Board of Directors & Staff
Kimberly Emory
Board President
Kimberly Emory is the Board President of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) and a 15-year survivor of ovarian cancer.
After finding herself on the other side of her ovarian cancer diagnosis, Kim wanted to help spread the word about ovarian cancer its symptoms and risk. Kim’s story illustrates why GOCA’s mission to increase awareness and educate women, their families, as well as the health care community about risks, symptoms, and treatment of ovarian cancer leading to earlier detection – is so important.
Kim’s passion is volunteering at health fairs, lunch and learns, advocating for ovarian cancer on Capitol Hill and GOCA’s Survivors Teaching Students – Saving Women’s Lives program. Kim was recently selected as a Consumer Peer Reviewer for the Department of Defenses, Ovarian Cancer Research Program.
Kim is a native of Atlanta and lives in Griffin, GA with Erik her husband of 26 years.
Ray Muhammad
Board Vice President
Ray Sanders Muhammad is passionate about his family and children. His greatest joy is seeing his children grow and be happy pursuing excellence in their areas of passion.
His inspiration in this fight against ovarian cancer is his children and his mother Elaine, whom he lost to this disease. Ray’s personal mission is to obliterate ovarian cancer by any means necessary. He desires to see all women and their families free from the stress of being diagnosed with this disease. Ray looks forward to working with anyone who seeks to achieve this goal and is honored to be a part of this cause.
He holds a PhD of Business Management. He teaches management, accounting, and
finance on the undergraduate, masters and doctoral level. His research explores women in leadership, particularly intra-racial experiences of African-American women and men in the workplace.
He hopes to provide valuable insight into the experiences of a large aspect of the American work force so that the talents of these workers can be better understood and appreciated. Hopefully this research will be duplicated among all minority groups so unique cultural and societal nuances of each group will allow for diversification of American businesses.
Carolyn Hughes
Board Secretary & Volunteer Coordinator
Carolyn’s first introduction to ovarian cancer awareness occurred in 2013 from a dear friend who was battling this disease. During their conversation, she mentioned that she and another survivor shared a vision to have an event promoting educational awareness in their community and asked her to assist.
In May 2014, Let’s Talk Teal event was birthed with 100 people in attendance. Later that year, she lost her dear friend to this dreadful disease. In 2017, history was made when 500 participants attended Let’s Talk Teal, making it the largest African-American ovarian cancer event in country.
Her inspiration for becoming a Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) Board member is to enhance their vision and expand it to new level. She has been actively involved in coordinating volunteers and community outreach programs that increase ovarian cancer awareness and educate Georgia’s women, their families, sororities, church groups, political organizations, and other audiences about the risk and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Columbus College and a Masters degree in Information Technology (IT) from American InterContinental University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter.
Patrice Peters
Board Member
Fitness dynamo Patrice Peters is the owner and operator of InclusiF Fitness Enterprises, a corporate wellness facilitator and company that provides wellness services online and for special events. Peters, an experienced personal trainer, group exercise instructor and health coach, brings a wealth of expertise to the business of fitness.
With 20 years of industry experience, Patrice is certified as a Group Exercise Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach by Aerobics & Fitness Association of America, National Association of Sports Medicine and American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. Her talents have allowed her to do presentations with celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons, Billy Blanks, Jeanette Jenkins, Phillip Weeden, and others.
She also holds certifications from Zumba, Silver Sneakers and Pound Fitness associations and is experienced in multiple exercise formats including Spin by Madd Dog and class formats approved by the YMCA. She has been an American Red Cross volunteer instructor certifying others in First Aid, CPR and AED training, since 2005.
Peters discovered her passion for fitness in 1996 as an instructor in the physical education department at City University of New York as a student earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She was hired by the Greater New York YMCA and served as the Director of Health and Wellness from 1998 to 2006. Peters has also worked as an instructor for the New York Health and Racquet Club and as an instructor and Assistant General Manager at Bally Total Fitness in New York City.
Shortly after completing a Master’s degree in Public Administration, she decided to venture outon her own and in 2007, Peters opened InclusiF Fitness. This work has extended to partnerships which include City Club of Buckhead in Atlanta, DeKalb Medical Wellness Center, and a variety of local community centers.
In 2014, Peters decided to expand her business enterprise and opened Cosmic Energy Fitness Studio where she partnered with a variety of talented and passionate instructors and offered a wide spectrum of creative dance and fitness classes. She has served as a fitness instructor for the
Atlanta Beltline fitness program, warm-up instructor at a variety of 5K races around metro-Atlanta and is the creator of the Caribbean Carnival themed event, the Whine, Walk, Run 5K.
Peters’ passion for helping others extends beyond fitness. For that reason, in 2020 she earned a paralegal certificate from the University of Georgia. As a paralegal she primarily works on cases where an individual’s health has been compromised by a process or product. She also is the Health and Wellness Committee chairperson for the Caribbean Association of Georgia, implementing new initiatives to promote health and well-being especially in the Caribbean community.
Over the years Patrice has lost a few members, usually seniors who have passed away of natural causes. However, losing a young client to ovarian cancer made a huge impact on her. This led to her being a supporter of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, doing Zumba fundraising events for the cause to now being a GOCA Board member.
