagnosed with hypothalamic cancer, and her mother Carol, her confidant and a breast cancer survivor of 20 years, who passed away just a few months ago. Lailanie gave up everything—including a prestigious, high-paying job—to care for her ailing parents. Her husband, Jethro, has been a steadfast advocate in everything she does. Her decision to join Paddle for the Cure was a blessing, encouraged by her aunt Leah Salmorin. Paddling has brought her not only physical healing, but also mental and emotional strength. PFC gives her hope through teamwork and shared passion—working together to support cancer patients and survivors alike.
Joel Quirk, CPA, is the audit partner at..
Ernest D. Loewenwarter & Co. LLP. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s various audit, review, and compilation engagements as well as administering the firm’s peer review program.Mr. Quirk’s clientele includes the firm’s roster of investment counselors and investment companies as well as wholesale distributors, high net worth individuals and not-for-profit companies. Mr. Quirk’s responsibilities within the firm include quality review of attest engagements, assigning and supervising personnel and reviewing all phases of engagements.
Mr. Quirk is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Quirk has been with the firm since 1992 and has more than thirty-five years of experience in public accounting. Mr. Quirk’s range of experience includes but is not limited to distribution, manufacturing, real estate, financial services, publishing, entertainment, and a variety of non-profit organizations. Mr. Quirk received a B.S. in accounting from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1980.
Joel A. Quirk
Treasurer
Elizabeth Laube
Breast Cancer Survivor, Volunteer Coordinator
Elizabeth (Liz) Laube was born
in Brooklyn and graduated from Wagner College with a B.A. in English. She taught primary school for several years before deciding to travel and teach in Australia and Malaysia. Sports have always been a big part of her family. Liz played tennis, squash, softball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, and also enjoyed canoeing.
Upon returning to Brooklyn, she attended nursing school and became a medical-surgical nurse at NY Presbyterian Methodist Hospital. She later worked in the Wound Care Department at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, also in Brooklyn. Her two sons have since grown up and now live with their wives—one in Brooklyn and the other in Altadena, California.
Liz and her husband eventually relocated to the Philadelphia area to continue working in Wound Care. After retirement, she remained active through biking, hiking, sports, traveling, gardening, sewing, and volunteering. After her husband passed away, her son and daughter-in-law invited her to return to Brooklyn to live with them and help care for their two children—a fun and active 9-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl.
In 2018, Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. She has had no complications and considers herself fortunate, now only taking a daily pill as treatment. In 2023, she discovered Paddle for the Cure through a breast cancer support group and joined the team.
What Liz enjoys most about PFC is the physical workout, the sense of team support and camaraderie, and being outdoors during the summer. Spreading the message that life doesn’t end with a cancer diagnosis is deeply important to her. That’s why she continues to support PFC and its mission.Annie Urag is currently working at NYC
Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as a level 2 dietitian. Annie is active in her parish being a lector for 8 years now and she is also a member at large of the Lourdes organization.
She graduated from the University of the East in Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition and she also worked in Macy’s for a while when she first arrived in New York.
As a survivor herself, she knows how her patients feel. Annie believes that family has taught her that God is your ultimate savior and that with a healthy lifestyle, one will be able to survive”.
Annie Urag
Breast Cancer Survivor, Health and Wellness Director
Maria Assis
Breast Cancer Survivor, Event Coordinator
Maria Assis is a veteran dancer, Zumba and..
fitness instructor who performs in parades, schools and hospital events. She was born and raised in Brazil. She actively participates in Dance for the Cure and Paddle for the Cure through the supervision of Susan G. Komen fundraising events in New York City.
Being a two-year breast cancer survivor, she continues to grow strong and wanted to give back to the community not only as a performer but also as the Event Coordinator for Paddle for the Cure in New York City.