The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara has added five new trustees to its board – Leslie Baines, Lisa Guadagno, Dr. W. Warren Suh, Priscilla Higgins, PhD, and Arick Fuller. The volunteer board of trustees focuses exclusively on fulfilling the Foundation’s mission: to ensure superior cancer care for all residents of Santa Barbara County.
Leslie Baines graduated from The American University and is married with two children and two grandchildren. She is an experienced senior CEO with significant corporate and non-profit fiduciary, investment, finance, audit and governance experience through corporations and board memberships with universities, companies and non-profits. She has been Chair, Vice Chair or CEO of 11 for-profit or non-profit organizations. An active member of the community, Leslie has been on on the Executive Committee of the Duke University Health System. In addition, she was the Chair of the Board at Duke University Medicine, Chair of the American University Board, Execuitve Committee of Signature Theater in New York City and was also on the Board for the Roundabout Theatre in New York. She is currently on the Board of the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, chairing its Investment Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee.
Lisa Guadagno has over two decades of experience in financial services, demonstrating her seasoned expertise. Her focus centers on cultivating strategic partnerships, driving innovation, and shaping global strategies. Currently serving as an Industry Advisor, Board Member, and Executive Consultant at Extern, Outamation, and Sunshine Ventures, she provides invaluable guidance on market trends, growth initiatives, innovation, and enhancing employee experiences. Lisa holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business, underlining her academic foundation. Her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging is evident through her involvement with the West Coast Lead Employee Resource Group and Ability, as well as her contributions to CALM and Transition House. An advocate for professional development, Lisa initiated a mentorship program for early-stage professionals in India, demonstrating her dedication to fostering talent globally. Lisa is married and resides in Santa Barbara with her husband. She has two adult children (Alexandra and Andre) and a new puppy, Shiloh.
Dr. W. Warren Suh joined the Cancer Center in 2009 following his faculty position with Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He holds a joint degree in Medicine and Public Health in Healthcare Services Outcomes Research from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine and Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Mayo Clinic and then a Radiation Oncology residency from the University of Michigan where he was the Chief Resident. He is married with two children and a dog, named Bear.
Priscilla Higgins, PhD was born in Zambia and raised in East Africa. She was educated in England at Cambridge University, where she received a BA in Natural Sciences followed by a PhD in Physics. She later received a Masters in International Education at Stanford University. Her career has been in education and the computer and telecommunications industry both in the UK and more recently in Silicon Valley where she ran the technical training and technical publications department for a telecom company. Priscilla is President of the Higgins-Trapnell Family Foundation which focuses on the relief of human suffering, education and the environment. She has served on the board of Direct Relief International and has been a board member of the Trapnell Fund at Oxford University, founded by her father who was one of Britain’s pioneering African ecologists. Priscilla and her husband moved from Silicon Valley to live full time in the Santa Ynez Valley at the beginning of 2004. Between 2001 and 2015 they built and managed a vineyard, winery and wine business, Cimarone Wines. Since 2008, she has been on the board of the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation and served as its president in 2014 and 2015. She currently serves on the board of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach. She previously served on the Cancer Foundation Board from 2016-2023. Priscilla has two adult sons.
Arick Fuller is a native of Santa Barbara and has been involved with cancer-related foundations for over 20 years. Most notably, Arick is a founding member of The Friendship Paddle, whose mission is to raise money and support annually for a selected individual battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Arick is a former patient of the Santa Barbara Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and The City of Hope and has experienced firsthand the excellent care and facilities provided to local cancer patients. Arick is a UCSB graduate and lives in Mission Canyon with his wife Kelly of 28 years and their two sons. Professionally, Arick works with his brother Andrew in their three-generation family apartment development and investment company. Arick is Vice President of Santa Barbara Commercial Mortgage, a private lending and investment affiliate of the company.
“We welcome our new trustees and eagerly anticipate the wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives they will bring to our board,” shared Lori Willis, Executive Director of the Cancer Foundation. “Their leadership and vision will further enhance our ability to support local cancer patients and families for years to come.”