Executive Board

The Executive Board are not medical doctors or providers.  They are an inquisitive bunch of professional volunteer health advocates. They take no salary and hold their power of experience and networking to know where to seek answers to an unlimited number of questions surrounding the topic of breast cancer. Each Executive Board member is a “professional volunteer” spending their “off-work” hours making a positive difference in the lives of those struggling with the impact and implications of breast cancer in Ventura County, California.

Karen, Sylvia, Bob, Lisa, Tom and Beverly use their creative talents along with the professional expertise of the Advisory Board to educate the community while enlightening others to become their own health advocates. Their vision, along with other community volunteers and experts have made it possible to open an independent Breast Cancer Resource Center in Ventura County to assist those who struggle from the emotional and social impact of breast cancer.

Two Executive Board members are breast cancer thrivers contributing to the Ribbons cause by using their areas of expertise applying their unique skills, talents, and interests towards helping the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation (“RoL”) live out its mission. They know firsthand how breast cancer can impact a woman’s life and the life of her family, friends and surrounding community.

Executive Board Members

 Sylvia Rosolek, President

Sylvia began her journey with Ribbons of Life (RoL) in early 2003 when she attended her first BreastFest.  She needed support in dealing with her breast cancer.  Lisa Barreto and a small group of women provided that support and more.  They were compassionate, informative and eager to help share the burden of breast cancer.  Sylvia initially joined for the support, but stayed to help other women in the same situation.  She is committed to the cause and has formed life-long relationships in the process.  Sylvia shared, “My breast cancer and work with RoL changed my life.  The women and men are truly amazing.  Each person brings their own set of skills, talents and enthusiasm, that they willingly share”.

In 2005, Sylvia became the first-in-the nation to receive the Ribbons of Life breast cancer survivor-thriver scholarship.  The scholarship is given specifically to a breast cancer survivor who seeks education as a way of coping.  Sylvia completed a degree in Business, received training from Stephen Ministry and spent many years providing guidance and leadership to others. Education, training and life itself have contributed to her personal set of skills.  

A native of California and a resident of Ventura County for 50 years, she retired from the Dept. of the Navy as a civilian after 34 years. Sylvia has two grown children and three grandchildren.  She and her husband Dave enjoy camping along the Rincon and traveling the countryside in their RV with Riley, their chocolate lab.  She has a passion for sewing and enjoys making everything from Hawaiian shirts to memory teddy bears.

Little did she know after 17 years of service in various volunteer roles with this organization including as Acting President, Vice President , Membership Chair & Secretary, this dedicated volunteer stepped into yet another leadership position as President.

Lisa Barreto, Founder & Past President
For over 20 years, Lisa Barreto has served Ribbons of Life paving the way to provide local services benefitting those struggling with breast cancer, their families and community organizations within Ventura County. Her academic knowledge, personal experience, and leadership skills and experience—in mediation and law; business consulting and training; as well as hotel and personnel management—have assisted her in providing a solid leadership for RoL to help it grow while providing education, advocacy, emotional and social support to hundreds.

Diagnosed and treated for breast cancer three times—from 2002 to this day—Lisa knows first-hand how to best cope with breast cancer and many other life adversities. Before breast cancer, she earned a certificate in Therapeutic Listening Care from the Adventures in Caring Foundation in Santa Barbara visiting numerous patients in hospitals including intensive care and cardiac care units. She also visited with patient in numerous independent living and nursing facilities.

During her first journey with breast cancer, education served as a way for her to cope. She arranged her surgeries and treatments around her classes as she earned her academic credentials—a degree at Ventura College; a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) in Interdisciplinary Studies (English-Sociology-Anthropology); and two professional certificates in Negotiation and Mediation (UCSB and the U.S. Navy)

In March 2019, Lisa Barreto was awarded “Education Advocate of the Year” by the Ventura County Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) for her education and advocacy accomplishments within RoL and Ventura County.

A native New Englander, Lisa, her husband, Bob, and their little dog, Rocky, retired moving closer to their East Coast family in July 2019. In addition to continuing to serve on RoL’s board, she still writes blog entries for RoL’s website; and teaches art classes via ZOOM for RoL’s Create 4 Life art program.

During the present chapter of Lisa’s life, she enjoys on-the-road day trips with Bob and Rocky for day trips on the road. She enjoys playing with a variety of art mediums and is certified as a Zentangle® teacher/artist (Zentangle, Inc.) and a certified Neurographica® Specialist (Psychology of Creativity Institute). Her art, photography, and writing is inspired from her nature walks along small town roads while observing the ever-changing seasons. Her artwork has been exhibited in Amesbury, MA and Hampton, NH.

Your Name & Picture Could Be Here – Vice President

Our team is looking for a dedicated volunteer to work with us!  Please let us know if you have the desire, skills and attitude to fill this rewarding role.

Beverly K. Schaefer, Treasurer

In 2016 Beverly became our trusted treasurer. She  brings to the organization a wide array of unique skills, talents, interests and enthusiasm. She earned an associate degree from Central Piedmont College in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an extensive background in business organization, record keeping and management. Beverly demonstrates her devotion and dedication to the good work of Ribbons of Life, by actively participating in all the activities and events.

