MRF Staff

Timothy (Tim) Turnham, Ph.D.
Executive Director
tturnham@melanoma.org

Tim Turnham became the Executive Director of the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) in January 2009. Tim shares the MRF’s commitment to supporting medical research to find more effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma and brings with him more than 30 years of experience in management, fundraising, communication, teaching and research.

Prior to joining the MRF, Tim served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Colon Cancer Alliance, as well as the Director of Development for the United Cerebral Palsy Associations.  He has also served as the Director of Development for the Whitman-Walker Clinic followed by a position at the Children’s Research Institute as the Director of Development.

Tim holds a B.A. in Microbiology from the University of Tennessee, a M. Div. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Tim lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Phyllis. They have three adult children.

Carolyn N. Edrington
National Director, Miles for Melanoma
cedrington@melanoma.org

As the National Director for Miles for Melanoma, Carolyn helps direct our volunteer fundraising efforts. With the TEAM4M marathon and half marathon training program she recruits runners and manages the logistics, administration and fundraising efforts for runners who raise funds for the MRF. She also consults for the Miles for Melanoma fundraisers, assisting them with their needs as they participate in events all over the country while raising awareness and funds for the melanoma research.

Carolyn has a strong background in event planning, fundraising, and running. A four-time marathoner, she brings a passion and experience to the combination of running and raising money for a good cause. Her previous experience has been in non-profit development for HIV/AIDS and women’s issues.

She lives in Nashville, TN where she tries to grow things in her garden before her cats, Fred, George and Roxy can dig them up.

Joanne Joseph
Executive Liaison
jjoseph@melanoma.org

As the Senior Administrative Assistant, Joanne Joseph supports the overall operations of the foundation, as well as to the MRF’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining the MRF, Joanne worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years and gained experience in the areas of human resources, research and development, finance and event/trade show planning.

Joanne holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Seton Hall University and an associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Middlesex County College. She lives in central New Jersey where she spends her free time enjoying the outdoors and volunteers for two local organizations dedicated to breast cancer and horseback riding for individuals with disabilities. Along with her MRF colleague Mary Mendoza, Joanne has the unique talent of killing houseplants very quickly.

Mary Latif
Office Manager
mlatif@melanoma.org

Mary is responsible for the administration of MRF business activities, including financial analysis, contractual agreements and facility management.  She oversees the management of MRF’s constituent database and all aspects of Human Relations.

Mary has a MA in Education and Human Development from the George Washington University and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina.  Her previous experience has been as a CFO at the Consortium for School Networking, Director of Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Development at the American Association of Community Colleges, and a Special Assistant to Senator Ernest F. Hollings (SC-retired).

In her spare time, Mary likes to bike, read, go to movies, tend to her three cats, and spend time with family and friends.     

Mary Mendoza
National Director, Volunteer Services
mmendoza@melanoma.org

As the National Director of Volunteer Services, Mary Mendoza develops, implements, and oversees the day-to-day details of the volunteer and advocacy program for the MRF, including the Melanoma Messengers, and many of its grassroots fundraising events.

Passionate about volunteerism and activism, Mary managed the volunteer program for a large, regional healthcare center before joining the MRF in 2009. She has previous work experience as a community organizer, campaign manager, and is a CDC certified trainer. After going to college for a very “useful” creative writing degree, she finally did something practical and, in 2003, received a certificate in nonprofit management from Arizona State University.

Mary’s lifelong friend, Adam, lost his battle with melanoma just weeks before she began at MRF. Along with her insight and experience, she now brings a personal sense of compassion and a desire to affect change to her work in the melanoma community.

She lives in Washington, D.C., and in her free time volunteers as a hotline counselor for a crisis rape center, and teaches creative writing to at-risk youth. She been known to buy wine based solely on the design of the label, and despite her nurturing personality, she is a notorious killer of houseplants (a trait she shares with her MRF colleague Joanne Joseph).

Shelby Moneer
Health Educator
smoneer@melanoma.org

As the Health Educator, Shelby spearheads the development, management, communication, and assessment of all service-related programs and activities.  This includes programs designed to educate and support melanoma patients and their caregivers, and also programs that increase the awareness of melanoma.  Shelby leads the educational teleconferences and nationwide patient symposia, which are focused on educating melanoma patients, family members and health care providers.  She also plays a role in writing the MRF’s website content, interacting with the online community, and is responsible for the the MRF research grant award program.

Shelby holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and a master's degree in Health Education.  Her previous experience was in the non-profit development and implementation of tobacco-related education, prevention, and treatment strategies in the Florida Panhandle.  She was a collegiate volleyball and softball player and continued playing beach volleyball for several years before moving to the DC area in 2010. 

Shelby and her husband, Steve, have two cats and a golden retriever.  They enjoy playing and watching sports, spending time outdoors and being surrounded with friends and family. 

Torrey Shallcross
Manager, Corporate Relations
tshallcross@melanoma.org

As the Corporate Relations Manager at the MRF, Torrey is responsible for increasing commercial support of MRF and its programs by creating mutually beneficial sponsorships and industry partnership opportunities.  

Torrey graduated from Sweet Briar College where she studied International Relations and Philosophy. She comes to the MRF with five years of experience in biotechnology and health policy.

In her free time, Torrey enjoys playing tennis, golfing and riding horses.