Ovarian Cancer...
THE SILENT KILLER
"Everyone Deserves Early Detection"
Shaunaqua Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for early ovarian cancer diagnostics through annual fundraising events. Our platform includes a donation page, educational resources, research links, and testimonials, all updated monthly. Join us and support our mission to fight ovarian cancer.
Founder and acting President
Chief Kreative Officer
Merrill Watts
Merrill is a dedicated advocate for ovarian cancer research and support, driven by a personal mission that began after the passing of his wife, Shauna, in 2018. Despite an initial prognosis of just six months, Shauna bravely fought the disease for three years, inspiring Merrill to commit himself to funding research and resources to combat this devastating illness.
With a strong background in business and education, Merrill founded and led an international freight forwarding company for 27 years. He also served as director of the Clackamas Community College Small Business Development Center and taught as a professor for five years. Additionally, he was Chair of the Undergraduate Business and Leadership Program at Marylhurst University for seven years.
Outside of his professional achievements, Merrill cherishes his role as a father to three daughters and a grandfather to nine grandchildren. He is also a passionate saxophonist, performing professionally, and enjoys outdoor pursuits such as biking, birding, walking, and hiking.
Merrill holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Economics from Brigham Young University.
Treasurer
Duane Bolinger
Duane Bolinger has a deep passion for encouraging, educating, and empowering the next generation to lead with confidence and purpose. A lifelong advocate for personal growth and community involvement, Duane believes that every young person deserves access to guidance, resources, and opportunities that help them recognize their potential and step into leadership roles.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematics from Portland State University, holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, and is the founder of Eldon Reese Advisory Group, a financial advisory firm located in Beaverton, Oregon.
Duane’s decision to join the board stems from his belief that the right support at the right time can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. He is honored to contribute to an organization focused on equipping youth with the tools they need to thrive—both personally and within their communities.
He and his wife, Wendy, enjoy traveling to spend time with their five children and growing number of grandchildren. Outside of his volunteer work, Duane enjoys serving in his church, hiking, playing golf, and designing new landscape projects.
Board Member
Juston Gaddis
Juston Gaddis is story teller -- an accomplished producer, director, writer, editor, videographer and photographer of feature films, podcasts, advertising materials and music videos. His credits include international awards for his production of a hip-hop video called 3rd Twin Honesty https://youtu.be/cw0HG-gevcg?si=_rGzbZawGby33v9Z that was the first place winner of best hip-hop video of the year in Columbia MO, New York, Los Angeles, London and Nigeria in 2018.
He is also an accomplished painter. His company Owner of GMP Podcast Group in Portland, Oregon has flourished over the past six years and continues to attract top-tier clients.
He graduated from Sacramento State College where he was the starting half-back on the football team. He is the proud father of four children and loves his beautiful white Volvo SVU. He is a founding director of the Shaunaqua Foundation board.
Corporate Secretary
Kate Godby
Retired from Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a 40 year IT corporate career. Her passion for wellness, recovery, and mindful financial fitness fuels her mission to help others achieve their dreams with compassion and connection.
Kate is a Certified Project Manager, Personal Financial Coach, and Hatha Yoga Teacher with decades of leadership experience in IT transformation. She is passionate about empowering others and founded an endowment for the Girl Scout Counsel of Colonial Coast that supports the “She Believes She Can, So She Does” scholarship, helping inspire future generations of young women.
Kate holds an Executive MBA from The College of William and Mary and a BBA from Averett University.
Kate lives in Arizona sharing life with two grown children, a beautiful daughter-in-law, toddler granddaughter, and grandson on the way.
Board Member
Michael Walsh
Michael Walsh spent his corporate career at the intersection of finance and medical science, helping to fund early-stage biotechnology firms and investing on behalf of institutional and private investors in the biomedical technology sector. He is now focused on utilizing his skills and energy to help build nonprofit organizations that can have a significant impact on people’s lives worldwide.
In 1994, Michael founded Kilkenny Capital Management (KCM) with Bessemer Venture Partners. Over the next twenty years, KCM raised nearly $500 million to invest in publicly traded medical technology companies using an innovative probability-based investment strategy. Before becoming an investment manager, he was a Senior Biotechnology Research Analyst with Robertson, Stephens & Company, where he was instrumental in raising capital for emerging biotechnology companies. Other professional roles in his career have included Angel Investing in the Chicago start-up community through HBS Angels and helping to found a specialized medical marijuana dispensary.
