Our Mission

Doug Sleeper, Chair

Doug, a native of Maine, began a banking career with a predecessor of Wells Fargo in 1984 after graduating from Boston College with a degree in Finance. He and his wife Kim were married in 1988 and transferred to Charlotte in 1992 with intent to begin building a family.  However, those plans were derailed shortly after when Doug was diagnosed with Periosteal Osteosarcoma in his right humerus bone.  Doug’s tumor was successfully removed with limb salvage surgery and he was treated with a twelve month chemotherapy protocol. Thankfully,  Doug has been cancer free since and he and Kim have been blessed with two sons, Jack and Will.

In his banking career, Doug held various roles in both Corporate and Investment Banking, retiring in 2019 as Global Head of Wells Fargo’s Business & Technology Services Investment Banking team.  Doug’s passion was always the development of a strong team and he was fortunate to work with some of the best and brightest talent within his specialized industry focus.

Over the years, Doug has served in various volunteer positions including Chairman of the American Cancer Society’s annual golf tournament, a member of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Foundation board, and recently as a member of the 2022 Presidents Cup Official Host Committee.  Doug is an avid golfer and enjoys cooking, gardening and reading. Doug is thrilled to bring his personal experience and passion to the PTF team.

Suzanne Levine, Vice Chair

Suzanne has been a real estate broker and manager at Mathers Realty since 2005. In addition to serving on the board of the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research, Suzanne is a troop leader with the Girl Scouts. In the past, Suzanne has served on the board of the Hornets Nest Girl Scouts Council and on the Outreach Committee at Carmel Country Club. In addition to the time spent developing her professional and philanthropic passions, Suzanne enjoys life with her husband Chad and their two Chihuahaus, traveling and playing tennis.

Lee Sugg, Treasurer

Lee is originally from Huntsville, Alabama and came to North Carolina to attend Wake Forest University where she earned a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting.  She moved to Charlotte first to work for Arthur Andersen and later Duke Energy.  She left the corporate world to stay home with her children and began her second “career” by becoming involved at her children’s schools.  She has spent the last fifteen years volunteering her accounting skills for the PTA and Athletic Boosters.

Lee became aware of the Paula Takacs Foundation when her good friend, Amy Mahaffey, was diagnosed with sarcoma.  After several years of participating in the Sarcoma Stomp, in July 2019 she took over as the treasurer of the foundation.  In April 2024 she officially joined the board continuing in her treasurer role.

Lee and her husband, Wes, have 3 wonderful kids.  When not working on Quickbooks she enjoys traveling, playing tennis, running and time at the lake.

Ashley Smith, Secretary

Ashley met Paula Takacs shortly after Paula’s diagnosis in 2004.  The two became close friends after their children became friends and classmates.  After volunteering at the Sarcoma Stomp every year since 2011, she decided that she wanted to do more than just volunteer at the event.  She wanted to honor her late friend and be a larger part of the fight against this disease.

Ashley is the owner of AWS Fitness.  When she is not training her clients, you can find Ashley on the tennis court or with her husband Aaron cheering on their two children at one of their many sporting events.

Jim Barnes

Jim grew up in London and emigrated to the United States in 1980. In 1989, he moved to Charlotte and became co-owner of a business that was purchased by AmWINS Group in 2004. Today, Jim is a Senior Vice President of  AmWINS Group.

Jim first found out about the Paula Takacs Foundation when his granddaughter, London, was diagnosed with sarcoma and learned that AmWINS Group had been a significant sponsor of the foundation’s annual Sarcoma Stomp for a number of years. Attending this fundraiser, and listening to London as the featured speaker in 2019, solidified his desire to serve the organization in a really personal way. Jim was proud join the PTF Board in early 2020.

Jim lives in Charlotte, NC near his kids and grandkids. He also has a beloved daughter in Atlanta, GA. When Jim wants to kick back, you can find him playing golf (well, trying anyway) or cooking with his wife, Judy.

Charlie Bartz

With nearly four decades of dedicated experience in financial banking, Charlie Bartz brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to community engagement. Throughout his illustrious career, Charlie has made substantial contributions to numerous organizations and initiatives, showcasing his unwavering dedication to making a positive impact.

As the Senior Vice President at TowneBank in Charlotte, Charlie has consistently displayed exemplary leadership and unparalleled proficiency in the financial sector. His strategic acumen and unwavering commitment to ethical business practices have not only garnered respect but also earned him admiration among colleagues and peers alike.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Charlie is deeply passionate about giving back to the community. He actively participates in philanthropic efforts. His involvement with the Paula Takacs Foundation exemplifies his dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

With a reputation for integrity, vision, and a genuine desire to effect positive change, Charlie Bartz is an invaluable asset to the board of directors of the Paula Takacs Foundation. His contributions continue to inspire and empower those around him to strive for excellence and create meaningful change in the world.

Heather Franklin

Heather is a Virginia native who relocated to the Charlotte area in 2001. She has worked for INLIVIAN (formerly the Charlotte Housing Authority) since that time, and is currently their Executive Vice President of Finance. Heather is a licensed CPA, and is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Heather learned of the Paula Takacs Foundation after her father was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma in 2015. She and her family created the team “Poppy’s Warriors” initially in honor of him, and continue to participate each year in his memory. She learned first hand just how rare these cancers are and wanted to help in any way possible to further the cause. In 2022 she decided she wanted to take a more active role, and joined the Board.

