The Ruth Cheatham Foundation is currently run by a team of individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to support education for teens and young adults impacted by cancer. Our talented leaders are the driving force behind TRCF’s mission. These passionate individuals are dedicated to increasing support programs for teen cancer patients and providing academic opportunities for cancer survivors to continue their education.
At the core of what we do are our incredible teen cancer scholars. This is our why and the VIPs of our organization.
Our Founders
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Born and raised in the DFW area, Lindsay graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Biology. She is a Financial Advisor by profession and has worked with clients to help them achieve their financial goals and secure a sound financial future.
Lindsay quickly developed a passion for the nonprofit sector while volunteering in Mexico 27 years ago. Experiencing how others live and survive in challenging conditions, and seeing what a difference one person can make in so many people’s lives, set a lifelong passion for her in the philanthropic world. Since then, she has devoted her time and efforts to various children’s organizations and animal rescues in the Dallas area.
In addition to volunteering for her community, Lindsay spends her time outdoors, enjoys painting and cooking, and loves spending time with the most adorable baby (and husband) in the world.
Treasurer & Co-Founder
Douglas is a Utah native but has lived in and worked in Minneapolis, Dallas and Warsaw, Poland. Today he serves as the Senior Vice President & Head of Default Servicing at U.S. Bank. In his role Douglas manages servicing functions (1,500+ FTE) of US Bank’s mortgage and consumer operations. Prior to joining U.S. Bank Douglas held several executive roles with JP Morgan Chase, Nationstar Mortgage, Springleaf Financial, and has worked internationally with Citibank. While with Citibank he led a group that launched Citibank’s first successful mortgage in Poland which was the first mortgage product in the CEE region. Douglas also is the Co-Founder & Treasurer of The Ruth Cheatham Foundation, a Dallas based charity supporting adolescent cancer patients and survivors.
Douglas is the Executive Chair of U.S. Bank, Texas Development Network, a partner with Dallas Social Venture Partners (DSVP), sits on the boards of Veterans Financial Services Advisory Council, Five Star Institute Editorial Advisory Board, the Kikulu Foundation and he has been a top fundraiser for the Dallas March of Dimes and has fundraised for several cancer research non-profits.
Douglas is also very passionate about capital markets, public land conservation, mountaineering, backpacking, hiking, snow skiing, fishing and spending time in the outdoors with his family.
Our Board Members
Angie Keller
Board President
Angie attended the University of Texas at Dallas to study education and it is where she received her passion and certification to teach. She then completed her graduate studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, which allowed her to specialize and receive certification as a Master Technology Teacher with the State Board of Education. Being involved with the educational sector allowed Angie to expand her passion for educational technology beyond the reach of her school district and into several regional, national, and even international communities and conferences as both a speaker and advocate for children. But, her greatest love was being able to interact and engage directly with learners, including children, young adults, and the experienced educator, as she worked with along the way. She is a contributing member of EdTechWomen of Dallas, an organizer for EdCampDallas, and has received accreditation as a Google Certified Educator, and an Apple Teacher.
When she is not working on all things education, she enjoys traveling, exploring culinary arts, pretending to be a yogi, and spending time with her family.
Caren Cheatham
Board Member
A Texas girl – born and raised in the DFW metroplex. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with a business degree. I am a licensed insurance agent and have worked over half my life (27 years) at Zurich Insurance Company, the 5th largest insurance company in the world specializing in commercial property and casualty insurance. During that time I have earned several professional designations: Certified Insurance Counselor, Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals and Certified Insurance Service Representative.
I loved my Aunt Ruth -she was a truly beautiful soul. If Ruth Cheatham was a flower she would have been a sunflower because she exponentially improved the lives of others with her positive attitude and her generous encouragements. As a former patient of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, I know what it’s like to be a recipient of other people’s kindness and assistance. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis as an adolescent and received stellar treatment and care at no cost to my family. Simply put, I would like to pay it forward.
When I’m not being a total insurance nerd, I enjoy exploring as many beaches around the world as possible and filling my passport with interesting stamps. My passions are reading, traveling, yoga and performing random acts of kindness. I am so excited and honored to be working alongside my two beautiful nieces and nephew. They are so unbelievably talented, smart and most importantly compassionate. I am very blessed to have a grand total of 9 nieces/nephews and 3 great nieces/nephews and they all inspire me to be a better person.
