Who We Are
Caylie is the co-founder and president of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, the non-profit branch of the Coalition. She is also the widow of Firefighter-Paramedic Andy Valenta, who passed away from melanoma at the age of 33. Andy left behind his 2 little girls, that were only 4 and 2 at the time of his passing.
Andy’s death was determined to be occupational-related, meaning the job led to his death. With cancer being the leading cause of death amongst firefighters, Caylie recognized the lack of cancer screenings happening in most fire departments and wanted to make a change. She knew it was just a matter of time before another firefighter died from skin cancer.
She co-founded AVMF, never imagining that it would become so successful so quickly. Caylie loves being able to give back to firefighters throughout California, that work tirelessly to protect and care for the community.
Caylie is also a mentor with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, helping other women go through what she has been through. She also volunteers as an ambassador for Tunnel to Towers Foundation. In addition to the foundation work, Caylie has been a Physician Assistant for 13 years. She is passionate about improving people’s health, in the clinic and at the fire stations.
You may be lucky enough to see Caylie, her 2 little girls, and their dog Sunny at a Skin Cancer Screening event near you!
Caylie is the co-founder and president of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, the non-profit branch of the Coalition. She is also the widow of Firefighter-Paramedic Andy Valenta, who passed away from melanoma at the age of 33. Andy left behind his 2 little girls, that were only 4 and 2 at the time of his passing.
Andy’s death was determined to be occupational-related, meaning the job led to his death.
With cancer being the leading cause of death amongst firefighters, Caylie recognized the lack of cancer screenings happening in most fire departments and wanted to make a change. She knew it was just a matter of time before another firefighter died from skin cancer.
She co-founded AVMF, never imagining that it would become so successful so quickly. Caylie loves being able to give back to firefighters throughout California, that work tirelessly to protect and care for the community.
Caylie is also a mentor with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, helping other women go through what she has been through. She also volunteers as an ambassador for Tunnel to Towers Foundation. In addition to the foundation work, Caylie has been a Physician Assistant for 13 years. She is passionate about improving people’s health, in the clinic and at the fire stations.
You may be lucky enough to see Caylie, her 2 little girls, and their dog Sunny at a Skin Cancer Screening event near you!
Mark is an engineer for the Vista Fire Department and worked closely with Andy for many years. He is co-founder of AVMF.
Sheila Johnston is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Luminari Partners, a management and consulting firm serving associations, nonprofits, coalitions, and mission-driven organizations nationwide. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation. She is also the host of the Revenue Speaks Podcast.
A strategic leader, storyteller, and association executive, Sheila partners with organizations across healthcare, public safety, legal, and advocacy sectors to strengthen leadership, increase engagement, and expand impact. Through Luminari Partners, she helps organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution, transforming ideas into actionable strategies that drive meaningful and lasting results. She currently serves as Executive Director for multiple organizations, guiding governance, communications, operations, and organizational growth.
While serving as Executive Director of the California Society for Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Sheila led the statewide launch of the Spot Skin Cancer™ program in California. That work led to a chance meeting with Caylie Valenta, founder of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, and a partnership that continues today through shared efforts to advance skin cancer awareness, prevention, and education.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and belief that relationships drive impact, Sheila is passionate about bringing people together around a shared purpose and helping organizations turn vision into action. Her colleagues often describe her as someone who leads with both heart and determination, approaching every challenge with a simple belief: big missions deserve bold thinking.
When she isn’t working, you’ll likely find her sailing with her husband, spoiling her beagle, Duke, or reaching out to friends and family simply to remind them they matter.
Sheila Johnston is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Luminari Partners, a management and consulting firm serving associations, nonprofits, coalitions, and mission-driven organizations nationwide. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation. She is also the host of the Revenue Speaks Podcast.
A strategic leader, storyteller, and association executive, Sheila partners with organizations across healthcare, public safety, legal, and advocacy sectors to strengthen leadership, increase engagement, and expand impact.
