
Meet Our Team
The You Night Leadership Council is the heart of our sisterhood—women who step forward to lead, inspire, and serve. Through their involvement in advocacy, program development, mentorship, and community-building, they help create meaningful connections and shape the future of our organization.
Founder
Executive Producer
Lisa McKenzie
Lisa McKenzie is the Founder and Executive Producer of You Night Empowering Events, where she has spent more than a decade creating innovative programs that help women find healing, connection, and purpose after a cancer diagnosis. She is also the creator of ScART and Story Crafting, two transformative therapeutic arts programs that empower survivors to reclaim their stories and discover strength through creativity and community.
877-591-5936 x1
Logistics Director
serving since 2016
Angela Becnel
Angela Becnel serves as Logistics Director for You Night Empowering Events, overseeing the countless details that bring each event to life, including venue coordination, catering, contracts, volunteer management, and event operations. Her exceptional organizational skills and dedication ensure that every experience runs seamlessly, allowing participants to focus on connection, healing, and celebration.
Class Director
serving since 2024
Jill Allender
Jill Allender serves as Class Director for the SheROSE Program, providing guidance, encouragement, and support to each woman throughout her journey. She began her leadership in the SPARK program in 2022. Then, after participating in the SheRose Class of 2023, she went on to serve as Class Director - an huge role where she coordinates schedules, communicates program activities, and stays closely connected to participants, ensuring that every SheROSE feels supported through life's challenges, treatments, surgeries, and milestones along the way.
Runway Coach
serving since 2016
Leslie Legania-Shelby
Leslie Legania-Shelby serves as You Night's Runway Coach and is the owner of Positive Image Modeling. Through runway training, choreography, posture, posing, movement, and teamwork, she helps each participant build confidence and discover the strength, grace, and beauty they carry within as they prepare for their unforgettable moment on stage. Leslie has coached over 500 women since You Night's inception at over 20 runway shows, including helping You NIght break the Guinness Book of World Records for the Most Models in a Runway Show.
Media Director
serving since 2017
Holley Haag
Holley Haag serves as Media Director for You Night Empowering Events, overseeing media relations, press releases, and outreach to television stations, newspapers, magazines, and other news outlets to help share the stories and impact of our mission. She also coordinates media coverage at events, ensuring that the voices of survivors are amplified throughout the community. A proud member of the 2016 SheROSE class, Holley combines her professional expertise with a personal passion for empowering women affected by cancer.
Sponsorship & Story Crafting Coach
serving since 2015
Ruth Avila
Ruth Avila serves on the Sponsorship Team for You Night Empowering Events, building meaningful relationships with businesses and community partners who make our mission possible. As an oncology nurse, breast cancer survivor, and member of the 2015 SheROSE class, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her role, helping sponsors understand the profound impact of You Night's programs on the women and families we serve.
Sponsorship & Logistics
serving since 2025
Adrianne Jouet
Adrianne Jouet serves on the You Night Leadership Team in both Sponsorship and Logistics, helping cultivate community partnerships while supporting the many behind-the-scenes details that make each event a success. A proud member of the 2024 SheROSE Class, Adrianne brings her passion for the mission and firsthand understanding of the survivor experience to everything she does. During the annual gala, she plays a critical role in show production from the sound booth, helping coordinate the technical elements that ensure a seamless and inspiring experience for every participant and guest.
Programs Director
serving since 2018
Deborah Tonguis
Deborah Tonguis is a head, neck, and throat cancer survivor and proud member of the 2017 SheROSE Class. A former Louisiana Teacher of the Year, Deborah brought her passion for education and personal growth to You Night, where she went on to serve as Programs Director and played an instrumental role in the development of the ScART Program, the SPARK Program, and the organization's retreat experiences. Today, she continues to create innovative programs that support women facing cancer, including faith-based initiatives that provide hope, healing, and connection throughout their journey.
