Exec. Director & Co-Founder

Marissa McKinnies

Community Impact Committee (Austin)

Marissa McKinnies is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University with a B.B.S. degree in Psychology and is is currently in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Public Health Administration at Capella University. A former employee University Health System’s Funded Programs department, she assisted many women within low income communities to obtain free mammograms and/or assistance with treatment if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Marissa encourages, motivates, and educates anyone she meets to be proactive in their annual health screenings. As the Founder/CEO of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation, she continues to advocate for the necessity of maintaining preventative health appointments such as mammogram screenings, annual well women’s & well men’s visits, healthy clean eating,  colonoscopies, dental checks and a sundry of other health check-ups.  She truly believes that “knowledge is power” in regards to your health.

Marissa watched Cancer wreak havoc on the lives of many since her childhood. Her paternal grandmother would succumb to ovarian cancer at the vibrant age of 57. She then had other family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers battle many different forms of cancer.  But she became more acutely aware of the severity of cancer once her sister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer, at the tender age of 30. At the age of 33 her sister battled her first round of Colon and diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer at the age of 37.

Being a woman of research, Marissa began to seek information on all things cancer. She sought out cancer resources such as programs that would help cancer patients and their families care for their medical, financial, and emotional needs related to the disease.  She quickly learned that the battle isn’t just a physical battle for the patient, but also an emotional battle for the families. To show her support, in May 2015 she decided to raise funds to help meet a financial need Cancer Warriors endure by hosting “Putt Away Cancer” banquet. She then hosted the first “Putt Away Cancer” miniature Golf event in September 2016. What was once only an event, was actually the beginning of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation; birthed in December 2016.

Putt Away Cancer started off as an event but has since turned into a movement. Ms. McKinnies states, “Cancer is an unfortunate link that binds us together. We all know someone that has been affected by this horrible disease, if we ourselves were not.  Cancer does not discriminate nor does it have a respect of geographical location. Therefore, The Putt Away Cancer Foundation is designed to take a united stand against cancer and make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, especially for my sister.”

Co-Founder

Leilani Davis

Board Chairperson
Marketing Committee

Leilani Davis, also known as “The Face” of the Foundation is the inspiration behind our existence. She a wife of 20 years to her husband Edmond Davis and the mother of 4 children and 3 step-children. Her Career included a lead position with USAA one of Asset Management’s Top Supervisors for many years. Leilani was at the Top of her career before she was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 2009 and has since battled with colon and cervical cancer as well.

Leilani is the Chairperson of the Board and Co-Founder of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation. She and her sister, Marissa McKinnies, have decided to take a united stand against the emotional and spiritual war Cancer Wages on a person suffering this disease. It is her battle that inspires others to continue their fight. She has been diagnosed as Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer and will continue to live our her days sharing her smile and prayers with others. If you ask her the secret behind her smile she will answer, “I have cancer but cancer does not have me. I have the power to decide how I will allow it to affect my life. And I’ve decided to let cancer give me the inspiration to be a light for others that have been diagnosed. I want to help them because I know firsthand that We need all the help we can get. So while I can, I will give of my time, energy, and prayers to help make a difference for other cancer warriors.”

Leilani’s story

Chairperson of the Board

Adrienne Vega

Executive Board

Adrienne brings a decade of nonprofit and fundraising experience to the Putt Away Cancer Board of Directors. Adrienne is the daughter of a two time Cancer Survivor. Adrienne spends her day securing the futures of families and small business owners as a financial advisor for New York Life. She is a native of North Carolina and the proud mother of two brilliant children.

Exec. Director & Co-Founder

Marissa McKinnies

Community Impact Committee (Austin)

Marissa McKinnies is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University with a B.B.S. degree in Psychology and is is currently in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Public Health Administration at Capella University. A former employee University Health System’s Funded Programs department, she assisted many women within low income communities to obtain free mammograms and/or assistance with treatment if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Marissa encourages, motivates, and educates anyone she meets to be proactive in their annual health screenings. As the Founder/CEO of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation, she continues to advocate for the necessity of maintaining preventative health appointments such as mammogram screenings, annual well women’s & well men’s visits, healthy clean eating,  colonoscopies, dental checks and a sundry of other health check-ups.  She truly believes that “knowledge is power” in regards to your health.

