About Cancer Support Sonoma

Patient Navigator
Vanessa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University in 2018. She is a current Master of Social Work student at Fordham University with the ultimate goal of receiving her LCSW. Vanessa’s interest in social work stemmed from the health inequities that transpired during the COVID-19 pandemic. She chose to pursue this career in order to fight for equal access to healthcare for all, and to help eradicate racial disparities in healthcare.

Vanessa has experience in mental healthcare working as a care coordinator for a youth residential treatment center. She volunteered at Kaiser Permanente’s Cancer Survivorship Retreat in 2018 and organized a clothing drive for homeless youth in Berkeley in 2014. Vanessa is a strong believer in integrative health because overall wellness requires a healthy mind and a healthy body. She honors and respects each person’s journey.

Lead Volunteer
Susan received a master’s degree from Stanford University and worked for 15 years as a head teacher at Bing Nursery School, a laboratory/research facility on campus. 

After several years as a stay-at-home mom, she became a health educator for Planned Parenthood in the South Bay. There she was involved in the Prenatal Program before becoming the Breast Health Coordinator.  Her work at Planned Parenthood was a passionate cause for her. 

In retirement she was a volunteer at Bay Area Cancer Connections in Palo Alto, a non-profit organization that offers programs and services to people touched by breast and ovarian cancer. In 2015 Susan and her husband, Scott, moved to Sonoma — a dream come true for them. Becoming a volunteer with CSS was a natural fit.

Her work with Cancer Support Sonoma has helped Susan feel at home in the community. “It means more to me than a wonderful place to do some good work,” she says “I’ve made warm friendships with the clients and providers. I go home at the end of every Friday feeling so pumped up!