Who We Are
Caylie is the widow of Andy Valenta. She went from a happy fire wife, with an amazing husband and 2 beautiful little girls, to a widow and solo parent in the blink of an eye. Their world was shattered with his loss, and will never be the same again. Caylie has been working on rebuilding her life, and raising her 2 young daughters, Lily and Grace.
Caylie saw the lack of cancer screening happening throughout many 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 SoCal, that work tirelessly to protect and care for the residents.
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 over 11 years, currently working in Cardiology. She is passionate about improving people’s health, in the clinic and at the fire stations.
In her spare time… Ha, what spare time?! Her kids take up all that time!
Mark is an engineer for the Vista Fire Department and worked closely with Andy for many years. He is co-founder of AVMF.
A Kindness Driven Association Executive, has spent the last decade of her career driving the strategy behind associations she has served.
While serving as the Executive Director of California Society of Dermatology, Sheila led the statewide launch of the Spot Skin Cancer program in California. That led to a happenstance meeting with Caylie Valenta, founder of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation. A partnership was born on the spot!
Appreciating challenges, Sheila’s teammates find her “WILL DO” attitude exists both professionally and personally.
In her spare time, you’ll find Sheila traveling lesser travelled roads with her husband, and her beagle Duke! On any given day, Sheila will reach out to those that cross her mind – an old friend, new friend, family member, or even text the pet parent of a friend of Duke’s. Sheila loves reminding others that they matter and that she cares.
Sheila holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Sacramento State University. She served as a Leon Panetta Fellow, Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow, and is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Management program. She has worked in the California State Legislature, various statewide budget offices and in the House of Representatives. Her executive experience in associations include California Lawyers Association, California Lawyers Foundation, California Society for Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, NAIOP Silicon Valley, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, the California Pharmacists Association and the Association of California Healthcare Districts.
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.
The Foundation is continuously building 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 partner with us, or help support the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation please contact us or donate today.