Marissa watched Cancer wreak havoc on the lives of many since her childhood. Her paternal grandmother would succumb to ovarian cancer at the vibrant age of 57. She then had other family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers battle many different forms of cancer.  But she became more acutely aware of the severity of cancer once her sister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer, at the tender age of 30. At the age of 33 her sister battled her first round of Colon and diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer at the age of 37.

Being a woman of research, Marissa began to seek information on all things cancer. She sought out cancer resources such as programs that would help cancer patients and their families care for their medical, financial, and emotional needs related to the disease.  She quickly learned that the battle isn’t just a physical battle for the patient, but also an emotional battle for the families. To show her support, in May 2015 she decided to raise funds to help meet a financial need Cancer Warriors endure by hosting “Putt Away Cancer” banquet. She then hosted the first “Putt Away Cancer” miniature Golf event in September 2016. What was once only an event, was actually the beginning of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation; birthed in December 2016.

Putt Away Cancer started off as an event but has since turned into a movement. Ms. McKinnies states, “Cancer is an unfortunate link that binds us together. We all know someone that has been affected by this horrible disease, if we ourselves were not.  Cancer does not discriminate nor does it have a respect of geographical location. Therefore, The Putt Away Cancer Foundation is designed to take a united stand against cancer and make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, especially for my sister.”

Secretary

LaTheasa Stevens

Executive Board

LaTheasa Stevens is a wife and proud mother of three. She is the inventor, founder, and designer of Vestine Motif for Uniquely Jeweled Bookmarks. She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DeVry University and is currently pursuing her Masters and CPA certification.
Her heart and passion is for God, her family and friends. LaTheasa has been part of the mission of Putt Away Cancer when it was merely an event and not a business. She has been a life-long family friend of The Founder and Co-Founder of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation and currently serves on the Budget and Finance committee.

Treasurer

Quinika Qualls

Executive Board

Quinika Qualls is member of the Putt Away Cancer Foundation and serving on the fundraising committee. She has earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in Computer Information Systems at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri and the second in Sign Language Interpreting at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.

Quinika and her husband Joseph are active members of Shoreline Church where she volunteers weekly as a Sign Language interpreter for the services. Cancer has affected the life of her best friend and other family members which in turn has motivated Quinika to take a supportive and active role in The Putt Away Cancer Foundation today.

Board Member

Ella McKinnies

Executive Board

Ella McKinnies is the Chief Operating Officer of The Putt Away Cancer Foundation and also serves on the Fundraising Committee.  She obtained a Bachelors of Human Resource Management at _Park University in Parkville, Missouri and is a Retired Military Veteran after serving 22 years.  Currently,  She has spent over 19 years with SRC, Inc., as a Research Analyst.  She is a mother of 3, has 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Ella is a passionate servant of Christ.
She’s devoted countless hours in her community to organizations such as to Haven for Hope, Fischer House, her church- Place for Life, Roadrunners Track Club and a sundry other organizations.  She has watched cancer wreak havoc on the life of her daughter and Co-Founder Leilani Davis. Now, she is on a mission to make a difference in the Cancer community and continue to INSPIRE HOPE to all she meets.

Board Member

Annette Godfrey

Marketing Committee

Community Impact Committee (San Antonio)

Annette Godfrey, the owner of Locket Up With Charms and CTC Unlimited, was born in Brooklyn, NY and now a permanent resident in Converse, TX. She’s a wife and proud parent of 3 children, 2 step-children, and 10 grandchildren. Annette attended Brooklyn College before going to serve in the United States Army for 8 years. She is also a Certified Travel Agent and also enjoys spending time as volunteering with several organizations that help empower women and teenage girls.

Ms. Godfrey believes the mission of Putt Away Cancer (PAC) and the sincerity of the founders are inspiring . She believes that within the next 5 years Putt Away Cancer will be known all over the world as one of the most genuine and sincere organizations. Known for giving back and helping out families that are dealing with this awful thing called cancer. “There will be Putt Away Cancer Miniature Golf and Full Golf tournaments, a Putt Away Cancer fundraising Gala, and Circle of Hope Scholarship recipients all over the nation.”