About Us
The Pink Rose Inspirational Foundation, Inc. was founded by Nicholas Pyykkonen after he lost two aunts to breast cancer. His Aunt Carol lost her battle in 1997 and eight years later, in 2005, Aunt Kathy lost her battle as well. All most one year to the date of the death of Kathy, Nick's mom, Beth, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She would fight and win her battle against breast cancer and become a survivor, until spring 2009 when she would be newly diagnoised with breast cancer for the second time. After battling bravely through both journeys, she is now a two-time survivor. Wanting to take action against this destructive disease, Nick launched the Pink Rose Inspirational Foundation in October 2007 and incorporated in July 2008 vowing to make the journey through breast cancer easier for patients.
This foundation was formed to celebrate life: the life of past victims, the life of survivors and the vision of a normal life as a breast cancer survivor!
The Foundation hosts fun and inspirational events such as our annual “Enchanted Evening” charity dinner in October. We These important events enable us to raise as much money as possible to help fund our mission, while spreading awareness about breast cancer.
Our Foundation is focused on improving the quality of life for patients and survivors of breast cancer. We raise money to fund vital programs for those in need and offer support and guidance throughout this difficult journey.
This foundation was formed to celebrate life: the life of past victims, the life of survivors and the vision of a normal life as a breast cancer survivor!
The Foundation hosts fun and inspirational events such as our annual “Enchanted Evening” charity dinner in October. We These important events enable us to raise as much money as possible to help fund our mission, while spreading awareness about breast cancer.
Our Foundation is focused on improving the quality of life for patients and survivors of breast cancer. We raise money to fund vital programs for those in need and offer support and guidance throughout this difficult journey.
Download Vision Plan
Two of our Advisors, Cindy Papale and Stacy Griffiths-Martello, were on Blogtalk Radio with Darren Neuberger August 4th 2010. Our Founder and President Nick Pyykkonen makes a guest call-in apperance around the 42 minute mark.
Click the play button below to hear the show.
Two of our Advisors, Cindy Papale and Stacy Griffiths-Martello, were on Blogtalk Radio with Darren Neuberger August 4th 2010. Our Founder and President Nick Pyykkonen makes a guest call-in apperance around the 42 minute mark.
Click the play button below to hear the show.
Listen to internet radio with Darren Neuberger on Blog Talk Radio
Officers:
Nicholas Pyykkonen is a visionary entrepreneur and multiple business owner. He has a BBA in Banking and Finance and Management along with an AA in Economics and Language Arts from Northwood University. He has worked as a financial planner and consultant for a prominent wealth management firm in Troy Michigan, William Mack & Associates; he is designated as a CFS or Certified (Mutual) Fund Specialist from the Institute of Business and Finance. He started and runs operations for The Pink Rose Inspirational Foundation which is dedicated to identifying and funding programs that improve the quality of life for patients and survivors of breast cancer.
Nick is Founder and CEO of both Pyykkonen Real Estate Investments and Pyykkonen Enterprises. Pyykkonen Real Estate Investments is a real estate investment firm specializing in the investment of outside capital in residential properties and commercial development. Pyykkonen Enterprises owns a collection of businesses. CNA International is an international trade, import/export and distribution company. 248creative is a Web Design and Internet Marketing Agency which specializes in pragmatic web design and goal driven online marketing. Health Care Weekly Review is an independent health care news publication which has a circulation of 10,000 and distributes to over 200 locations in 27 counties in Michigan. Pyykkonen Enterprises is currently expanding into the restaurant and food services industries.
Beth Pyykkonen has a BA Graduate School and BA Educational Arts degrees from Michigan State University. She has taught in the Troy School District for 27.5 years. During this time she has worked to develop many new educational programs and has achieved the outstanding teacher of the year honors numerous times along with Teacher of Year in 2006.
Tiffani Tuzzolino has a BBA from Walsh College. She has experience in the banking industry as a retail personal banker while working at Comerica Bank, which is a role she currently holds.
