About Our Board Chair
In 2004, when Betsy was just 13 years old, her mother, Mary Ann Wasil, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the next four years, Mary Ann worked tirelessly to start The Get In Touch Foundation, which received its official 501(c)(3) non-profit status on July 16, 2007.
Betsy was there from the start. At age 17, she was a Founding Board Member. Through her time in high school and her undergraduate studies, she worked alongside her mom at major fundraising events for the organization in Connecticut, California, and Virginia, while also mentoring the Get In Touch Youth Ambassadors.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2013, with a degree in Anthropology, Betsy accepted a fellowship at a boarding school in England where she taught various subjects and gained a global perspective on economics, health, and women, through her travels when not teaching. This ignited a passion around global health and wellness, which lead her to her graduate studies. In 2016, she petitioned for and earned a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies from Southern Connecticut State University. Her thesis is entitled, “Empowerment Through Decision-Making: Patriarchal Society’s Effect on Women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genetic Mutation.”
Throughout the time Betsy was working on her thesis, she was also working part-time as the Operations Coordinator at The Get In Touch Foundation. Then, in February of 2016, The Get In Touch Board of Directors voted to have Betsy step up as Acting President to fulfill the duties her mom could no longer tend to, due to her declining health. Just three months later, after Mary Ann’s passing, Betsy transitioned into the role of President. In October of 2022, Betsy moved on to other professional pursuits and in March of 2023 Jane Ferrall joined the Foundation as its first Executive Director.
Today, Betsy continues her dedication to The Get In Touch Foundation by serving as our Board Chair, providing strategic direction, leadership, and tirelessly promoting our mission and outreach.
About Our Board Chair
In 2004, when Betsy was just 13 years
old, her mother, Mary Ann Wasil, was
diagnosed with breast cancer. Over
the next four years, Mary Ann
worked tirelessly to start
The Get In Touch Foundation,
which received its official
501(c)(3) non-profit status
in January of 2008.
Betsy was there from the start. At age 17, she was a Founding Board Member. Through her time in high school and her undergraduate studies, she worked alongside her mom at major fundraising events for the organization in Connecticut, California, and Virginia, while also mentoring the Get In Touch Youth Ambassadors.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2013, with a degree in Anthropology, Betsy accepted a fellowship at a boarding school in England where she taught various subjects and gained a global perspective on economics, health, and women, through her travels when not teaching. This ignited a passion around global health and wellness, which lead her to her graduate studies. In 2016, she petitioned for and earned a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies from Southern Connecticut State University. Her thesis is entitled, “Empowerment Through Decision-Making: Patriarchal Society’s Effect on Women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genetic Mutation.”
Throughout the time Betsy was working on her thesis, she was also working part-time as the Operations Coordinator at The Get In Touch Foundation. Then, in February of 2016, The Get In Touch Board of Directors voted to have Betsy step up as Acting President to fulfill the duties her mom could no longer tend to, due to her declining health. Just three months later, after Mary Ann’s passing, Betsy transitioned into the role of President.
