About Us

Mission Statement:

Are You Dense, Inc. is dedicated to informing the public about dense breast tissue and its significance for the early detection of breast cancer.

President

Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D. is founder of Are You Dense, Inc. which was borne out of her own tragedy of an advanced stage breast cancer diagnosis in 2004. Her cancer, because of dense breast tissue, was not found by mammogram even though she had yearly "normal" mammograms since she was 40. In addition to her breast cancer advocacy, Dr. Cappello spent 34 years in public education as a teacher, an administrator and a state department consultant and manager. She received her doctor of philosophy in Educational Administration and Leadership in 1995 from the University of Connecticut.

Vice-President

Ramona Harrison, MBA, has worked in the field of Human Resources/Organization Development for 15 years. She has a unique background and education in Engineering, Quality and Business including experience in global multinationals (GE and Ingersoll Rand), and small high growth public and private firms. She has start-up experience in high tech and manufacturing and is a change leader who has delivered creative solutions that align people and business strategy. She has a passion for International HR Management, Organization Development, Acquisitions and Divestitures, Talent Acquisition and Retention, Training and Development and Compensation and Benefits Design. Ramona became interested in participating on the Board of Directors after a long history with Nancy and Joe Cappello through her parents. Ramona and Nancy built their own personal relationship over the past 5 years through regular biking challenges increasing their total mileage each season and discussing opportunities to grow Are You Dense!

Secretary

Susan Christian is a wife and mother of two children. She worked in the Aerospace and Defense Industry as a Senior Purchasing Agent for over 15 years. Through Nancy and Joe Cappello, Susan began volunteering for the Are You Dense Inc. MusicFest Benefit. She instantly had a passion for the organization because of its Mission for the right of women to know their breast density and its goal of offering support and education needed in the fight against later stage cancer due to dense breast tissue. Susan is proud to be part of an organization that means so much to so many.

Treasurer

Charlene M. German, B.S. in Computer Technology & M.S. in Management Engineering. She currently works as a Software Integrator/Software Quality Engineer for a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer. She has worked in the semiconductor industry for more than 18 years and it was at a previous semiconductor company where she met Ramona Harrison. Through Ramona, Charlene met Dr. Nancy Cappello and learned about the risks of dense breast tissue. Charlene’s mother and grandmother had breast tumors, one benign and one in-situ. As a precaution, her grandmother went through several radiation treatments. Charlene believes the key ingredients to good health are education and awareness.

Directors

Donna Marie Johnson, BA in History, is the Community Relations Liaison for Diagnostic Radiology Associates, a private radiology practice located in Waterbury and Middlebury Connecticut. Donna has been with DRA for 13 years helping to spread the word about the importance of mammography and preventative breast health. She has worked on many fund raisers for organizations such as Waterbury Hospital, Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, Relay for Life and other health related organizations. Donna believes that women need to be informed and empowered about their own health and has joined the Board of Are You Dense Inc. to help spread the word about breast density to women across the country. She lives in Woodbury with her husband Jim and their two daughters.

Susan A. Katz is a poet, author, language arts consultant, and business owner/jewelry designer for her company, EarthWhorls, LLC. She designed the "Exposing the Secret" pendant and earrings for Are You Dense, Inc. Susan also owns a distributorship for the whole food supplement, Juice Plus+. Susan’s dedication to furthering the cause of dense breast tissue and Are You Dense, Inc.comes from her family experience, having lost both grandmothers and her mother to breast cancer. She believes that, "what women don’t know, can kill them" and wants to be a contributing part of the efforts of Are You Dense, Inc.to make sure every woman knows!

Kathleen A. McPadden, MSOB, has worked in the field of Human Resources/Organization Development for 25 years in the banking field.  She resides in Naugatuck with her husband Jim.  Along with her affiliation with Are You Dense, Kathy has been an advocate for cancer research since her niece experienced cancer at age three.  She has participated in the Relay For Life of Greater Waterbury for many years, is involved various organizations including Jane Doe No More, Wellmore Behavioral Health, the YMCA of Naugatuck and the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, Inc.  Kathy’s experience with breast cancer has been through the pain and suffering of loved ones and co-workers who have battled the disease.  Kathy first learned of Are You Dense? when she attended the Are You Dense Music Festival in 2010 and she has been passionate about the mission of the organization ever since.