Anna Frank
Board Secretary
Anna was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Saint Louis University with a degree in Business. She moved to the Dallas area while working for Chuck E Cheese's. Anna's career turned to the financial industry during the 2008 housing crisis, and she has worked at several mortgage servicers over the last decade. Anna currently works at U.S. Bank in Risk.
While her career is so important, in recent years, Anna's desire to give back has continued to grow. As so many people, Anna has been impacted by cancer and loss - losing a very close and dear friend to cancer and then suffering the loss of two babies herself. Being able to give back and help others, giving hope, and showing empathy for others has become more and more important. Anna joined the Board in 2017 and is thankful to be able to be a part of a team of smart, talented and caring individuals trying to make a difference for others in this world.
Anna's life is full and busy; with 2 dogs, 2 cats, a wonderful husband and 2 amazing daughters, both born via gestational surrogates. The gifts and life she has are never taken for granted and giving herself to help others is so important!
Brian Vaughn
Board Member
Brian has been in the Real Estate Industry for over 18 years, with the last 11 years as the Director of Marketing and Client Relations for McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce. Brian is responsible for all aspects of marketing for the Firm including client relations, communications, client development and public relations. In addition, Brian has been very involved in many mortgage industry associations including: Mortgage Bankers Association, Five Star: Legal League 100, American Mortgage Diversity Council, USFN (Diversity & Inclusion Committee), ALFN, WILLPower, Texas Mortgage Banker Association, MBA MPact, and Out and Equal.
Brian has the distinction of spearheading Employee Resource Groups within First American and Corelogic, earning him the coveted Kennedy Excellence Award. Because of his varied experience in this area, Brian is recognized as a leader in promoting Diversity in the mortgage and real estate industry. Brian has volunteered in numerous organizations throughout the years, most notably with The Ruth Cheatham Foundation, industry associations, Diversity & Inclusion organizations and DFW area LGBTQ initiatives. Brian is excited to be able to utilize his organizational and marketing skills for further TRCF goals and continue the foundations good works.
Brian holds a B.S. from Oklahoma State University.
Our Staff
Cheif Operating Officer
Holly is an Oklahoma native and graduated from East Central University with a degree in History and Political Science. Holly translates her passion for research and writing into the nonprofit sector. Over the past 12 years she has volunteered and consulted with various nonprofit organizations in the areas of grant writing, staff development, strategic planning, program development and marketing. Holly specializes in scaling nonprofits and organizational leadership. She has a passion for good and that drives her to search for opportunities to lend time and talent to work that is making a difference. She loves volunteering at her church and within her community.
Upon learning about The Ruth Cheatham Foundation, Holly immediately wanted to join in and work toward bringing awareness and resources to underserved and overlooked young adults battling cancer. This past year, Holly’s life was personally touched by an adolescent cancer diagnosis in a close family friend.
To quote Holly, “To watch my friend's daughter, and really their entire family, walk through this season has been eye opening. Then this opportunity presented itself and a personal passion intersected with a professional opportunity- so I jumped at the chance to work with the team at The Ruth Cheatham Foundation!”
When Holly isn’t working she is an unpaid uber driver for her three amazing children! She enjoys sushi date nights with her husband, cooking, and reading.
Director of Programming
Brielle was raised in New Jersey and attended the College of Charleston in South Carolina where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. She then completed a Master of Science degree in Child Life & Family-Centered Care from Wheelock College in Boston. Brielle returned to New Jersey to begin her career as a child life specialist in varying hospital settings in the NYC area. She spent most of her time working in pediatric oncology and learned so much about the specific struggles of this population. Brielle’s role in working with patients and families to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization gives her a unique perspective on what TRCF’s scholars have experienced.
Brielle discovered The Ruth Cheatham Foundation and was immediately drawn to the commitment that TRCF has to change the lives of young people impacted by cancer. Joining the TRCF team has been a dream come true for Brielle. Everyday she is inspried by TRCF’s scholars and their devotion to their education.
Brielle spends her free time with friends and family. You can find Brielle at the weekly spin class she attends with two of her best friends or going on adventures with her boyfriend and their King Charles Cavalier, Ozzie.
“Happiness is not a destination but a way of life”