Betsy feels as though every step of her life up to this point has prepared her for this role as President of The Get In Touch Foundation and looks forward to carrying on her mother’s mission. Her enthusiasm for this work is inherent and her passion contagious. Betsy’s commitment to The Get In Touch Foundation’s vision of saving lives through global breast health education and advocacy is fundamentally who she is.
About Our Founder
It all started February 4th, 2004, when Mary Ann Wasil found a lump on her left breast. From that moment on, her life would never be the same again. While her cancer diagnosis was devastating, it was the catalyst to the creation of The Get In Touch Foundation®.
Mary Ann being a mother of three, felt it was important to arm and equip her children with all the information they needed to be informed and strong, just like she was. That meant sitting her two daughters down and teaching them how to do breast self-exams at ages 12 and 13.
Mary Ann then wondered how every other girl was learning this potentially life-saving skill, and found that nothing existed. So over coffee and donuts with a friend, the idea of The Get In Touch Foundation and the Daisy Wheel were born. This meant collaborating with medical professionals, hosting focus groups with girls in grades 5-12, and reaching out to local businesses in the community for support and funding of this educational tool that would teach breast self-exams. By striving to put a Daisy Wheel in the hands of every girl around the world, she realized her vision was to save lives through global breast health education.
About Our Founder
It all started February 4th, 2004, when Mary Ann Wasil found a lump on her left breast. From that moment on, her life would never be the same again. While her cancer diagnosis was devastating, it was the catalyst to the creation of The Get In Touch Foundation®.
Mary Ann being a mother of three, felt it was important to arm and equip her children with all the information they needed to be informed and strong, just like she was. That meant sitting her two daughters down and teaching them how to do breast self-exams at ages 12 and 13.
Mary Ann then wondered how every other girl was learning this potentially life-saving skill, and found that nothing existed. So over coffee and donuts with a friend, the idea of The Get In Touch Foundation and the Daisy Wheel were born. This meant collaborating with medical professionals, hosting focus groups with girls in grades 5-12, and reaching out to local businesses in the community for support and funding of this educational tool that would teach breast self-exams. By striving to put a Daisy Wheel in the hands of every girl around the world, she realized her vision was to save lives through global breast health education.
In 2008, the first 5,000 Daisy Wheels were rolled off the presses, and just about a year later, the Get In Touch Girls’ Program was launched to the world. Mary Ann was launched almost immediately into a new profession, from being a former police officer, model, actress, and working for the Catholic Church, she was now a public speaker, breast health advocate, feminist, and Founder, CEO and President of The Get In Touch Foundation.
Mary Ann was fortunate enough to be cancer free for 6 years, poured her heart and soul into her family, expanded the Get In Touch Foundation, and traveled the world, always spreading her philosophy of choosing joy, every day.
Then in 2012, Mary Ann had a stage-four metastatic breast cancer recurrence, but her commitment to The Get In Touch Foundation and it’s mission never wavered. She always said, “As long as I am here, I am going to spend every single moment educating everyone on the importance of breast health.”
Sadly, in April of 2016, Mary Ann passed away. However, her passion, legacy, and life-giving mission live on through her 3 children, and as she would say, her “fourth child,” The Get In Touch Foundation, because every day, HOPE LIVES!
A Diary of Healing is Mary Ann’s open and honest account of her intense and meaningful life with breast cancer. Her book is available on Amazon.
Buy Now

