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Our Team
Christina Parrish - Founder/Chair
Christina Parrish founded The Purple Iris Foundation as a result of what was then her 3 1/2 year journey through pancreatic cancer. She was given the life-changing news on June 16, 2008. Needless to say, she initially reacted with shock and then was told that she had only 3-6 months to live with treatment. She was appalled and decided then that no one in her lifetime should be given this news – thus The Purple Iris Foundation was born to help raise awareness and support her fellow patients. Christina is proud to say that she is a 14-year survivor. Christina is living proof that there is hope. Christina is a seasoned human services professional, who through her 2 decades in the field has garnered exceptional experience and expertise working with adults and children with disabilities. She was also the director of a large child care facility, and most recently worked for a major bank in the collections division. Christina’s duties include but are not limited to: Coordinate the 5K fun run and the purple iris planting project, manage volunteers, public relations, business administration, and fundraising.
cparrish@purpleirisfoundation.com
Natalee Kohls - President
Natalee is a graduate of the University of Maine at Machias with an Assoc. Liberal Arts Degree, in 1987 and a graduate of the New England School of Communications in Radio Broadcasting, in 1991. Member of the Kappa Alpha Kappa Service Sorority. She brings her experience in media, broadcasting, promotions, web/graphic design and marketing. In private practice, Natalee is a ThetaHealing Practitioner and Intuitive Anatomy Practitioner....she teaches all levels of Usui Reiki, offers Reiki sessions, personal spiritual coaching, and is a motivational speaker and author of the Incredible Adventure of Moxy the Maine Moose.
nkohls@purpleirisfoundation.com
Phyllis Couch - Vice President
Phyllis brings with her considerable background in management, operational management, customer service, sales, financial modeling, accounting, and public relations. This experience was gained through more than 25 years as an office manager, Department manager and Optician. Duties will include but are not limited to: Helping the president coordinate the 5K fun run and the purple iris planting project, coordinating volunteers, public relations, business administration, and fundraising.
pcouch@purpleirisfoundation.com
Tyler Parrish - Volunteer "ProjktCncr" Project Manager
tparrish@purpleirisfoundation.com
Christie Hines - Volunteer & Advocate
Christie Hines is a resident of Falmouth, Maine and is a single Mom to her 3 daughters Kaylee (25), Lacie (15) and Mallorie (12). Christie is a 6 year Breast Cancer Survivor and has been an advocate for the disease ever since. She has participated in events and raised funds for various cancer organizations for many years. In 2017, Christie's longtime boyfriend Tommy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. She left her job to care for him full time. After a year's worth of trying everything to save his life, Tommy passed away on September 4, 2018. He had just turned 50 years old. After his passing, Christie researched and discovered the Purple Iris Foundation. She held an event in Tommy's memory to raise funds for the foundation and will continue to advocate and educate others about this horrible disease.
ccantara@purpleirisfoundation.com
Rhonda Williams - PIF Board Member
Rhonda has several years of nonprofit, and management experience. Rhonda has an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources. Rhonda’s passion for assisting those with pancreatic cancer comes from losing a family member to this disease in January of 2010, after a 5-year battle.
Rhonda’s goal is to provide personal and compassionate support to those who are affected by pancreatic cancer.
Rhonda is the Founder/National Director of the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
Andrea Gray - PIF Board Member
I love to travel, read, and spend time with my amazing nieces. I just got back from my bucket list family trip to Atlantis and my next big trip is a Transatlantic Mediterranean Cruise.
I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity to work with the Purple Iris Foundation. My dear friend always said "Everyone knows someone impacted by cancer." This is my chance to help.