Linda Harvey, CEO
Linda was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001. Professionally, Linda has a background in public relations and non-profit management. She's currently an instructor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!), and is also pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology (with emphases in gender, health and communication), also from KSU. Most of Linda's current research is related to how PCOS has been conveyed in the mass media. She received her Master's degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska in 2002, and has a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Kansas State University, completed in 1996.
In 2004, Linda published the inaugural online issue of PCOS Today Magazine. The online publication is slated as providing the most unique perspectives about PCOS for women fighting the syndrome. Recently (late 2006), Linda was invited to interview Dr. Andrea Dunaif (and her staff) of Northwestern Unviversity's PCOS Study Group. Dr. Dunaif is the medical professional who discovered insulin resistance in the 1980s.
Personally, Linda lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with an evil hamster, a lethargic bearded dragon lizard, and pines away for her boyfriend, Josh, who is pursuing his Ph.D. in economics (with emphases in labor and political economy) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. When she's not grading papers, advising students, or helping propel both Project PCOS and PCOS Today Magazine forward, she's in front of the sewing machine.
Ashley Tabeling, COO, Founder
Ashley Tabeling has worked diligently with the PCOS Community over the past six years, starting in 2000's The PCOS Chat moderator on About. Com's Infertility Boards. Shortly after she created PCOS Pals, a now sprawling Yahoo community with over 1450 members! Mrs. Tabeling volutneered with PCOSA from 2000-2004 and serves as an Advisory Board Member to PCOStrategies
Mrs. Tabeling continues to advocate for better treatment and awareness for PCOS with the creation of an online PCOS Awareness Petition with close to 5,000 signatures and making appearances to raise PCOS awareness including; Discovery Health Channel, TLC, The 10! on WCAU Philadelphia, Gloucester County Times, Woman’s World Magazine and PCOS Today Magazine.
In November of 2006, realizing there was a need for a comprehensive and cohesive online resource for and about PCOS, Ashley founded Project PCOS and began development with a team of PCOS Community Advocates to build the foundation for this new endeavour.
Mrs. Tabeling currently works as The PCOS Coordinator for The Drexel Center for Women's Health in Philadelphia, developing educational programs and lectures for patients with PCOS.
Tarra Heartl, Director, Online Communities
Diagnosed in 1996, at the age of 22, Tarra suffered from PCOS for many years before that. “It was like fighting a ghost and always trying to convince others that there was something wrong,” she said. Tarra has had a long history of volunteer service to the PCOS community. In 2001 she had the excitement of being featured in a Newsweek article about PCOS called, "It's Not My Fault". She is a founding member of the PCOSLiving, blogs about her life with PCOS on several sites and this past year Tarra was in Figure magazine, The War Cry, and her local newspaper.
Tarra works with other organizations as well, including iPump Inc, Islets of Hope, Patriot Guard Riders, and North Dakota Patriot Guard. “I am thrilled to be a part of Project PCOS,” Tarra states. “Volunteering in the PCOS world is really my heart’s work.”
She and her husband consider themselves very blessed to have six healthy children (2 clomid, 3 glucophage, 1 natural while following "The New Dawn" program) after suffering from miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and a premature baby. They live a peaceful life on a ranch in North Dakota where they homeschool their children and enjoy horses, pets, fresh air, and wide open spaces.
Tammy Dolak, Director, Lifestyle Management
Tammy is the Director of Lifestyle Management with Project PCOS. She and her husband Gregg have been self employed business owners with Farmers Insurance of Arizona for the past 10 years. Tammy is very involved in the Arizona Community including support for the troops, various different children's organizations and support for families of missing children. Born and raised in Colorado, Tammy moved to Arizona in 1997 and resides there with her husband and two beautiful stepdaughters.
Tammy was diagnosed officially with PCOS in 2006, but was another long time sufferer of the symptoms of PCOS that began in her teenage years. When Tammy was first diagnosed with PCOS and was searching for answers, she began to see that there seemed to be a lack of support and assistance for ladies with PCOS. She knew then that she wanted to get more involved within the PCOS community. Tammy feels very blessed to have such a supportive husband and circle of family and friends and is devoted fully to Project PCOS in hopes that she can now help others in their search for answers regarding PCOS, Support for PCOS and PCOS awareness.
You can reach Tammy by emailing her at: tdolak@projectpcos.org
Sonnet Fitzgerald, Research Coordinator
Sonnet's passion in life is educating physicians and healthcare workers about PCOS, and empowering other women to do the same. First diagnosed with a vague insulin disorder as a baby, she was finally diagnosed with PCOS in 1999 at the age of 23. At that time in her area, not a single one of the numerous doctors she went to had even heard of PCOS... although some were aware of the 'very rare' disease Stein-Leventhal. Desperate for proper treatment to alleviate her symptoms, Sonnet began devouring research just coming out about PCOS and actively educating her doctors in order to get the help she needed. From there it just kind of spiralled out of control!
Sonnet has served in PCOS support communities from 1999 through 2003, when she took a hiatus to focus on motherhood. She was the PCOS Association's volunteer of the year in 2001. She has served as President of her local support chapter; managed PCOS discussion boards both through the PCOS Association and OBGYN.net; and filled the roles of Information and Support Specialist and Online Community Liaison at the PCOSA. Along with Tarra Hartl, she was featured in a 2001 Newsweek article on PCOS. She has been involved with PCOS research both through communication with the researchers and by being a subject herself. She is very excited to be involved with Project PCOS and hopefully improve the quality of life for women struggling with PCOS.
Sonnet and her husband are survivors of infertility struggles. After 6 years, 5 miscarriages, and one failed adoption they are the proud parents of two young daughters. Her husband is an Australian citizen and they spend time there when they can. Currently they are living stateside in Minneapolis. She collects 'fat art,' and loves to work in the garden growing her own flowers, fruits, vegetables and teas.
Sonnet can be reached at sfitzgerald@projectpcos.org
Branden Simbeck, Director, Information Technology
Branden is the Director of Information Technology for Project PCOS. Having been involved in the community since the spring of 2003 when his, now wife, Kaylea, was diagnosed with PCOS, Branden took a small respite to develop his personal business and professional skills, and to try to start a family. In the fall of 2006, they were blessed with the birth of their first baby, a boy, allowing Branden to return to the community.
Branden got involved in the PCOS community because of, what he saw, was a lack of cohesive information available for both patients and medical practitioners.
Branden has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, from California University of PA, and a Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems, from the University of Phoenix. He has worked in web development and server administration since his college days, and is currently a software developer for a medical software company.
Branden not only services the PCOS community, but also tends to the needs of his local community as a Pennsylvania certified Emergency Medical Technician, EMT-Instructor and a Training Center Faculty Member, for the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System’s, American Heart Association Training Center, where he teaches people to become CPR Instructors, and teaches the community to perform CPR and First Aid. He has also worked and volunteered for his local ambulance service, as well as a suburban Pittsburgh hospital’s emergency department.
If you would like to follow Branden’s family, check out his website at www.branden-kaylea.net.
You can reach Branden by e-mailing him at bsimbeck@projectpcos.org.