Original Daisy Wheel Instructional Video
In this 8-minute informational video, Founder, Mary Ann Wasil, instructs how to do a breast self-exam, using a giant Daisy Wheel model.
In 2008, the first 5,000 Daisy
Wheels were rolled off the
presses, and just about a year
later, the Get In Touch Girls’
Program was launched to
the world. Mary Ann was
launched almost immediately
into a new profession, from
being a former police officer,
model, actress, and working
for the Catholic Church, she
was now a public speaker, breast
health advocate, feminist, and Founder,
CEO and President of The Get In Touch Foundation.
Mary Ann was fortunate enough to be cancer free for 6 years, poured her heart and soul into her family, expanded the Get In Touch Foundation, and traveled the world, always spreading her philosophy of choosing joy, every day.
Then in 2012, Mary Ann had a stage-four metastatic breast cancer recurrence, but her commitment to The Get In Touch Foundation and it’s mission never wavered. She always said, “As long as I am here, I am going to spend every single moment educating everyone on the importance of breast health.”
Sadly, in April of 2016, Mary Ann passed away. However, her passion, legacy, and life-giving mission live on through her 3 children, and as she would say, her “fourth child,” The Get In Touch Foundation, because every day, HOPE LIVES!

A Diary of Healing is Mary Ann’s open and honest account of her intense and meaningful life with breast cancer. Her book is available on Amazon.
Buy Now

Original Daisy Wheel Instructional Video
In this 8-minute informational video, Founder, Mary Ann Wasil, instructs how to do a breast self-exam, using a giant Daisy Wheel model.
A Diary of Healing
Christopher Cappozziello tells the story of Mary Ann Wasil in his TIME Magazine photo journalism essay, “A Diary of Healing.”
A Diary of Healing
Christopher Cappozziello tells the story of Mary Ann Wasil in his TIME Magazine photo journalism essay, “A Diary of Healing.”
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a talented, diverse, and committed group of individuals who share a common passion for breast health education. Learn about their backgrounds and what they contribute to the organization here.

Betsy Nilan
Board Chair

David Yim
Treasurer

Board Member
Frank Duffin is a partner in Wiggin and Dana’s Corporate Practice Department and is chair of the Trademark Group. Mr. Duffin’s practice focuses on assisting clients in the development, protection and exploitation of their trademarks, copyrights and other proprietary works.
Formerly a Trademark Examining Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Duffin practices all aspects of domestic and international trademark law, trade name and domain name matters. Mr. Duffin counsels clients on clearance, procurement, and maintenance of their trademarks, providing strategic planning and management of domestic and international trademark portfolios. As part of the global management of client’s portfolios, Mr. Duffin coordinates and oversees all phases of international litigations, oppositions and cancellation proceedings, including proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Duffin also advises clients on enforcement and policing of their proprietary rights, including domain name disputes, coordination of investigations of potential infringers, risk/benefit analysis concerning actions against potential infringers, implementation of effective enforcement strategies, negotiating settlement and coexistence agreements, licenses and other creative methods of resolving conflicts. Mr. Duffin graduated with a B.A. from Central Connecticut State University. He received his J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law, currently known as Quinnipiac University School of Law, and is a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal honors fraternity.

Frank
Duffin
Secretary

Board Member
Wanda Carlson is passionate about her profession as an Insurance and Financial Services Agent with State Farm Insurance. Wanda began her career at State Farm in March of 1993. She started in Oaks, PA as an Auto Claim Representative. Wanda has had various insurance operation experiences which included being a Life/Health Underwriter in Ballston Spa, NY, and a Human Resources Specialist in Suffern, NY. Wanda is currently a State Farm Insurance/Financial Services Agent in Milford, CT and has owned and operated her own business since December of 2003.
Additionally Wanda serves as a board member of the United Way of Milford, the Milford Network of Executive Women, the Visiting Nurses Association of South Central CT, and The Get In Touch Foundation. She also participates in the community as a member of the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA); and member of Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities.
Founder, Mary Ann Wasil, was not just a client of Wanda’s, but also a friend. When Wanda’s mother passed away from lung cancer, Mary Ann’s presence was a source of light during this personal hardship
Wanda is a proud wife, mother, and mother in law. Her husband, John, currently works in her agency as the Office Manager. Her daughter, Regina, is living and working in FL. Her son, Daniel, is currently serving in the US Navy in VA on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Daniel’s wife Jessica lives in upstate NY and is waiting for Daniel’s return to civilian life in 2018.

Wanda
Carlson
Board of Directors

Board Member
Jill has 25 years experience in consumer marketing across many disciplines, and her broad range spans both the client and agency sides of the table. Upon graduating from Bryant University with a degree in Business Communications and Marketing, Jill started her career on the Consumer Promotion agency side working with blue-chip CPG clients including Pepperidge Farm, Nestlé, M&M Mars and Tropicana where she developed successful national and customer-driven marketing programs.
Jill continued to develop and broaden her marketing skills when she transitioned to the client side where she held senior marketing positions at Edgewell Personal Care and Elizabeth Arden/Red Door Spas. In 2004, Jill moved back to the agency world and accepted the position as President and CMO of Amplitude Marketing whose clients were Pfizer, MetLife, and Foxwoods Resorts among others. Responsibilities for their largest client, PepsiCo, included branding and identity work, experiential marketing and QSR programming across the CSD, teas and water categories.
Jill joined York & Chapel in 2018 as Executive Vice President responsible for brand strategy development, business operations management and agency growth. In 2019 she was promoted to Chief Executive Officer where she leads businesses that span a variety of verticals, most notably in the non-profit and charitable spaces. York & Chapel proudly supports The Get In Touch Foundation and feels honored to assist in the launch of The Daisy Wheel app.