Logistics / Registration
serving since 2022
Kieran Ginesi
Kieran Ginesi represents the Krewe of Isis, an all-women's Mardi Gras organization that has proudly supported You Night since 2021 through generous financial contributions and volunteer service. An accomplished Realtor and Professional Home Staging Designer in St. Tammany Parish, Kieran has become an invaluable member of the You Night Leadership Team, helping manage guest experiences and registration at both the annual gala and Crawfish & Cornhole Tournament. Her dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to creating welcoming experiences help ensure that every guest feels valued from the moment they arrive.
Logistics
serving since 2017
Jerry Parker
Jerry Parker is a proud member of the 2016 SheROSE Class, affectionately known as the "Fight Club," and has dedicated years of service to advancing the mission of You Night Empowering Events. She was selected by her fellow survivors to serve as the Lavender Ribbon Ambassador during You Night's successful Guinness World Records achievement, an honor bestowed upon the participant who best embodies the compassion, resilience, encouragement, and unwavering spirit of the You Night sisterhood. Today, Jerry serves as Stage Manager on the Logistics Team, helping coordinate the many moving parts of the production.
Logistics
serving since 2016
Noel Hammac
Noel Hammac has been a dedicated member of the You Night family since 2016, serving behind the scenes as Dressing Room Manager and helping participants feel confident and cared for as they prepare for the runway. In 2023, Noel's journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with cancer and found herself walking the runway as a member of the 2024 SheROSE Class. Today, she continues to serve with compassion and dedication, bringing both her leadership experience and survivor perspective to every event.
Logistics and Sponsorship
serving since 2026
Courtney Trombka
Courtney Trombka first became part of the You Night family through her work with Air Salon & Blow Dry Bar, one of our valued partners, where she helped style participants for photoshoots and runway events. In 2025, after her own cancer diagnosis, Courtney experienced the program from a new perspective as a member of the SheROSE Class of 2025, the "Fight Club." Today, she serves as Styling Team Manager, coordinating the talented hair and makeup professionals who help participants look and feel their best for both the signature photoshoot and the annual runway show.
Logistics / Advocacy
serving since 2025
Asja Godbolt
Asja Godbolt is a proud member of the 2024 SheROSE Class who quickly stepped into a leadership role after experiencing the power of the You Night sisterhood firsthand. A passionate advocate and community connector, she helps identify and support women who can benefit from the program while sharing her personal story to inspire others and advance fundraising efforts on behalf of the organization. Today, Asja serves as Entertainment Manager for the annual gala, helping create an unforgettable experience that celebrates the strength, courage, and resilience of every participant.
Logistics & Story Crafting Coach
serving since 2025
Sunny Anderson
Sunny Anderson is a proud member of the 2024 SheROSE Class whose passion for the mission inspired her to step into a leadership role following her own transformative experience. She now serves as a Story Crafting Coach for both the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and the New Orleans-area program, helping women find healing and empowerment through storytelling. Sunny is also a valued member of the Logistics Team, coordinating restaurant partnerships and food donations that help create memorable and meaningful experiences for participants throughout the year.
Event Support
serving since 2025
Becky Carter
Becky Carter first became part of the You Night sisterhood through the SPARK Program before continuing her journey as a member of the 2023 SheROSE Class. Inspired by the impact of the program, she stepped into a leadership role, providing vital support for events and helping coordinate the Silent Auction, one of the organization's key fundraising efforts. Becky's dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to serve make her a valued member of the You Night Leadership Team.
Correspondence and Story Crafting Coach
serving since 2017
Joy Broggi
Joy Broggi is a proud member of the 2016 SheROSE Class who has continued to give back to the You Night sisterhood through years of dedicated leadership and service. As a Story Crafting Coach, she has helped guide women through transformative storytelling experiences with both the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation in Rhode Island and the You Night program in the Greater New Orleans area. Joy also serves as Correspondence Chair, ensuring that the many donors, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make the mission possible receive the heartfelt appreciation and gratitude they deserve.
Sponsorship and Story Crafting Coach
serving since 2025
Ginger Swaggerty
Ginger Swaggerty is a proud member of the 2025 SheROSE Class, affectionately known as the "Fight Club." Inspired by her own experience in the program, she stepped into leadership and is now serving in her second season as a Story Crafting Coach. Through encouragement, compassion, and the power of storytelling, Ginger helps fellow survivors discover strength, healing, and purpose in their cancer journeys.