Michael has also been actively involved in numerous non-profit organizations during his career, focusing on the intersection of the education and public health fields. He is currently the Board Treasurer of both ParenTeach Institute, which develops integrated parenting education curricula, and Fortify Foods, which advocates for alleviating iron deficiency anemia in Africa through nutrition supplementation strategies. Previously, he served as President of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago, Board Treasurer of the Chicago Center for Music Education, member of the Health Policy and Management Executive Council at the Harvard School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Grants Committee for Friends of Prentice Hospital.
Michael received his bachelor’s degree cum laude in Biochemistry from Harvard College and his MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Elizabeth, where they raised their two wonderful twenty-something-aged children.
Board Member
Belma Ljutic
Dr. Belma Ljutic is a distinguished immunologist with extensive experience in both academic and industrial area. Dr. Belma Ljutic earned her Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Toronto, where she conducted groundbreaking research on natural killer (NK) cell biology. Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her subsequent contributions to the field of immunology, particularly in the development of vaccines. She currently holds a position at Sanofi in Toronto, where she is the Head of the Quality Control Laboratory for the vaccines.
Dr. Ljutic’s research has significantly advanced our understanding of natural killer (NK) cell biology and the development of vaccines against pneumococcal infections. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and she has been involved in several patent applications related to immunogenic compositions of vaccines.
Board Member
Elsadet Asic
Elsadet Asic is a highly accomplished footwear sourcing, design, and product development leader with over 30 years of experience across footwear engineering, design, global sourcing, and vendor management. He is a graduate of Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. Throughout his career, he has consistently optimized sourcing operations while driving cost efficiencies, margin growth, and high-quality product execution.
Elsadet has personally designed, engineered, developed, and commercialized a wide range of footwear categories, including basketball, baseball, football, golf, running, hiking, and skate shoes, as well as sandals, slippers, indoor and outdoor footwear, dress and brown shoes, and high-fashion boots. His hands-on experience in pattern engineering, last development, and prototype construction allows him to translate design intent into scalable, production-ready footwear without compromising performance, aesthetics, or cost targets.
He has successfully sourced and managed production across China, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, and Europe, negotiating factory-direct agreements and building long-term strategic vendor partnerships. Several shoes he has designed and developed have been featured in leading fashion and sportswear magazines, recognized as seasonal trendsetters and highlighting his ability to merge technical excellence with market-driven design.
In addition to design and development leadership, Elsadet has driven impactful sourcing strategies, including increasing gross margins by up to 30% through improved costing models and vendor consolidation, and reducing production lead times to as little as 60 days through optimized development calendars and capacity planning. He also brings strong expertise in logistics coordination and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, ensuring compliant and cost-effective global supply chains.
A collaborative, results-driven leader, Elsadet thrives in fast-paced environments and is passionate about building high-performing sourcing and development organizations grounded in accountability, teamwork, and innovation.
Board Member
Eddie Byrd
Eddie Byrd is the Executive Director of the Coalition of Black Men (COBM). Eddie is dedicated to advancing mentorship, health and wellness, and economic development for Black men and boys across Oregon.
His leadership centers on empowerment, collaboration, and building strong community networks that uplift the next generation. With over a decade of experience in youth engagement, media production, and organizational leadership, Eddie brings a creative and strategic approach to community development. Before becoming Executive Director, Eddie B. served as a Professional Mentor with COBM, supporting students through personalized case management, family engagement, and culturally responsive programming that fosters academic and personal growth.
Eddie B. is also the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of Oregon Hidden Legacy — an oral history podcast dedicated to preserving and amplifying the stories of Oregon’s Black elders and pioneers. Through storytelling and media, Eddie and his Co-Creator strive to keep Black history visible, Black culture celebrated, and Black voices heard.
In addition to his executive role, he proudly serves on the board of Historic Parkrose, where he advocates for economic vitality, youth opportunity, and community preservation.
Driven by purpose, grounded in service, and inspired by legacy — Eddie’s mission is to connect people, programs, and partnerships that create lasting impact.