T'Ana Johnson, MSN, CMSRN, RN-BC

Board Member, North Star Cancer Research Foundation

T’Ana Johnson, MSN, CMSRN, RN-BC began her nursing career with a BSN from Old Dominion University. She later obtained her MSN in Nurse Leadership from ODU as well. With over 25 years of healthcare experience, she has gained a diverse knowledge of the many facets of medicine.

Breast cancer advocacy came to the forefront of her life when she initially received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2015. Even after enduring varied cancer treatments, her cancer advanced in 2022 to Stage 4.

Her goal is to educate and inform those in underserved and rural communities.

She brings to North Star a background in science, healthcare and patient advocacy training. She believes in community and that no one should suffer alone. She wants to help push the change that will cure this disease.

Emina Kudla, MBA

Board Member, North Star Cancer Research Foundation

Emina Kudla is a growth leader with expertise in marketing transformation, data-driven strategy, and performance marketing. Emina holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a BA from Loyola University Chicago.

She is a Senior Advisor at BCG, helping client companies achieve sustainable, customer-centric, profitable growth through data-driven strategies, products and programs . Previously, she served as Chief Marketing Officer at USAA Bank, where she spearheaded the transformation to performance marketing and a shift toward multi-channel digital marketing—delivering record results while retaining the unique member focus that is the foundation of the company.

Inspired by her sister’s and husband’s survivorship, she is personally committed to advancing cancer research and finding cures.

Carolyn Leigh, L.Ac.

Founder and President, North Star Cancer Research Foundation

Carolyn Leigh, L.Ac., has a Bachelor of Science in International Finance and a Master in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She was a biochemistry tutor for 5 years and had a private acupuncture practice in Los Angeles for 15 years, where she also spent much of her time as an intstructor for acupuncture interns at low-income and HIV clinics.

In 2018, she was the third member of her family to be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, including her uncle. She then spent years studying the latest scientific breakthroughs about the immune system & immunotherapies for cancer before launching North Star Cancer Advocacy in 2022 and recently North Star Cancer Research Foundation.

She brings to North Star a strong background in science, medicine, education and public service with a goal of opening up immunotherapy bottlenecks in the development of cancer cures. She fiercely works for the betterment of future generations.

Safa Sabanovic, MBA

Treasurer and Board Director, North Star Cancer Research Foundation

Safa Sabanovic earned an MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She spent twenty years in banking before becoming an owner of multiple businesses. She has served on the boards of several nonprofits.

Safa’s story began in Bosnia where she survived war and genocide before emigrating to the United States as a refugee. In 2016, she faced a different kind of battle when she was diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. Together, her unborn daughter and she underwent chemotherapy, and she has endured many treatments in the years that followed.

She brings to North Star a long and successful background in both business and nonprofit strategy, finance, and community building to strengthen organizations and expand their impact. Through science, community, and faith, she believes we can change the future of cancer and is dedicated to being part of that change.