Logistics
serving since 2025
Mary McClelland
Mary McClelland is a proud member of the 2023 SheROSE Class who has continued her commitment to the You Night mission through dedicated service on the Logistics Team. She helps cultivate relationships with area restaurants and businesses to secure food and beverage donations that enhance the participant and guest experience at our events. Mary also provides invaluable hands-on support with event setup, teardown, and onsite operations, always willing to step in wherever needed to help create meaningful and memorable experiences for the women we serve.
Story Crafting Coach
serving since 2023
Amanda Eyes-Delchamps
Amanda Eys-Delchamps is a breast cancer survivor and proud member of the 2014 You Night Class, following in the footsteps of her mother-in-law, Cheryl Delchamps, who participated in the organization's inaugural class. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Amanda has combined her professional expertise with her personal cancer journey to help hundreds of women navigate their own healing and recovery. Through her service as a Story Crafting Coach with both You Night Empowering Events and the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, she has guided survivors in transforming their experiences into stories of strength, resilience, and hope.
Story Crafting Coach
serving since 2023
Teala Fugitt
Teala Fugitt is a proud member of the 2021 SheROSE Class whose compassionate spirit and heart for serving others have made her a valued leader within the You Night sisterhood. As a Story Crafting Coach, she has helped guide women through transformative healing experiences with both the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and the You Night programs in St. Tammany Parish and Greater New Orleans. Through her encouragement, empathy, and genuine care for others, Teala helps survivors discover the strength and purpose within their own stories.
Community Outreach
serving since 2018
Joy Kampen
Joy Kampen is a proud member of the 2017 You Night Class and a survivor of both melanoma and breast cancer. She was selected to serve as the Melanoma Ribbon Ambassador during You Night's Guinness World Records achievement, an honor recognizing her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to supporting others. Joy later served as Alum Director from 2019 to 2023, helping strengthen connections among the growing sisterhood of survivors. Today, she continues her service as a Hospital Outreach Liaison, helping connect newly diagnosed women to the support, resources, and hope available through You Night.
Sponsorship / Volunteer Coordinator
serving since 2026
Kati Cheek
Kati Cheek is a proud member of the 2025 SheROSE Class, affectionately known as the "Fight Club." As a successful Allstate Agency owner in Metairie and a longtime supporter of You Night, Kati combines her business expertise with her personal survivor experience to help grow the organization's network of community partners. She now serves in a sponsorship leadership role, building relationships with businesses throughout the Greater New Orleans area and connecting companies that share a passion for empowering women facing cancer.
Community Outreach & Alum Programs
serving since 2026
Tara Warner
Tara Warner is a proud member of the 2025 SheROSE Class, affectionately known as the "Fight Club." As an Oncology Nurse, she has dedicated her career to caring for and supporting hundreds of women facing a cancer diagnosis, offering both expertise and compassion during some of life's most difficult moments. Inspired by her own experience in the You Night program, Tara now serves as a leader on the Outreach and Programs Team, using her professional knowledge and survivor perspective to help connect women to the resources, support, and sisterhood they need on their journey.
Community Outreach & Alum Programs
serving since 2026
Rachel Giammolva
Rachel Giammolva is a proud member of the 2025 SheROSE Class, affectionately known as the "Fight Club." As a breast cancer survivor and nurse, she understands the importance of connection, encouragement, and support during the cancer journey, and is passionate about helping other women find the same sense of sisterhood she discovered through You Night. Today, Rachel serves on the Leadership Team, helping develop programs that keep alumni connected while creating meaningful opportunities for future participants and women throughout the community who are seeking support, hope, and healing.
Sponsorship
serving since 2026
Jaclyn McLellan
Jaclyn McLelland is one of the newest members of the You Night Leadership Team. A resident of St. Tammany Parish with a passion for serving others, she has generously dedicated her time and talents to advancing the organization's mission. Jaclyn plays an active role in fundraising efforts, helping build community support and secure the resources needed to ensure that women facing cancer continue to receive the encouragement, connection, and life-changing experiences that define the You Night sisterhood.