Through Luminari Partners, she helps organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution, transforming ideas into actionable strategies that drive meaningful and lasting results. She currently serves as Executive Director for multiple organizations, guiding governance, communications, operations, and organizational growth.
While serving as Executive Director of the California Society for Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Sheila led the statewide launch of the Spot Skin Cancer™ program in California. That work led to a chance meeting with Caylie Valenta, founder of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, and a partnership that continues today through shared efforts to advance skin cancer awareness, prevention, and education.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and belief that relationships drive impact, Sheila is passionate about bringing people together around a shared purpose and helping organizations turn vision into action. Her colleagues often describe her as someone who leads with both heart and determination, approaching every challenge with a simple belief: big missions deserve bold thinking.
When she isn’t working, you’ll likely find her sailing with her husband, spoiling her beagle, Duke, or reaching out to friends and family simply to remind them they matter.
Scott Jennie serves as the California State Director and National Training Program Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting firefighters, EMS workers, and their families facing cancer diagnoses. In his role, Scott leads efforts in providing critical resources, mentorship, and advocacy for those affected by occupational cancer in the fire service.
Scott chairs the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month committee for FCSN, where he collaborates with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) to produce educational campaigns focused on cancer prevention, awareness, and best practices. He also contributed to the FCSN White Paper, “Doing It Right: Reducing Cancer in the Fire Service,” which offers actionable strategies for minimizing cancer risks in the line of duty.
In addition to his work with FCSN, Scott co-chairs the FRANTIC (Firefighter Research Against Nicotine and Tobacco Use in California Firefighters) committee, addressing the impact of tobacco and nicotine use in the fire service. With over 35 years of experience in the fire service, Scott recently retired as a Fire Captain/Paramedic with the Laguna Beach Fire Department. He has presented on occupational cancer prevention at national conferences and continues to advocate for healthier practices across the country.
Scott Jennie serves as the California State Director and National Training Program Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting firefighters, EMS workers, and their families facing cancer diagnoses. In his role, Scott leads efforts in providing critical resources, mentorship, and advocacy for those affected by occupational cancer in the fire service.
Scott chairs the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month committee for FCSN, where he collaborates with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) to produce educational campaigns focused on cancer prevention, awareness, and best practices. He also contributed to the FCSN White Paper, “Doing It Right: Reducing Cancer in the Fire Service”, which offers actionable strategies for minimizing cancer risks in the line of duty.
In addition to his work with FCSN, Scott co-chairs the FRANTIC (Firefighter Research Against Nicotine and Tobacco Use in California Firefighters) committee, addressing the impact of tobacco and nicotine use in the fire service. With over 35 years of experience in the fire service, Scott recently retired as a Fire Captain/Paramedic with the Laguna Beach Fire Department. He has presented on occupational cancer prevention at national conferences and continues to advocate for healthier practices across the country.
Patrick McDonald has worked for the Vista Fire Department since 2013. In 2019, he was promoted to engineer. Patrick and Andy were good friends and colleagues at Vista Fire for many years.
Michael has worked for the Carlsbad Fire Department for 15 years and currently working as an Engineer. Michael and Andy met while at Paramedic School and remained good friends for many years.
We are proudly partnered with Firefighter Cancer Support Network, American Academy of Dermatology, California Dermatology Advocacy Network, and the California Firefighters Skin Cancer Coalition to bring skin cancer screenings to fire stations.
The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Andy’s widow, Caylie Valenta, and fellow Vista firefighter Mark Gaffney in 2022.
The Foundation is currently working to form partnerships within the community, with businesses, and with medical professionals to raise funds and strengthen our mission to increase awareness, educate firefighters, and provide skin cancer screenings to fire departments.
If you would like to help support the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation please contact us or donate today.
The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Andy’s widow, Caylie Valenta, and fellow Vista firefighter Mark Gaffney in 2022.