Jill Kostzewski Perkins
Board of Directors

Board Member
Sarah Pichardo is the Finance lead for the Mexico Nutrition business at PepsiCo. She is an accomplished Finance Professional with 10 years of financial management experience.
She brings to The Get In Touch Foundation experience in developing and executing financially sound growth strategies across international and domestic markets for Multinational Corporations, Intreprenuerships and start-up’s. She is passionate about connecting people and accelerating an organization’s growth potential and reach.
Breast Cancer has affected many women in her life and has driven her passion for breast health education and early detection. She is committed to The Get In Touch Foundation’s mission to make breast health education accessible to all and to empower everyone to appropriately manage their breast health.
Sarah shares her time between the culturally rich metropolis of Mexico City and beautiful Miami, FL.

Sarah Pichardo
Board of Directors

Board of Directors
Robin L. Cautin is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sacred Heart University (SHU). Over the past five years at SHU, Robin has led numerous curricular, programmatic, and strategic initiatives, including the implementation of the University’s new Core Curriculum; the development of the Master’s in Social Work, Master’s in Public Administration, Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Master’s in Strategic Communication and Public Relations programs; and, the establishment of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts (in 2015), the School of Computing (in 2017), and the School of Social Work (2019). She leads the SHU in Dingle program, which is a University-wide initiative, involving all colleges, several extra-curricular groups, and multiple outside partners – here and in Ireland. Prior to joining SHU, Robin had been at Manhattanville College for 13 years where she served variously as Associate Provost and Dean, Chairperson of the Department of Psychology, and Professor.
Robin is a scholar in the field of history of psychology, particularly clinical psychology, and also publishes on myths and misconceptions in the fields of abnormal and clinical psychology. She is co-editor of the 5-volume Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology, published by Wiley in 2015. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy from the University of Delaware, and earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. She is licensed to practice in New York.

Robin L. Cautin
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a talented, diverse,
and committed group of individuals who share
a common passion for breast health education.
Learn about their backgrounds and what they
contribute to the organization here.

Betsy Nilan
Board Chair

David Yim
Treasurer

Frank Duffin,
Secretary
Frank Duffin is a partner in Wiggin and Dana’s Corporate Practice Department and is chair of the Trademark Group. Mr. Duffin’s practice focuses on assisting clients in the development, protection and exploitation of their trademarks, copyrights and other proprietary works.
Formerly a Trademark Examining Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Duffin practices all aspects of domestic and international trademark law, trade name and domain name matters. Mr. Duffin counsels clients on clearance, procurement, and maintenance of their trademarks, providing strategic planning and management of domestic and international trademark portfolios. As part of the global management of client’s portfolios, Mr. Duffin coordinates and oversees all phases of international litigations, oppositions and cancellation proceedings, including proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Duffin also advises clients on enforcement and policing of their proprietary rights, including domain name disputes, coordination of investigations of potential infringers, risk/benefit analysis concerning actions against potential infringers, implementation of effective enforcement strategies, negotiating settlement and coexistence agreements, licenses and other creative methods of resolving conflicts. Mr. Duffin graduated with a B.A. from Central Connecticut State University. He received his J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law, currently known as Quinnipiac University School of Law, and is a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal honors fraternity.

