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Board of Directors

Meet Our Board

At Joy of Dawn, our mission is not only powered by our dedication to supporting breast cancer warriors but also by the remarkable individuals who lead us. We take pride in being led by a volunteer board of passionate and committed individuals who want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.

Our board members bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences to the table. Their collective expertise forms the backbone of our organization, ensuring that every decision we make is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by breast cancer patients and their families.

They volunteer their time, energy, and expertise because they believe in the transformative power of support and the importance of alleviating the financial burdens that often accompany breast cancer treatment. They are not just leaders; they are advocates, champions, and allies for every individual on this journey.

Joy LaForce

Founder

Charlotte Chance

President

Ashley Merrick

Vice President

Lana Samples

Treasurer

Robyn McCammon

Secretary

Janet Hudson
Beth Hedrick
Miriam Keller
Lisa Davis
Kelley Perry
Keni Lanagan

Our Mission

With our support at Joy of Dawn, patients can find hope in the midst of their health challenges. 

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Get Involved

Joy of Dawn is a non-profit that operates on donations. Help us help others by donating today.

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Our Dedication

We are dedicated to providing financial assistance so patients can focus on their recovery without worrying about financial stress.

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Joy LaForce - Founder

Joy LaForce is the owner of LaForce Insurance Agency in Maryville, Tennessee, and the founder and Executive Director of Joy of Dawn. After her own breast cancer journey in 2020 to 2021, Joy was inspired to create an organization that helps ease the financial burden many patients face so they can focus on healing that launched in October of 2023. A passionate advocate for her community, Joy is committed to building partnerships, supporting local families, and making a lasting difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. When she’s not serving clients or leading Joy of Dawn, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially relaxing together in the backyard.

Charlotte Chance - President

Charlotte Chance moved to Maryville in 1990 and has built a life centered on faith, family, and serving others. A proud mother of three children and grandmother to six grandchildren, she treasures time spent with her family, gardening, reading, and traveling.In 1994, Charlotte was diagnosed with Leukemia and endured daily chemotherapy treatments for two and a half years. That experience gave her a deep compassion and understanding for the challenges cancer patients and their families face. She is honored to be part of Joy of Dawn, helping provide financial support and encouragement to those undergoing treatment.Charlotte has worked in the financial and insurance industry since late 1997 and is the owner of her own insurance agency. Through both her professional work and personal experiences, she is passionate about helping others navigate life’s challenges with care and compassion.

Ashley Merrick - Vice President

Ashley Merrick is the founder of United Capping LLC, a company created from her personal experience navigating breast cancer and her commitment to supporting women through treatment. Originally from Fentress County, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Education from the University of South Alabama. At age 38, Ashley was diagnosed with HER2positive, estrogen positive breast cancer, facing chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and longterm medication while raising two young sons. Discovering cold cap therapy allowed her to maintain her hair, protect her children from the visual impact of cancer, and preserve her emotional strength throughout treatment. After being declared disease free, Ashley felt called to help others facing similar challenges. She founded United Capping to provide personalized cold cap support services throughout chemotherapy. Ashley is also an active community volunteer with organizations such as the Maryville City Schools Foundation, Junior Service League of Maryville and Joy of Dawn. She and her husband, Bryan, live in Maryville with their two sons, Jaxon and Logan, and enjoy golfing, watching their kids play sports and traveling together.

Robyn McCammon - Secretary

Robyn McCammon is the founder of the alternative performing arts school, The Rock and Metal Academy, which she owns and operates with her fiancé, Detroit-born clown/comedian/actor Scott Wilding and their talented team of experienced musicians and actors. For nearly 20 years, the Academy has offered premier pop, rock and metal music and theater lessons in an inclusive and affirming environment, guiding performers along their musical and performing arts journeys to careers in entertainment and hosting countless performances in local venues and for community events throughout Blount County and beyond. She is honored to work with many nonprofit organizations in our area to provide entertainment, music, and sound equipment for fundraising and awareness efforts, and proudly sits on the board of Joy of Dawn, Alnwick Community Center and SkyCity Entrepreneur Center. A long-time Maryvillian, she holds a bachelor degree from Maryville College where she studied English literature, theater and art and graduated Leadership Blount in their class of 2024. Robyn is excited to be part of the team that helps Joy of Dawn continue their mission to support our cancer-fighting neighbors in need.