Her mission is to deliver aid wherever she can, sometimes in a quiet legal environment or a board room and sometimes via high-energy and effective workout sessions. One of her favorite lines she recently heard and loves, “Serving others is the rent we pay for being here on earth!”
Tony Preston
Board Member
Tony Preston serves as the Vice President of Sales and Professional Relations for Aspira Women’s Health. Aspira Women’s Health is dedicated to the discovery, development and utilization of novel high-value diagnostic and bio-analytical solutions that help physicians diagnose, treat, and improve gynecologic health outcomes for women. Tony brings over 20 years of sales leadership in pharma and diagnostic sales, building and leading teams in large organizations as well as start-ups. His passion to assist in the fight against ovarian cancer stems from his time and work at Aspira Women’s Health. Tony holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and a Masters in Business Administration from Wingate University in Charlotte, NC. He is currently working on a Financial Success for Non-Profits certificate from Cornell University. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, surfing, exploring in his old Land Rover, camping, and fly fishing.
Sharon Sigler
Board Member
Sharon is a native of Atlanta. She graduated from Sprayberry HS in Marietta and graduated from UGA with a BA in Journalism. Her career spans 30+ years in sales/marketing in the radio industry for national and local radio stations.
She is a 29-year ovarian cancer survivor/thriver and is married to Larry, an executive at
Waffle House. They have a daughter, Lauren, who was born after her ovarian cancer
diagnosis and treatment. She considers Lauren her “miracle baby”.
Her dedication to GOCA stems from the fact there was no screening or early detection test for this disease when she was diagnosed in 1992 and there is still not one today. She is determined to share the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer to as many people possible so they may know what she did not.
Her CANcer story was featured in Cobb Life Magazine’s December 2021 edition. After
thriving through four bouts of cancer, she is developing a personal enrichment program:
Sharon’s Tools for Surviving/Thriving: Overcoming Anything and Everything!
Roderick Smith
Board Member
“I have been serving the citizens of Atlanta for nearly 30 years and have seen many
charitable organizations at work,” Smith said. “The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance’s grassroots efforts and team-oriented environment create unique support for those impacted by ovarian cancer with a goal of changing the outcome for many. After working with GOCA over the years, I’ve determined that its model and mission is the right fit for me as I consciously commit to working for change and making a difference. I look forward to joining the team and helping to provide a sustainable future for survivors and their families.”
Chief Smith, an established leader in the community, has 28 years of fire service experience with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. He has extensive knowledge and training in numerous aspects of fire service, including structural and aircraft rescue and firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous materials, administration and personnel management, public education and relations, research and development, strategic planning, Emergency Medical Service, executive development, and Homeland Security.
Chief Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Morehouse College and a
master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Columbus State University. He is a founding member of the Fire Services Information Technology Consortium and holds numerous professional certifications. Chief Smith recently completed the National Fire
Academy’s Executive Officers Program.
E. Richard Taylor
Board Member
Richard is on the Board of Directors and sits on the Finance Committee. He was compelled to take action in the fight against ovarian cancer after watching his mom, Christine (Chris) Taylor, battle for over six years, before finally passing away in 2019.
Richard is the founder and managing partner of ARRC Capital Partners (ARRC Capital), a real estate development firm focused exclusively on the Atlanta metro area. His specialty is multifamily housing with a strong emphasis on affordable housing and homelessness
prevention. Prior to founding ARRC Capital, he worked in the private equity industry at
NextGen Growth Partners. Before that, he was an investment banker, first at Raymond James, then at Robert W. Baird. During that time, he worked with both publicly and privately held companies on mergers and acquisitions advisory and strategic corporate advisory
mandates.
Richard earned a Master’s in Finance from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor’s in Finance and Accounting from Clemson University, cum laude.
Richard is dedicated to giving back to the community: in addition to his role at GOCA, he is in the Center for Leadership at the Urban Land Institute, a member and part of the Emerging Leaders Initiative at the Council for Quality Growth and attends the Cathedral of Christ the King and Saint Joseph’s mass community—where his mother worshipped. Never one to turn down a challenge, Richard backpacked around the world—37 countries on four continents. The people he met and places he visited catalyzed his desire to see his community flourish. Richard spends his free time following his Clemson Tigers and is never shy about cooking a
new recipe.
Doug Barron
Executive Director
Doug is the Executive Director of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) and not your typical ovarian cancer awareness advocate. His mother-in-law was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001 and lost her battle with the disease in 2007.
Following her death, he was active with various ovarian cancer organizations as a fundraiser and volunteer. In 2008, along with his wife, he became involved with GOCA in a fundraising capacity. This led to him becoming a Board Member, and, in 2009, Doug was elected Board Vice President.
In January 2010, following a 25-year career in the financial services industry, he became
Executive Director of the organization. His business experience, relationship
development, and passion for the cause bring a unique perspective to the ovarian cancer community.
Under his guidance, GOCA has grown to be recognized as one of the premier ovarian cancer education and awareness organizations in the country.
