Speakers

Woodrow "Woody" Brokenburr, MBA

Meet Woodrow "Woody" Brokenburr, MBA – a cancer survivor, advocate, and champion for health equity. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 9 in the 1960s, Woody faced the challenges of pediatric cancer care during an era of limited treatment options and racial segregation in the American South. With effective chemotherapy treatments yet to be developed, amputation was the primary solution.

Throughout his recovery, Woody's family played a crucial role, and their unwavering support has inspired him to dedicate more than 60 years to advocating for cancer patients. His lifelong commitment has contributed significantly to improving access to care and the quality of care for those affected by cancer.

Presently, Woody serves as the President of Community Conscience in the City of Thousand Oaks, CA. He is a firm believer in enhancing health outcomes for people of color by increasing access to care provided by those who share similar backgrounds and experiences. To this end, Woody has been actively involved with the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA’s Minority Training Program in Cancer Control Research.

In addition to his work with UCLA, Woody has held various roles as a patient advocate at the Los Robles Medical Center, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee at the American Cancer Society and Stand Up to Cancer’s Translational Lung Cancer Research collaborative, and as Chair Emeritus – Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. He has also contributed to committees such as the American Cancer Society’s Extramural Grants Council and peer review committees. Currently he is servicing on Stakeholder and Curriculum Core of the I-REACH (Infrastructure in Equity, Aging, Cancer, and Health) initiative at Georgetown University, Community Scientist at Cedars-Sinai and Convergence Science Virtual Caner Committee (CSVCC) at USC.

Woody's passion for raising awareness about cancer survivorship and equity in cancer care extends to his writings. As an active writer, he has published his perspectives in notable publications such as Onco’Zine, Survivorship Today, and CURE Magazine. Furthermore, he has participated in panel discussions and interviews with esteemed organizations like the Rotary Clubs, the American Cancer Society, and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS).

Woody's dedication to education and community involvement is evident through his active membership in the NCCS Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) and the NCCS Elevating Survivorship program. He emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, fostering empathy for those with metastatic cancer, and reducing treatment's negative impact.

Outside of his professional and advocacy work, Woody enjoys writing, collecting art, listening to music, foreign travel, studying languages, and practicing Sumi-e, the Japanese art of ink brush painting. As a proud father of three adult children, he continues to inspire and improve the lives of cancer patients and survivors, embodying the spirit of resilience and dedication.

Dr. Richard Schroeder is the Chief Education Programming Officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRFPI), the sole nonprofit organization created by President Reagan charged with advancing his legacy and principles of individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, peace through strength, and national pride.

In this capacity, Dr. Schroeder oversees the educational outreach and programming for the globally recognized non-partisan organization based in Simi Valley, California, which sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the most visited presidential library in the country; the Reagan Center for Public Affairs; the Presidential Learning Center; The Air Force One Pavilion; the award-winning Discovery Center; and the Reagan Institute, which carries out the Foundation’s mission in Washington, D.C.

Most recently, Dr. Schroeder served as a Partner/Vice-President at the Center for Model Schools, a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH).  Richard has been part of HMH since 2017, where he also held the role of Senior National Director of Assessment, Analytics and Program Development.   Both roles provided experience working in every U.S. state, supporting education policy makers, leaders, teachers, and parents through the development of award-winning digital learning and professional development.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Schroeder served students in a wide array of educational environments -- as a National Board-Certified teacher, school leader, director of assessment, and district leader of one of the largest school systems in Illinois.  His experience includes working in urban and suburban school districts, establishing nonprofit education foundations, serving on national education organizations, and leading local teacher’s associations.  He brings significant research and data analytic experience related to monitoring student growth and using student assessment data to drive instructional decisions.

 

On May 17, 2025, the Board of Regents of California Lutheran University unanimously appointed Dr. John A. Nunes as the university’s ninth president, effective June 1, 2025. His permanent appointment follows a successful year of service as interim president and reflects the Board’s confidence in his ability to provide the steady, mission-focused leadership needed to guide the university forward. With a deep commitment to Cal Lutheran’s mission of educating leaders for a global society, President Nunes brings a collaborative and community-centered approach to his work with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners.

Dr. Nunes’ appointment comes with the support of the Region 1 and Region 2 bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Since 2020, Dr. Nunes serves on the Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities. Many public and private universities have adopted the task force’s recommendations about how to foster a campus culture of robust intellectual exchange during the current period of national polarization. He was also president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief and held an endowed professorship at Valparaiso University.

He is the author of five books, including Wittenberg Meets the World: Reimagining the Reformation from the Margins (2017), with Alberto Garcia; and Meant for More: In, With, and Under the Ordinary (2020). 

Our event co-chairs will be sharing a few words about a very special and heartfelt event coming up in our community: Johnna’s High Tea Party.

This cherished event honors the memory of Johnna, a young woman who courageously battled cancer and passed away on March 21, 2009. Throughout her journey, Johnna was lovingly supported by a women’s cancer support group that affectionately called themselves “Hany’s Hair Em”—a nod to their beloved doctor, Dr. Hany Khalil, and their shared experiences with hair loss during chemotherapy.

To carry forward the spirit of that support, Johnna’s mother, Maryann Fiore Hopkins, created the High Tea Party as a way to give back to the community that stood by her daughter. Since then, the event has raised vital funds for the Marcelle Erian Cancer Foundation, founded by Dr. Khalil in 2011, which continues to provide counseling, supplies, and direct support to cancer patients in need.

The co-chairs will now share more about this meaningful event and how you can be a part of making a difference in the lives of local families impacted by cancer.

https://www.johnnasteaparty.com/