Tiffani is currently working on her Masters of Business Administration at Walsh College.
Board of Directors:
Sharon Dore was educated at Northwood, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with Cum Laude status. In 2009, the Midland based institution awarded her the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.
She is very skilled in communication and customer management, and is currently First Vice President of Treasury Management at First State Bank of East Detroit. Sharon also possesses good financial management and entrepreneurial skills, a result of her Northwood education. She has previously held the position of VP at both Huntington National Bank and Standard Federal Bank, as well as spending time with NBD bank. Sharon has also been praised for her ability to work well with others and be a team leader.
Edward Canaday is an 8-time Detroit Music Award winner and member of Crain's 40 Under 40 Class of 2008 whose creative and business experience allows him to not only think outside of the box, but kick it to the curb and relegate it to the recycling bin where it belongs.
A marketing and communications professional, Ted is currently the Director of Public Relations for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the world's largest institution dedicated to the African American experience, and is very involved with the cultural arts community. Ted consults with businesses and organizations on strategic, marketing and operational improvements through his company, FireSign Creative, which also provides audio production and post services such as original music composition, sound design, editing, voice-over and mix.
Finally, he composes and performs his own music as Teduardo.
Greg Rancilio is currently a Director within the Product Marketing organization of Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Dealer Services division. Prior to his current role he was the Director of Portfolio Management and Strategic Planning within ADP’s Alliance Region where he implemented an on line innovation/collaboration workflow tool (which was awarded the General Managers Innovation Award), institutionalized the Outcome Driven Innovation methodology which is used to identify high value market opportunities, rolled out the Strategy Map and Balanced Scorecard processes which created; visibility to strategies and tactics, organizational alignment and accountability, as well as measurements of key performance indicators.
Prior to ADP Greg spent 13 years with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in roles ranging from Implementation Consultant, Account Leadership, Business Development, and Client Delivery. Greg has also served on the Northwood University Midwest Leadership Council Alumni Board as well as the Board of Directors for the Midland County Voluntary Action Center. Greg received his BBA from Northwood University in Marketing and Management in 1991.
Jimmy Gwizdala has over fifteen years of extensive sales, marketing, and management experience working for companies in the Telecommunication, Voice and Data Integration, Web Development and Software industries. Like most entrepreneurs he started his first company at an early age before climbing the corporate ladder.
After holding high-level positions such as Director of Sales & Marketing and VP of Partner Programs, Jimmy decided to get back to his entrepreneur roots and started Hunch Free Inc., where he is instrumental in the direction of all aspects of the company.
Maureen Niemic Maureen is a passionate Information Technology professional who has seen firsthand the impact of well placed and timely technology in the prevention, early detection and treatment of disease. Her career includes the automotive, health care, and robotics industries. She’s managed such diverse groups as application development and support, network and infrastructure, help desk, desktop support and IT contract management for a variety of organizations. She is currently developing strategic Information Technology initiatives at General Motors.
Maureen received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Based Information Systems from Walsh College, and her MBA in International Management from Wayne State University in Detroit. She has also received certification in technologies pursuant to her career.
.Maureen has been involved with such diverse organizations as Groom and Board, Paint the Town, Delores Bennett’s No Child Without a Christmas, and professional Mentoring organizations. She has adopted 2 foster children and maintains an active role in helping other foster parents and would-be foster parents deal with problems encountered. She has also raised alpacas and shown them in international competition.
Board of Advisors:
Cindy Papale was born in New York City and raised on Long Island, New York. She came to Florida in 1972. Currently, Cindy is the Administrative Assistant at the University of Miami Psychological Services Center. She has worked at the University for 28 years, and 11 of those years she worked for a Professor at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Department of surgery.
