Judi Shils, Executive Director

While sitting in a county supervisors meeting in 2002, listening to concerned citizens asking questions about the high cancer rates in their neighborhoods and expressing thoughts as to possible causes, Judi realized someone needed to organize a grassroots effort to seek answers; thus the formation of the Marin Cancer Project.

Spearheading community projects is nothing new to Judi. In 1995, she created the very successful Diary Project, an on-line forum for teenagers. In 1996, Judi founded, and continues to direct, the annual "Celebrate Arts," a countywide art exhibition for approximately 70 K-12 schools now in its 8th year. In 2001, Judi produced "A Day in the Life of Marin," a project with high school students culminating in a book that served as the annual report for the Marin Community Foundation.

She has been a consultant for the California Coastal Commission since 1996, focusing on public education programs where each year she helps organize California Coastal Cleanup Day.

She is a co-founder of the Pesticide Education Group. Judi has been a consultant for the California Coastal Commission since 1996, focusing on public education programs where each year she helps bring to life the California Coastal Cleanup Day.

Judi attended Temple University and American University in Washington D.C. She is an Emmy Award-winning network television producer who started her career with ABC Sports in New York 25 years ago. She produced the first critically acclaimed reality-based television special "3,000 miles, 21 days, 10 cents" in 1998 .

Judi resides in Marin with her teenage daughter, Erin.

DR. MAGGIE LOUIE, Scientist, Dominican University of California

Maggie holds a Masters in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and has been doing cancer research since the year 2000. In 2005, she accepted an Assistant Professor and Scientist position at Dominican University, where her currently uses her breast cancer research to train students to think critically and develop scientific theories. Her research is focused on understanding the development of hormone refractory breast cancer, with a special emphasis placed on investigating the effects of heavy metals on breast cancer cell proliferation. In 2006, she became a research mentor to Jessica Assaf, an active member in the Teens for Safe Cosmetic and together they are now investigating the effects of the chemicals found in cosmetic on breast cancer cell growth. Shortly after she got involved with the Teens for Safe Cosmetic campaign, she joined the Search for the Cause and became a board member in 2007. She is currently an active member of the research committee for the organization.

Catherine Evans, Board Member

Catherine Evans, CFP® is a Board Member for Search for the Cause. She is a Managing Director with First Republic Wealth Advisors. Since 2002 she has assisted clients with their wealth management planning and investment decisions with a personal interest in socially responsible investing. Prior to this Catherine was an Associate in the San Francisco office of Mercer Management Consulting. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley as well as the Certified Financial Planner designation. She lives in Marin with her husband and two young children.

Sue Schow

Zem Joaquin

Zem Joaquin, Green Design and Strategy Consultant, is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ecofabulous.com, a website that dedicated to finding the best of the best when it comes to sustainable, sexy, stuff. Zem also applied her eco-chic talents to Condé Nast’s House & Garden magazine as the former Eco Editor and currently to Domino Magazine as Contributing Eco-Editor. She also hosts a segment on a popular morning radio show and co-hosts episodes on national television programs such as Kimmora Lee Simmons “Life in Fab Lane,” and the upcoming Adrian Granier “Alter Eco” program. Zem regularly featured in various print, online and television channels, and she is frequently introduced and quoted as an industry thought leader and green design authority. A certified green building professional, protogé of William McDonough and long-time fashionista, Zem consults on eco-design projects for individuals and corporations. Her approach, mission and vision are inspirational and captivating as she is frequently engaged by leading corporations such as PG&E, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Visa and Whole Foods to lead mid level & senior management teams through tailored green strategy presentations and educational seminars. She is also co-founder of the Cradle to Cradle 2009 conference. When Zem is not writing for her website, preparing her next monthly contribution to a media channel, or helping a company “go green,” she is committed to her positions on the Board of Directors Global Green USA, Healthy Child, Healthy World, and Teens for Safe Cosmetics. She has lived and worked in Milan, Paris and London and finally settled down in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two young children.

Recent Design Projects:
• First LEED Certified MedSpa
• Her home (which has been featured in USA today, PotteryBarn.com, House & Garden Magazine, Building Green TV and more, for its beautiful aesthetic and green design)
• Office Space for a bay area Venture Capital firm
• Currently advising on a high profile residential project in the San Francisco Bay Area

Jennifer DeVito

Marti Andrews

By profession Marti is a trainer, and has owned her own training company (Workshops that Work) for 28 years. She works with clients in all levels of the public sector, both throughout the United States and overseas. Marti helps employees be better at their jobs through communication, presenting, meetings, interviewing, and other professional skills classes. Marti has volunteered and worked at Search for the Cause (Marin Cancer Project) for four years. She is married with two boys, Jason (17) and Seth (15). Marti was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 and spent eight months in treatment – and is ready to celebrate 10 years cancer free!

Patricia Ziegler

Patricia Ziegler is the co-founder of Banana Republic, The Republic of Tea and ZOZA.
After majoring in Art at UCSB she joined the editorial staff of the SF Chronicle as an illustrator and courtroom artist. She worked briefly as a fashion editor, columnist and syndicated on-air fashion “tipster” before co-founding Banana Republic with her husband and partner, Mel Ziegler.  Over its first ten years they built 100 stores, a legendary catalogue business, travel book division, and launched the magazine TRIPS, winning national awards in fashion, direct marketing design and performance, and architectural design.
In 1992 she co-founded TROT, creating the category of premium teas with its award winning package design. She co-authored The Republic of Tea, Letters to a Young Zentrepreneur (Random House).
In 2000 she co-founded ZOZA, an internet clothing for the sport of living.
She also co-founded The Mountain School and the Garden School (now the Greenwood School).
She and Mel, her husband of 30 years, have two children. Patricia’s interests center on healthy design, food, home and environment.  Currently she is advising small businesses, and is writing and illustrating a children’s book on healthy eating habits

James M. Schurz

Mr. Schurz represents clients in federal court, state court, and a broad range of arbitration forums in complex civil actions. Mr. Schurz’s practice encompasses all manner of commercial transactions and intellectual property matters, including actions for breach of contract and business torts, including unfair competition, fraud, trade libel, products liability, and joint venture/distributor termination.
Mr. Schurz has broad experience representing energy companies, resource companies, electronics manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies. Mr. Schurz has served as trial counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations.