THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025
THE RITZ-CARLTON , TYSONS CORNER
1700 TYSONS BOULEVARD
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA 22102
AN EVENING TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS AT EVENT PROGRAM
5:30–6:30 P.M. COCKTAIL RECEPTION
6:45–7:30 P.M. PANEL DISCUSSION MODERATED BY LESLI FOSTER, FEATURING DR. CLAUDINE ISAACS AND BLAIR TODD
7:30–8:30 P.M. DINNER SERVICE
8:30 P.M. AFTER PARTY
A team of breast cancer physicians and scientists dedicated to the cure.
The Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center brings together over 70 researchers and clinicians in a multidisciplinary collaboration aimed at understanding the biology of breast cancer, developing prevention strategies, and discovering new treatments. Their work includes pioneering studies in genetic counseling, particularly concerning BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, and participation in numerous national and international clinical trials.
Founded by fashion designer Ralph Lauren and the late Washington Post Company president Katharine Graham, the center was established in 1989 as a tribute to Nina Hyde, former fashion editor of The Washington Post.
Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi have been at the forefront of understanding and fighting breast cancer for 50 years. Marc Lippman, M.D., former director and current member of Georgetown Lombardi, published a paper with his colleague Gail Bolan, M.D., in the journal Nature in 1975 detailing the relationship between estrogen and breast cancer. His findings contributed to the development of new methods of detection and treatments for breast cancer. In 1950, the life expectancy of those with breast cancer was less than 25%. Today, owing in part to these new treatments, life expectancy is above 90%. The work of Lippman and other Georgetown Lombardi researchers is essential to reducing breast cancer both in our community, and around the world.
Inspired by Janet Davis Brooks and Barbara McDuffie, this Innovation in Breast Cancer Award has one goal: to identify and support future research leaders who will keep the field of breast cancer research vibrant with new ideas. Innovative pilot projects led by young investigators are essential to securing financial and scientific support for long-term breast cancer research efforts and are critical to uncovering new insights about the disease. This annual award will support early stage ideas with the potential to transform scientists’ understanding of breast cancer.
Congratulations Dr. Claire Conley, 2025 recipient of the Davis-McDuffie Innovation in Breast Cancer Award!
In receiving this award, Dr. Conley shared: “I come from a long line of women who have had breast cancer. My maternal grandmother was a two-time breast cancer survivor, my maternal aunt is currently living with metastatic breast cancer, and my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in high school. I know firsthand how cancer can affect individuals and families as people are going through the treatment process, adjusting back to life after cancer, and what it’s like to live with high risk for breast cancer. The goal of my work is to improve the lives of people going through similar experiences.
I sometimes get strange looks when I tell people that I’m a clinical psychologist and I work in oncology research. But I think it’s important to recognize that our thoughts and feelings impact cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. And of course, cancer can have a major impact on psychological functioning. Understanding these complex relationships is key for us to improve outcomes related to cancer.”
Lesli Foster is an award-winning journalist and mainstay of Washington news as a weeknight anchor for WUSA9. She has spent more than two decades working as a journalist, advocate, and first informer to earn the trust and respect of viewers in the greater Washington Metropolitan Area. She works to inspire and make an impact through her work as a weeknight anchor at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. Known for her warmth, and ability to share reaching stories, Foster thrives on work that touches everyday living. She has interviewed many local, national, and international luminaries, but she most enjoys talking with ordinary people using their lives to do extraordinary things. Journalism, she says, is her life’s work, and feeds her drive to make a difference in the lives of people.
Claudine Isaacs is a professor of medicine and oncology at Georgetown University, and she leads both the Clinical Breast Cancer Program at Georgetown Lombardi and the Jess and Mildred Fisher Center Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Genomics Research. She specializes in the care of women with all stages of breast cancer. With over 20 years practicing medicine, she has served as the principal investigator of a variety of clinical trials in the treatment of early-stage and metastatic breast cancer, and she is currently the principal investigator of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium, the I-SPY 2 trial at Georgetown University. She has been named one of America’s Top Cancer Doctors by Castle Connolly and Newsweek, and she has received designations from Washingtonian Magazine and Women’s Health Magazine
Living with stage 4 breast cancer since 2022, Blair Todd embraces each day with gratitude, purpose, and the unwavering support of her loved ones. She is happily married to Steve and is a mom to 13-year-old daughter, Piper. Todd thrives both personally and professionally as head of HR for an IT company supporting the federal government. She credits the care team at Georgetown for fueling her belief in the power of research, community, and hope through life’s challenges. The Spirit of Life Award is presented to exceptional individuals who have navigated the challenges of breast cancer, raise awareness in their communities, and provide hope to those touched by this disease. We are so grateful to Todd for sharing her story with us.
Thank you to our dedicated volunteer leadership! Lombardi Women would not be possible without your support.
CO-CHAIRS
Jennifer Bognet Meredith LaPier
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
January Adkins
Paige Barger
Sherrie Beckstead
Tomi Beightol Sargent
Jordan Brainard O’Neil
Erin Cotter
Dhvani Doshi
Tracey Gardiner
Phyllis Liebman Brill
Nicole Miller
Andrea Murray
Mara Olguin
Angela Poliskey
Wesley Preuss
Rosanne Richards
Killeen Rivers
Karen Terry
Anisha Thanki
Susan Thomas
Jessy Toor
Katie Yanushonis
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS, UNDERWRITER, AND GENEROUS SUPPORTERS!
Allsteel
Andersen
Beacon Capital Partners
BXP
CBG Building Company
Colonial Parking, Inc.
Comstock Companies
Cooley LLP
Cushman & Wakefield
D | Watts Construction dancker
DAVIS Construction
Deceder Group
DPR Construction
Dweck Properties
ECS MID-ATLANTIC, LLC
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Gensler
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Henricksen
Holland & Knight LLP
SPECIAL THANKS TO Encore
The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner Tungez
JLL
Lehman Smith McLeish
Lincoln Property Company
M&T Bank
Mara Olguin
MillerKnoll
MOI, Inc.
Monday Properties
Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP
ODNB
OTJ Architects
Penney Design Group
Price Modern LLC
rand* construction
Regency Commercial Construction
Rock Spring Real Estate Solutions
Steelcase
Tarantino Engineering Consultants, PC
TKR Advisors, LLC
TMG / Rockefeller Group
MEDIA PARTNER
LOMBARDI WOMEN WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR DEDICATED WINE DUDES FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THIS EVENT!
Butternut Squash & Ancient Grain Salad
Red and White Quinoa, Farro, Roasted Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, Beet Spiral, Mache Lettuce, and Maple Vinaigrette
Signature Rubbed Grilled Filet
Red Wine Jus, Piped Truffle Mashed Potato, Potato Chip, Julienne Vegetables, French Beans, Micro Greens, and Fried Sweet Potato
Vegetarian Entree: Cauliflower Cous Cous Celery Root, Purple and Yellow Dragon Cauliflower, Julienne Vegetables, and French Beans
Spiced S’more Chocolate Cake
Milk Chocolate Caramel Feuilletine Clusters, Fleur de Sel Dark Chocolate
We are honored to present this year’s Lombardi Women Raffle, courtesy of Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers: Chopard 'Happy Hearts' Pendant Necklace, valued at over $5,000. Raffle Tickets are $50 each
Don't miss your chance! Visit one of our volunteers to purchase your tickets— winner to be announced at the end of tonight's programming.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 38TH ANNUAL
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 THE ANDREW W. MELLON AUDITORIUM
WASHINGTON, DC
Chicago Title celebrates 19 years of partnership with Lombardi Women, backing their steadfast dedication to advancing breast cancer prevention and research.
Lombardi Women is one of the signature fundraising events for Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more information about Lombardi Women and other events, please contact us at lombardievents@georgetown.edu or 202-510-0175.
Thank you for your support. CONNECT WITH US! @lombardiwomen