In July, 2000, Cindy’s life changed drastically when she was diagnosed with a left breast multi-focal invasive breast cancer. She remained positive throughout her diagnosis. In November, 2000, Cindy chose to have her right breast removed prophylactically because she was afraid of getting cancer in that breast. Her story is a moving account of how one woman has taken a traumatic life experience and from it found new meaning in her life. She has touched the hearts of many and is even saving lives by sharing the important message that breast cancer is not just affecting older women, but that it has no boundaries and that it is survivable. Cindy is reaching high school, and college women and men with this message. Cindy was on the front cover to the Neighbors Section in the Miami Herald when she spoke to over 2,000 high school students at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Coral Gables, Florida and has been on the cover of the Miami Cancer Magazine. Cindy was nominated and chosen for her story in the Strike out Cancer Hall of Fame, and appeared on channel 6 South Florida Today Show.
Cindy modeled in the Day of Caring Event sponsored by the University of Miami, and currently sits on the committee. She has been on 101.5 LITE FM Radio, and on WHBC 1410 in Canton, Ohio. After extensive research Cindy discusses in an article by Living Beyond Breast Cancer the trials and tribulations on being single and dating. Cindy’s story appeared in the October, 2009 Patient Resource Publishing Cancer Guides through out the United States. Recently, Cindy appeared on Sirius satellite radio with Melissa Etheridge. Cindy's, book The Empty Cup Runneth Over truly is a treasure trove of information to help inspire, empower, and educate women and men about breast cancer. Currently, Cindy is writing another book as well as a movie screenplay.
Clare English is a medical oncology professional. She has over 18 years experience in oncology, including radiology, radiation therapy and clinical education. Clare received recent certification as an oncology patient navigator in New York and holds a license in radiology and radiation therapy.
She is currently working on a Woman’s Initiative as a contributing medical editor. She is a member of the National Consortium of Breast Centers and American Registry of Radiological Technologists.
Stacy Martello a strategic and intuitive entrepreneurial leader that draws from her diverse business experiences of 20 years, to enable both businesses and individuals to achieve their defined excellence. Stacy's has held management positions in fortune 500 companies, as well as, an entrepreneur developing new business, which provides her with a multiple perspective. She has helped trained and develop sales forces, help emerging business develop their plan to market their new products, and created marketing plans for new business with companies such as Wells Fargo and Citicorp. Stacy's unique coaching skills and attributes enable her to connect with people, in turn, this facilitates a process where people and organizations come to better understand themselves and the way they operate in a complex world.
Stacy is the founder of the Non-profit organization Fight Pink, for Breast Cancer. She is also a Breast cancer survivor, which provides her with a unique perspective when engaging with Survivors and the public alike. Stacy is an active member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas, Nevada, an active member of The National Association of Working Mother's and Local Chapter of Mom's in Business Network. She is an active member of NAWBO, National Association of Women Business Owners, and also volunteers for the Clark County, Nevada "Reads Program" which reads books to children in underprivileged situations, as well as a volunteer for The Boys and Girls Club of America. Stacy has co-written numerous articles that have been published in Industry Week, Philadelphia Golfer and New Jersey Golfer Magazine as well as Self Growth Magazine and online at Fight Pink.org. Stacy recently completed her Masters Certification in Leadership Strategies from Notre Dame University, Mendoza College of Business, and is furthering her education for her Masters/Doctorate in Metaphysics.
Ambassadors:
West Coast
Jamie Inman is a professional motivational speaker and teacher, speaking on a wide array of topics such as: “Losing Our Breasts, Finding Ourselves,” “The Secrets Of A Happy Marriage: Only The First 25 Years are Hard,” and “Finding Myself in a Psych Ward.” A two-time breast cancer survivor and Licensed Psychotherapist, Jamie specializes in counseling for a variety of emotional and spiritual needs.
Jamie Inman is the Founder of the Stay in the Pink organization , a resource for women and men dealing with breast cancer. Jamie is also one of the Founders and the current President of The Giving Ribbon The Giving Ribbon which provides information, resources and emotional support to local families living with breast cancer.
Jamie Inman continues her work as the Founder and CEO of Stay in the Pink while maintaining her therapy practice as she works to build her newest venture, Jamie Inman Enterprises. To request Jamie for your next speaking engagement, contact The Lowry Agency.
