Our Team

Board of Directors

Valerie Sobel
Founder and President, Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation
Los Angeles, CA

Gary Bess
Principal, Gary Bess Consulting
Paradise, CA

Patty DeDominic
Principal, Patty DeDominic & Associates
Santa Barbara, CA

Esteban Fuertes, M.D.
Pediatric/Adolescent Psychiatry
Santa Maria, CA

Mara Granderson
Los Angeles, CA

Timothy Holcer
Former President and CEO, Novaspect Operating Facilities
Chicago, IL

Keven Schnadig
Writer
New York, NY

Dr. Astrid Sheil
Associate Professor
California State University, San Bernardino

Meet our Staff

Anne Swire, Chief Executive Officer

Anne Swire I am honored to be the CEO of the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation. I’ve worked for three decades leading nonprofits and in higher education, and am mother to a cancer survivor and a child with chronic illness.

When our Nathan (now 20), was diagnosed with high risk leukemia at age 11, our world turned upside down. Nothing was important to my husband Peter and me except that Nate got better. The first day of Nate’s treatment in his research protocol, the Medical Chief told us, “Nathan is standing on the shoulders of the children who came before him. And those who come after will stand on his. “ After 26 months of chemo and radiation when Nate finally got a clean bill of health, I vowed to let other families that followed stand on our shoulders. I became the Direct of Development and Public Relations at The Children’s Inn at NIH, raising funds to support children and families who sought their “last best hope” at NIH. In 2007 I joined Valerie Sobel to lead ASRL and together with our wonderful Board, Staff and volunteers we run our national Family Assistance Program and raise funds to support this mission. I have an MBA degree from Wharton, a BA from Dartmouth, and have earned the Certified Fundraising Executive and Certified Association Executive credentials. But none of these credentials compare to what’s in my heart: passion for our mission to help struggling families of sick children.

I divide my time between my home in Bethesda MD and ASRL’s LA office. I welcome your inquires about how you can support and get involved with ASRL at aswire@andreriveroflife.org or 301-365-1137.

Courtney Kramer, Executive Assistant and Office Manager

courtney-kramer I am the Executive Assistant to our Founder and President, Valerie Sobel, and ASRL’s Office Manager. I provide support for Ms. Sobel and for our family assistance programs. I respond to requests from social workers and families, negotiate with vendors, and arrange assistance payments. I help plan fundraising events and answer queries from teenage survivors about our annual Andre Sobel Award Contest. Other things come up such as spending a Friday wrapping gifts for sick children at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles so that they can give something to their moms on Mother’s Day.

Before I came to ASRL, I was working first as a news anchor for radio and then in entertainment publicity. When my godmother died of cancer, I felt a pull towards working with an organization that supported those going through severe illness. When I learned about the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation I fell in love with its unique mission, and have been with the foundation for over a year. The most rewarding part of my job is reading all of the thank you letters we receive from the kids and parents we have helped. In my spare time, I pursue the arts and have written a musical that is currently being workshopped in Vancouver. I sing in a band and also am involved in theater productions. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation at courtney@andreriveroflife.org

Niki Guillory, Bookkeeper

I’m Niki Guillory, bookkeeper for the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation. I have worked first with Ms. Sobel and later with ASRL since 1998, after the birth of my second child caused me to seek employment that offered a good work/family balance. My duties include: writing checks for families in need, hospital grants, monthly bills, preparing financial statements, ordering supplies, preparing information for the accountant, and supporting Ms. Sobel at her Idyllwild, CA office. I remember the first check that was ever written for a family and the feeling of joy that came over me as I was able to be a part of helping a family in need. I enjoy working with the ASRL Foundation and knowing that we take our mission very seriously. Although I did not know Andre personally, I have become very close to the family and the mission of the Foundation. My own family includes two teenage sons, Joshua and Justin, and husband Steve. My email address is: niki@andreriveroflife.org

Meet our Interns

Rachel Litt

My name is Rachel Litt, and I am an intern at ASRL. I graduated in May 2008 from Yale University with a major in History of Science, History of Medicine. While at Yale, my studies in public health piqued my interest in the world of health care related non-profits, and ASRL allows me to combine my experience in development with this interest.

My primary focus this spring is the Andre Sobel Award for teen survivors. I am involved in organization, planning, communication and outreach for all aspects of the award, from attracting new sponsors to reading entries. Because it is not a scholarship, I believe the Andre Sobel Award is an extraordinary opportunity for young survivors to simply express themselves and discuss their experiences openly and truthfully.

I love that ASRL fills its own unique niche; I feel our work truly offers help where no other help may be found. You may contact me with any questions regarding the Andre Sobel Award at Rachel@andreriveroflife.org.