Wanda Carlson,
Board of Directors
Wanda Carlson is passionate about her profession as an Insurance and Financial Services Agent with State Farm Insurance. Wanda began her career at State Farm in March of 1993. She started in Oaks, PA as an Auto Claim Representative. Wanda has had various insurance operation experiences which included being a Life/Health Underwriter in Ballston Spa, NY, and a Human Resources Specialist in Suffern, NY. Wanda is currently a State Farm Insurance/Financial Services Agent in Milford, CT and has owned and operated her own business since December of 2003.
Additionally Wanda serves as a board member of the United Way of Milford, the Milford Network of Executive Women, the Visiting Nurses Association of South Central CT, and The Get In Touch Foundation. She also participates in the community as a member of the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA); and member of Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities.
Founder, Mary Ann Wasil, was not just a client of Wanda’s, but also a friend. When Wanda’s mother passed away from lung cancer, Mary Ann’s presence was a source of light during this personal hardship
Wanda is a proud wife, mother, and mother in law. Her husband, John, currently works in her agency as the Office Manager. Her daughter, Regina, is living and working in FL. Her son, Daniel, is currently serving in the US Navy in VA on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Daniel’s wife Jessica lives in upstate NY and is waiting for Daniel’s return to civilian life in 2018.

Jill Kostzewski Perkins,
Board of Directors
Jill has 25 years experience in consumer marketing across many disciplines, and her broad range spans both the client and agency sides of the table. Upon graduating from Bryant University with a degree in Business Communications and Marketing, Jill started her career on the Consumer Promotion agency side working with blue-chip CPG clients including Pepperidge Farm, Nestlé, M&M Mars and Tropicana where she developed successful national and customer-driven marketing programs.
Jill continued to develop and broaden her marketing skills when she transitioned to the client side where she held senior marketing positions at Edgewell Personal Care and Elizabeth Arden/Red Door Spas. In 2004, Jill moved back to the agency world and accepted the position as President and CMO of Amplitude Marketing whose clients were Pfizer, MetLife, and Foxwoods Resorts among others. Responsibilities for their largest client, PepsiCo, included branding and identity work, experiential marketing and QSR programming across the CSD, teas and water categories.
Jill joined York & Chapel in 2018 as Executive Vice President responsible for brand strategy development, business operations management and agency growth. In 2019 she was promoted to Chief Executive Officer where she leads businesses that span a variety of verticals, most notably in the non-profit and charitable spaces. York & Chapel proudly supports The Get In Touch Foundation and feels honored to assist in the launch of The Daisy Wheel app.

Sarah Pichardo,
Board of Directors
Sarah Pichardo is the Finance lead for the Mexico Nutrition business at PepsiCo. She is an accomplished Finance Professional with 10 years of financial management experience.
She brings to The Get In Touch Foundation experience in developing and executing financially sound growth strategies across international and domestic markets for Multinational Corporations, Intreprenuerships and start-up’s. She is passionate about connecting people and accelerating an organization’s growth potential and reach.
Breast Cancer has affected many women in her life and has driven her passion for breast health education and early detection. She is committed to The Get In Touch Foundation’s mission to make breast health education accessible to all and to empower everyone to appropriately manage their breast health.
Sarah shares her time between the culturally rich metropolis of Mexico City and beautiful Miami, FL.

Dr. Robin Cautin
Board of Directors
Robin L. Cautin is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sacred Heart University (SHU). Over the past five years at SHU, Robin has led numerous curricular, programmatic, and strategic initiatives, including the implementation of the University’s new Core Curriculum; the development of the Master’s in Social Work, Master’s in Public Administration, Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Master’s in Strategic Communication and Public Relations programs; and, the establishment of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts (in 2015), the School of Computing (in 2017), and the School of Social Work (2019). She leads the SHU in Dingle program, which is a University-wide initiative, involving all colleges, several extra-curricular groups, and multiple outside partners – here and in Ireland. Prior to joining SHU, Robin had been at Manhattanville College for 13 years where she served variously as Associate Provost and Dean, Chairperson of the Department of Psychology, and Professor.
Robin is a scholar in the field of history of psychology, particularly clinical psychology, and also publishes on myths and misconceptions in the fields of abnormal and clinical psychology. She is co-editor of the 5-volume Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology, published by Wiley in 2015. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy from the University of Delaware, and earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. She is licensed to practice in New York.