Janet Hudson

Janet is a Desert Storm veteran and dedicated nurse anesthetist struggling with the long-term effects of Gulf War toxin exposure. She spent years searching for natural ways to heal. After more than 30 years of suffering, she discovered a revolutionary non-invasive phototherapy technology that transformed her health. The treatment relieved her pain, restored her energy and sleep, and allowed her to once again enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, and traveling without discomfort. Now at 67, she feels healthier and more vibrant than ever. Inspired by her own healing journey, she is passionate about helping others improve their health naturally and helps those who want to join this movement to be successful in the business. When Joy of Dawn was in the starting phases, she felt in her heart she needed to help. After watching her grandmother battle breast cancer for most of her adult life, supporting others facing similar challenges became deeply personal. That passion led her to join the board of Joy of Dawn, where she is dedicated to encouraging and supporting those fighting breast cancer and other health struggles.

Beth Hedrick

Beth is a proud Maryville, Tennessee native who is passionate about serving her community and supporting families facing life’s toughest challenges. She earned her degree in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee and went on to become a Registered Dietitian, dedicating her career to helping others improve their health and well-being.
 
Her decision to join the Joy of Dawn Board of Directors is deeply personal. After watching her grandmother battle breast cancer, she realized how much organizations like Joy of Dawn can mean to patients and their families. Knowing her grandmother would have benefited from the financial assistance and compassionate support Joy of Dawn provides inspired her to help ensure other women never have to face their cancer journey alone.
 
Outside of her professional and volunteer work, she enjoys golfing, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her two-year-old son, Jack, and her yellow Labrador Retriever, Riley.

Miriam Keller

Miriam Keller is the owner of Miriam Keller State Farm Agency and is passionate about supporting local women and families in the Blount County community through her involvement with Joy of Dawn. As a small business owner, Miriam values building meaningful relationships and helping others through both personal and professional challenges. She is especially honored to support Joy of Dawn’s mission of providing financial assistance to local women experiencing a loss of income while undergoing breast cancer treatment. Miriam has proudly called Maryville home for the past six years, where she lives with her husband, Dave, and their daughters, Sydney and Sophia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, supporting local events and organizations, and finding ways to make a positive impact in the community she loves.

Lisa Davis

Lisa Davis recently made Maryville her home after relocating from the South Florida community where she was born and raised. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master of Business Administration and has spent more than 30 years helping nonprofit organizations grow through fundraising, donor relations, and grant development.Throughout her career, Lisa has had the privilege of serving organizations that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, including a university, a hospital foundation, and a ministry supporting single mothers and their children. She believes in the power of community, compassion, and giving back, and is grateful for the opportunity to use her experience to support nonprofits in Blount County.Joy of Dawn’s mission is especially meaningful to Lisa because her sister is a breast cancer survivor.  Lisa lives in Maryville with her husband, Paul, and their Havanese puppy, Latte.

Kelley Perry

Kelley brings more than 26 years of experience in the financial industry and joined First Citizens Bank in 2024. She is passionate about helping businesses grow and values being part of the nation’s largest family-controlled bank, known for its commitment to relationship based banking and long-term success. A dedicated community leader and advocate for business development, Kelley actively serves throughout East Tennessee. She is an Ambassador for the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce and serves on numerous committees. In 2024, she was honored as Ambassador of the Year for the Blount County Chamber of Commerce. Kelley is a member of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Association of General Contractors and Executive Women International.  In January 2026, Kelley was diagnosed with non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer. Following surgery and completion of radiation treatments, the experience inspired her desire to join the Board of Joy of Dawn to support and encourage others walking through their own breast cancer journey. Outside of work, Kelley enjoys traveling, attending concerts with her husband and friends, visiting family in Florida and spending time with her son in Texas.

Keni Lanagan

Keni Lanagan brings a lifetime of communications, leadership, and service to the Joy of Dawn Board of Directors. She retired after more than 20 years at Maryville College, serving most recently as Director of Human Resources, following a successful 15-year career in public relations. Keni holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Florida.Keni’s commitment to Joy of Dawn is deeply personal. As a breast cancer survivor, she understands firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Her passion for the organization’s mission is further shaped by the loss of both her mother and aunt to breast cancer, inspiring her to help ensure that no woman faces the journey alone.Now retired, Keni enjoys spending time with her family and remains committed to health and wellness as a graduate of Survivor Fitness.

Application Information

Please use the form on the Contact Us page or email jo*********@***il.com to request an application.

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