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Our Team
Christina Parrish - Founder/Chair
Christina Parrish founded The Purple Iris Foundation as a result of what was then her 3 1/2 year journey through pancreatic cancer. She was given the life-changing news on June 16, 2008. Needless to say, she initially reacted with shock and then was told that she had only 3-6 months to live with treatment. She was appalled and decided then that no one in her lifetime should be given this news – thus The Purple Iris Foundation was born to help raise awareness and support her fellow patients. Christina is proud to say that she is a 16-year survivor. Christina is living proof that there is hope. Christina is a seasoned human services professional, who through her 2 decades in the field has garnered exceptional experience and expertise working with adults and children with disabilities. She was also the director of a large child care facility, and most recently worked for a major bank in the collections division. Christina’s duties include but are not limited to: Coordinate the 5K fun run and the purple iris planting project, manage volunteers, public relations, business administration, and fundraising.
cparrish@purpleirisfoundation.com
Natalee Kohls - President
Natalee is a graduate of the University of Maine at Machias with an Assoc. Liberal Arts Degree, in 1987 and a graduate of the New England School of Communications in Radio Broadcasting, in 1991. Member of the Kappa Alpha Kappa Service Sorority. She brings her experience in media, broadcasting, promotions, web/graphic design and marketing. In private practice, Natalee is a ThetaHealing Practitioner and Intuitive Anatomy Practitioner....she teaches all levels of Usui Reiki, offers Reiki sessions, personal spiritual coaching, and is a motivational speaker and author of the Incredible Adventure of Moxy the Maine Moose.
nkohls@purpleirisfoundation.com
Phyllis Couch - Vice President
Phyllis brings with her considerable background in management, operational management, customer service, sales, financial modeling, accounting, and public relations. This experience was gained through more than 25 years as an office manager, Department manager and Optician. Duties will include but are not limited to: Helping the president coordinate the 5K fun run and the purple iris planting project, coordinating volunteers, public relations, business administration, and fundraising.
Ashley Bloomer - Treasurer/PIF Board Member
Ashley graduated from the University of Maine in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. With a decade of experience in business management and a solid background in accounting, she brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning, financial analysis, and team leadership to the Purple Iris Foundation. Beyond her career, Ashley was the primary Caregiver to her “Grams,” Lois, during her third and final battle with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. This experience has deepened her understanding of the compassion, support, and resources necessary to navigate the cancer journey. In her free time, Ashley enjoys cooking and baking, gardening, practicing yoga, and exploring the natural beauty of Maine with her dog, Odin.
ashley@purpleirisfoundation.com
Jennifer Brooks - Marketing/Public Relations/Board Member
Jen is the owner of Eventful Communications, a small business located in Brewer Maine that provides nonprofits and small businesses with marketing, public relations, and event planning expertise. Jen has more than 25 years experience in the nonprofit sector including program development and
management, grant writing and management, public relations, and marketing. Jen started her nonprofit career with a private nonprofit community action agency in eastern Maine. Her role within the agency quickly grew. Jen found herself using her communications and organizational skills in various roles including program development, facilitation, and community relations where she was instrumental in the success of many internal and external events and fundraising opportunities. In 2009, she joined a nonprofit economic development organization and spearheaded their strategic initiatives that involved bringing together groups of people from the region to move forward economic development initiatives. Jen attended the University of Maine with a concentration in business and marketing and lives in Brewer with her family.
jennifer@purpleirisfoundation.com
Tyler Parrish - Volunteer "ProjktCncr" Project Manager
tparrish@purpleirisfoundation.com
Christie Hines - Volunteer & Advocate
Christie Hines is a resident of Falmouth, Maine and is a single Mom to her 3 daughters Kaylee (25), Lacie (15) and Mallorie (12). Christie is a 6 year Breast Cancer Survivor and has been an advocate for the disease ever since. She has participated in events and raised funds for various cancer organizations for many years. In 2017, Christie's longtime boyfriend Tommy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. She left her job to care for him full time. After a year's worth of trying everything to save his life, Tommy passed away on September 4, 2018. He had just turned 50 years old. After his passing, Christie researched and discovered the Purple Iris Foundation. She held an event in Tommy's memory to raise funds for the foundation and will continue to advocate and educate others about this horrible disease.
Rhonda Williams - PIF Board Member
Rhonda has several years of nonprofit, and management experience. Rhonda has an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources. Rhonda’s passion for assisting those with pancreatic cancer comes from losing a family member to this disease in January of 2010, after a 5-year battle. Rhonda’s goal is to provide personal and compassionate support to those who are affected by pancreatic cancer. Rhonda is the Founder and National Director of the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
Andrea Gray - Volunteer/PIF Board Member
Andrea loves to travel, read, and spend time with my amazing nieces. She just got back from my bucket list family trip to Atlantis and my next big trip is a Transatlantic Mediterranean Cruise. Andrea is looking forward to this exciting opportunity to work with the Purple Iris Foundation. Her dear friend always said "Everyone knows someone impacted by cancer." This is her chance to help.
andrea@purpleirisfoundation.com
Anne Cote - Volunteer/PIF Board Member
Anne graduated from Husson with a BA in Management and moved to Southern Maine after college. Anne has over 29 of experience in sales, marketing and advertising. She has a passion for philanthropy and has been able to help raise awareness and funds for a wide range of charitable organizations and initiatives over the years. Anne is always looking for new ways to contribute to creating positive change in the lives of others. She was inspired by the amazing work of the Purple Iris Foundation and wanted to lend a hand. The P.I.F. is a beacon of light and hope in the darkest of times for people affected by cancer. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, golfing, riding her Harley and spending time at camp.