Heather and her husband Brian live in Dallas, NC. They have one daughter, Lauren, who attends Virginia Tech. They are devoted Hokie fans who continue to attend home football games each fall.

Heather Lopane

Heather learned of the Paula Takacs Foundation in 2017 after being diagnosed with Stage 3 myxofibrosarcoma in her right calf. As a sarcoma patient who underwent chemotherapy, radiation and limb salvage surgery, Heather saw firsthand the need for new and more effective treatments for sarcomas. Heather’s friends and family formed team “Heather’s Heroes” annually for the Sarcoma Stomp to support Heather as well as the Paula Takacs Foundation’s efforts to advance research in this devastating disease. Additionally, Heather decided to further her contributions to the work of the foundation by joining the Board of Directors in 2019.

Previously, Heather served for 7 years as the Director of Women’s Ministries at StoneBridge Church Community. She served numerous volunteer roles at StoneBridge such as Vacation Bible School Director, Bible Study leader, Life Group leader and Stephens Minister. Before moving to Charlotte, Heather was a Director of Human Resources.

Heather and her husband Frank have 3 grown sons (Matthew, Andrew and Sam) and 1 daughter-in-law (Madeline). Heather’s happy place is on water, either on a paddle board or skis.

Maya Logan

Maya Logan attained her education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she studied Quantitative Biology and Public Policy. Throughout her academic and professional career, Maya’s passions have centered on mitigating health disparities and advancing equity. Her works have led her to serve as a Technology Analyst at Accenture, community leader in the Obama Foundation, work with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her efforts have been publicized by the Journal of Experimental Neurology, Washington Post, and Grio. With community service as her foundation, Maya continues to uplift people battling Sarcoma Cancer and their families in remembrance of her grandmother.

Dr. Joshua Patt

Josh is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sarcoma and spine tumor surgery at the Levine Cancer Institute. He is originally from Denver, Colorado and obtained his BA from Brown University. He then received his MD and MPH degrees from Tulane University before coming to Charlotte for his orthopaedic surgery residency. Josh and his wife Rhonda (a local pediatrician) then spent two years in Seattle where Josh completed fellowship training in orthopaedic oncology and sarcoma care, followed by an additional year of training in spine surgery at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. They then returned to Charlotte for Josh to join the CMC Department of Orthopaedics and begin caring for sarcoma patients in the Charlotte region. Professionally Josh also stays busy in his role as the Residency Program Director of the Orthopaedic Surgery Training Program at Carolinas Medical Center and Atrium Health. He also serves as the Division Chief for Orthopaedic Oncology and is a member of a fantastic team of doctors and others caring for sarcoma patients as well as other cancer patients suffering from skeletal complications of cancer and other benign bone conditions. Josh is strongly vested in the work of the foundation and is excited for the opportunity to serve sarcoma patients and families in a new capacity. He and his wife Rhonda have three children who also love the Sarcoma Stomp — and have been participating in the event since they were in strollers!

Elizabeth Romano

Elizabeth currently serves as a National Client Manager for Partner Engineering and Science, Inc., an international environmental and engineering consulting firm, where she is responsible for developing clients and driving sales within the corporate and commercial real estate space. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Marketing in 2000, and Wake Forest University with an MBA in 2011. In addition to serving on the board of the Paula Takas Foundation, Elizabeth also currently serves on the Board of Directors for CoreNet Carolinas and Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful. Elizabeth lives in Belmont, North Carolina with her twin eight-year old boys, Dominick and Beckham. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys traveling, listening to live music, cheering on her Georgia Bulldawgs, and cooking for family and friends.

Reilly Shea

After graduating from Boston College where she received a degree in Biology, Reilly returned to her hometown of Charlotte where she began working for the Clinical Trials Office of Levine Cancer Institute. Since starting her career with LCI, she has become an Oncology Research Coordinator and has obtained the title of Certified Clinical Research Professional. Reilly conducts numerous retrospective and non-interventional oncology clinical trials with LCI, primarily focusing on both GI and Sarcoma research. Her work has been featured in the Journal for Gastrointestinal Surgery, Urologic Oncology, and Current Oncology as well as a variety of annual research conferences. Additionally, Reilly currently serves as the co-chair for her department’s unit based council. In her free time, Reilly enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family, friends, and beloved cat Otter Pop.

Tom Valle

Tom recently relocated to Cary from New Jersey. He and his wife have two adult children, both graduates of Baylor University in Texas. Tom graduated from the Air Force Academy, serving six years on active duty before joining the Reserves and attending Columbia Law School in New York. After working as a corporate attorney for a New York law firm and finishing up his career with the Air Force Reserves, Tom went on to serve in various positions with healthcare companies and, during that time, witnessed first-hand the devasting impact of cancer on patients and their families. After arriving in Cary, Tom became aware of the wonderful work being undertaken by The Paula Takacs Foundation in supporting research for pediatric and adult sarcoma and considers it a privilege to now be part of the PTF Team.
In his free time, Tom enjoys reading (with a good cup of coffee), traveling, fitness training and watching college football.