The Women and Leaders Behind Our Mission
A Women’s History Month Reflection
During Women’s History Month, we often celebrate the trailblazers who shaped history. But it’s also a time to recognize the women who quietly build community every day—lifting one another up, offering support, and creating spaces where others can find strength.
At Teal Diva, that spirit of women supporting women lives at the heart of everything we do.
And it’s the same spirit that guides the people working behind the scenes to support this community.
At Teal Diva, everything we do begins with one simple belief: no woman facing gynecologic cancer should ever have to walk this journey alone.
The retreats, survivor gatherings, encouragement outreach, and moments of connection that define this community don’t happen by accident. They are made possible by a dedicated group of leaders, survivors, advocates, and volunteers who believe deeply in the mission of supporting women and families affected by gynecologic cancers.
Every community has people who quietly hold it together—the ones who show up, lend their talents, and help ensure no one has to face hard moments alone.
Today, we’d like to introduce you to the staff and board members who help nurture this community and support the women who are part of it.
“At Teal Diva, community isn’t just part of the mission—it’s the heart of how survivors support one another.”
Staff
Shannon Routh
Founder & Executive Director
At just 32 years old and newly married, Shannon was diagnosed with Stage IIa clear-cell carcinoma, a rare gynecologic cancer. After surgery and chemotherapy, she turned her experience into something powerful—creating Teal Diva so that other women facing gynecologic cancers could find the support and connection she knew mattered so much.
Her vision was beautifully simple:
Healing isn’t just about treating the body—it’s about connection, community, and celebrating life beyond cancer.
Christy Chambers
Social Media & Content Coordinator
Christy is a mom, artist, and stage 4B cervical cancer survivor. After attending a Teal Diva retreat in 2023, she experienced firsthand the powerful sense of connection that happens when survivors gather together.
Today, she helps share the stories of this community through social media and storytelling—amplifying survivor voices, spreading awareness about gynecologic cancers, and reminding others that hope can still grow even in the hardest seasons.
Stan Elling
Mission Support Coordinator
Stan first learned about Teal Diva after meeting Shannon and her family in their neighborhood and hearing about the organization’s mission. Inspired by the impact the community was having on women facing cancer, she began volunteering her time.
Today, Stan supports the organization both behind the scenes and at events, helping ensure the programs and gatherings that mean so much to survivors continue to run smoothly.
Board of Directors
Each member of the Teal Diva board brings their own story, experience, and passion to the mission. Some were drawn to the organization through personal experiences with cancer, while others were inspired by the community they discovered through Teal Diva’s work.
Together, they help guide the organization while ensuring survivors remain at the heart of every decision.
Bridget McClellan
Board Chair
Bridget first connected with Teal Diva after a close friend was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Although she later lost her friend, she found a powerful sense of community within Teal Diva during that difficult time.
Today, she honors her friend’s memory by helping ensure other women and families can find that same circle of support.
Amy Treadwell, DVM, DACVO
Vice Chair
Amy is a veterinary ophthalmologist and a survivor of stage IIIC endometrial cancer. Her experience navigating diagnosis, treatment, and life after cancer inspired a deep commitment to supporting others on a similar journey.
Through her work with Teal Diva, Amy helps ensure survivors continue to find encouragement, understanding, and celebration in life beyond diagnosis.
Perry Blickenstaff
Treasurer
Perry is the founder of JPB Accounting Services and has spent her career helping entrepreneurs feel confident and supported in their businesses.
She was drawn to Teal Diva because of its mission to uplift women affected by gynecologic cancers, and she uses her financial expertise to help ensure the organization’s programs remain strong and sustainable.
Jenni Miehle
Secretary
Jenni Miehle is the owner of The Nerdy Designer, a creative studio focused on information design and visual storytelling.
As the granddaughter of a uterine cancer survivor, she feels a personal connection to Teal Diva’s mission and enjoys supporting the organization with both her creativity and organizational skills.
Jasmine Swaggard
Board Member
Jasmine’s connection to Teal Diva is deeply personal. Her mother is a long-term ovarian cancer survivor, and she also honors the memory of her grandmother who lost her battle with the disease.
Her involvement with the organization is fueled by a desire to raise awareness, celebrate survivors, and inspire hope for families facing gynecologic cancers.
Jessica Lineberger, MSN, FNP-C
Board Member
Jessica is a nurse practitioner whose career has included work in psychiatry, emergency medicine, and hospital medicine.
Through her work caring for patients and families, she has seen firsthand how important compassionate community support can be during difficult times, which drew her to the mission of Teal Diva.
Leigh Bryant
Board Member
Leigh is a real estate professional and leader with more than two decades of experience in sales and business development.
After losing a friend to ovarian cancer and supporting her mother through breast cancer survivorship, she felt called to help build communities where women feel supported, encouraged, and empowered.
Lisa Helms
Board Member
Lisa first discovered Teal Diva while volunteering at the Teal Diva 5K after completing treatment for ovarian cancer.
Inspired by the community she found, she became an active volunteer and now supports survivors through the YES Girl! program while mentoring women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Tara Ballard
Board Member
Tara has dedicated more than two decades to oncology care and cancer support programs.
Her experience in oncology rehabilitation, wellness, and survivorship programs brings valuable insight to Teal Diva’s work supporting women and families navigating life during and after cancer
A Community Built on Purpose
Every person involved with Teal Diva brings their own story and passion to this work. Together, they help ensure that survivors and families continue to find the connection, encouragement, and sisterhood that make this community so special.
In many ways, this work is its own quiet chapter of Women’s History—women lifting one another up, creating community, and leaving a legacy of strength for those who come next.
Because at the heart of Teal Diva is a simple truth:
No one should ever have to face gynecologic cancer alone.
