MEET THE BOARD
The Taylor James Steeves Foundation's board is comprised of volunteers in our community that were all personally touched by Tay's life. They donate their time and talents and provide stewardship for the Foundation and our charitable activities.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Windham
Occupation: Respiratory Therapist
Favorite Maine thing: Hiking and skiing
Brittany Wassick
Co-chair
Brittany's Why: Taylor truly was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. He had the ability to connect with everyone around him and he made it seem so effortless. My heart was shattered when he was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer the day before his 30th birthday and it shattered again the day he passed away. Through the heartbreak we realized we could continue his legacy with this foundation. I am so proud to be a part of something that provides help to other people going through the struggles of genetic lung cancer.
Member since: 2019
Hometown: Standish
Occupation:
Senior Specialist
Favorite Maine
food & activity:
I enjoy eating lobster rolls in my kayak while watching the sun come up 🤗
Claire Steeves
Board Member
Claire's Why: Taylor James Steeves, my baby boy. My heart filled by his supportive nature, bright future and encouragement, always. . He was a loveable rafter, rugger, dancer, brother, writer, mentor and courageous adventurer. His fabulous friend started this nonprofit in Taylor’s name to help fund, assist and educate those affected by NSCLC. Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: South Portland
Occupation:
Real Estate Broker
Favorite Maine food:
Red Hot Dogs
Favorite Maine activity: incorporating ‘wicked’ into any sentence
Julia Cyr
Board Member
Julia's Why: Taylor impacted so many people throughout his life. He had a unique way of connecting with people from all kinds of backgrounds and interests. He was fiercely loyal, incredibly kind and had the biggest heart. He was an inspiration before he got sick and an even larger one as we watched him fight. The foundation gave us a chance to keep fighting cancer on his behalf and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of it.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Steep Falls
Occupation:
Professional Singer/Actress and Aesthetician
Favorite Maine thing:
Summer
Ashley Ellis
Board Member
Ashley's Why: Tay was an absolute force of nature. If something like this could happen to him, it can happen to anyone. I wanted to be apart of something that would honor his legacy while helping those who will inevitably come after him. Genetic lung cancer is sad, but the stigma of lung cancer is tragic, and there’s no reason for it to be the most under-funded cancer research. Helping to fund more research will hopefully, someday, make organizations like ours unnecessary.
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Member since: 2018
Hometown: Windham
Occupation:
Favorite Maine thing:
Nikki Taiani
Board member
Nikki's Why: Text
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Gorham
Occupation: Esthetician/ Teacher
Favorite Maine Food: Fiddleheads and lobster
Favorite Maine Activity: Walking my dog in the woods and being near the water as often as I can be.
Mary Wassick
Board member
Mary's Why: 30 years old is too young to die.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Auburn
Occupation:
Graphic Designer
Favorite Maine Food:
Lobster rolls
Jessica Thibodeau
Co-chair
Jessica's Why: Some of my favorite memories of Taylor are of the random conversations we would have. Whether it be about life goals or just a lengthy conversation comprised only of witty puns. Losing Tay had a huge impact on me. It made me reevaluate how I wanted to spend my time and utlize my talents. I am so excited to see what the Foundation can do. Cancer sucks and we should do anything we can do to help.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Buxton
Occupation: Musician
Favorite Maine
food & activity:
Fried clams and going up to camp
Sean McCarthy
Treasurer
Sean's Why: Taylor was and will remain an inspiration for me, and I will strive to emulate his courage, drive, intelligence, and humor for the rest of my days. I hope to bring that same light and determination to others in need through the efforts of the Taylor James Steeves Foundation.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Windham
Occupation: Marketing Manager at Luke's Lobster
Favorite Maine Food: Moxie, fight me about it.
Shelbi Wassick
Secretary
Shelbi's Why: I joined the foundation after watching Taylor fight through his nonsmall cell lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. I was inspired and moved by his grace and power during what was a time of unimaginable stress and struggle. Now I want to ensure his legacy and fight is never forgotten and is used to inspire others to keep up their fight. My hope is that the foundation will be able to provide any semblance of support to other cancer patients as they navigate this disease.
Member since: 2019
Hometown: Auburn
Occupation:
Software Support Analyst
Favorite Maine food:
Whoopie Pie
Donald Thibodeau
Board Member
Donald's Why: When asked to join the foundation board it was a no-brainer. To be able to promote all that Taylor loved, with the people he loved is a great honor. There is no doubt that my life is better from having Taylor in it and I can only hope that I can pay forward his kindness to those who need it.
Member since: 2020
Hometown: Windham
Occupation: electrician/ amateur philosophizer
Favorite Maine food:
venison
Favorite Maine Hike:
backpacking Baxter
Ryan Bernaiche
Board Member
Ryan's Why: I joined the foundation to honor a dear friend. To share and give as Taylor did. I wanted to build something meaningful with an amazing group of individuals who share a common dream and do a lot of smiling along the way.
Member since: 2018
Hometown: Windham
Occupation: Software Support Team Lead
Favorite Maine Activity: Fishing
Casey Wassick
Board Member
Casey's Why: Taylor’s impact on my life was profound. He was kind and always put others before himself. As part of the foundation, I hope that we can make a similar impact on those that have been affected by a genetic form of lung cancer as Taylor had on my life.