Although Beverly was raised in a wide area of the country, she has been solidly rooted in our Oxnard-Ventura area for over 20 years. She is a single parent of a son, who is now attending college.

Tom Hanna, CPA

Tom has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1990 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the   University of California, Northridge.  In 1991, he joined forces with Bob Carey, and started the accounting practice of Carey & Hanna, CPAs.  As Ribbons of Life’s Acting Treasurer, Tom assists balancing the books, doing our annual tax returns and has been helpful in Ribbons of Life being accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign and listed on their participating charities selections.

In addition to his CPA license, Tom is a licensed California Life and Health Insurance Agent, a registered representative* , a licensed Mortgage Broker, and a Real Estate Agent.  His experience in such fields allows him to specialize in Homeowner Association financial services, business consulting, office automation, and IRS representation.  Specific industries served include manufacturing, medical, construction, retail, and not-for-profit organizations.

Despite working long hours (especially during tax season!), Tom’s first and foremost passion is his family.  He and his wife, Shelley, have three college-age daughters and one Black Lab, Layla.  When asked about being the only male in the house, Tom jokingly replies, “It makes me a better Man!”

In addition to spending time with his family, Tom enjoys scuba diving at the local Channel Islands National Park.  He also enjoys the delicious local fish and lobster caught while diving and his other hobbies include golf, racquetball, snow-skiing, and cycling.

 Feel free to click on the name of the board member you wish to contact:

President – Sylvia Rosolek

Founder – Lisa Barreto

Treasurer – Beverly Schaefer

CPA – Tom Hanna

 Past President/Graphic Designer –  Karen Brown

Public Relations/Marketing – Bobby Barreto

Executive Board Members

The Executive Board Members at Large are those dedicated individuals who remain an active voice in the concerns of Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation.  Each has a long history of involvement with Ribbons and are willing to share the information they have and the history they all have in common.

Bobby Barreto, Executive Board Member at Large

Bob is a three-time breast cancer caregiver to his wife, RoL Founder, Lisa Barreto. His support in understanding men whose wives, daughters, or mothers are living with or going through breast cancer is extremely beneficial to the spirit of Ribbons of Life. Prior to the establishment of Ribbons, he earned a certificate in Therapeutic Listening Care (TLC) from the Adventures in Caring Foundation in Santa Barbara–an organization where he volunteered for several years along with Lisa visiting patients in hospitals, assisted living, and private residences.

His caregiving experiences for his wife, RoL Founder Lisa Barreto caused him to become an expert in charting medications to help manage pain levels, nausea, headaches and other side effects caused from breast cancer treatments. He created a notebook system, where he organized documents such as Lisa’s medical tests/records, meeting notes with medical providers, and matching EOBs (Explanation of Benefits from medical insurance) with incoming medical bills. As the former Public Relations/Marketing board director, Bob also established great rapport with local community vendors within Ventura County so support RoL.

 Bob is a veteran with the U. S. Air Force (USAF). Having served in law enforcement for four years with his tour of duty being in Cheyenne, Wyoming, he guarded and responded to alarms protecting the ICBM minuteman missiles. He holds a degree in carpentry from Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC). In his profession as both carpenter and glazer, his glass and mirror work can be found in many homes and hotels in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Westlake, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Las Vegas. In his semi-retirement, he worked as a Golf Marshall and Starter for Spanish Hills Golf and Country Club in Camarillo, CA.

 Since moving to New Hampshire with Lisa last year, as a member-at-large he is available on an as needed basis and maintains his ties with the operations of Ribbons of Life.

Karen L Brown, PhD, Honorary Executive Board Member

One Fall semester day, a young re-entry woman came into the Ventura College Re-entry and Women’s Center where Karen worked as the Assistant Coordinator. Lisa Barreto was so full of life, joy and determination that Karen agreed to help her organize Ventura Colleges first Breast Cancer Education and Advocacy Group, which is now Ribbons of Life.

Karen says, “Each step in this combined journey with Lisa, and the other amazing women of the Group, has been rewarding. They have shown strength and courage in the face of their challenges and are truly inspirations to others.”  Dr. Brown is no stranger to cancer. She has lost three relatives to breast cancer, several family members to non-specific cancers and has personally survived cervical cancer.

Karen’s’ journey began in North Carolina on a Thanksgiving Day. After spending a few years in her mothers’ home town, she and her sisters moved to Ventura to escape the cold winters of Iowa. Karen’s journey has taken her in many directions and has been filled with years of joy, laughter, and struggles. All of which have strengthened her resolve.  After a brief sojourn into marriage, Karen became a single parent of two remarkable children. She remained single for 25 years. During that time she raised her girls, traveled the world, completed an AA, MS, taught at three CSU campuses and completed her doctorate in Health Education.

Past Executive Boards over the years:  Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation is grateful for the hours and skills these professional volunteers have given to “the cause”. 

                                                   Thank you for your years of service!

Karen B., Tamilyn T., Sylvia R., Lesley P., Cynthia B., Debbie B.