Speakers Bureau

Lisa Anderson is a “mother on a mission” determined to help others avoid a long and excruciating journey toward a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma diagnosis. After seeking answers for nearly 5 years that would explain her college-aged son’s debilitating symptoms (headaches, blood pressure swings, irregular heartrate, sweating, nausea, vomiting and extreme panic/anxiety), a suspicion of a pheochromocytoma tumor was finally discovered through incidental testing by a gastroenterologist who ordered an ultrasound to investigate a potential gallbladder issue. The time from diagnosis to tumor removal surgery became a whirlwind of searching PubMed articles about pheo, coordinating with the surgical team, cross-checking every well-intended medication, and caring for her precariously sick son who required 24-hour hospital care until the surgery date.

After learning a blood and/or urine test to check metanephrine levels when the symptoms first appeared could have signaled this adrenal tumor, Lisa has made it her mission to look for ways to raise awareness about this disease with health care providers. She has found a place with Pheo Para Alliance (PPA) to channel her energies. Throughout her more than 30-year career at the Fred Hutchingson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA, Lisa has had the opportunity to cultivate relationships with physicians, scientists, residents, fellows, administrators, and volunteers with whom she worked collaboratively to support cancer research with special emphasis on patient needs. She hopes to use her experience in health care administration and knowledge of health care systems to access an array of medical professionals and organizations to remind them to “think about pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma” so that others will not have to endure an unnecessary and potentially dangerous delay in diagnosis.

Lisa holds a BA in Spanish from the University of Washington, and a Masters in Teaching from Western Governor’s University. When she’s not happily volunteering with the PPA, she loves substitute teaching at the local elementary school, road trips, and playing golf with her husband and two sons.

Michael L. Campbell is the Chief Operating Officer of the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, CT.  Mark Twain wrote most of his well-known works from this house and spent more years there than he did in any other place.  Michael helps to keep the legacy of Mark Twain and his family alive by assisting 80 employees.  He has served the nonprofit community in the Greater Hartford area for nearly 40 years.  He was the Executive Director of SummerWind Performing Arts Center in Windsor, CT and was Chief of Staff for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut.  He also served as National Development Director for the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in Arlington, VA, responsible for all advancement efforts nationwide for this youth development organization.   One of Michael’s favorite roles was Executive Director of the Hartford Children’s Theatre.  His duties there included development, finance, operations and the management of all programs that led the organization to receive the New England Theatre Conference’s award for best youth theatre production in New England.  Michael was a fixture at the Producing Guild, a premier non-equity theatre for over 15 years as Business Manager, Production Manager, Actor, Singer and Production Assistant.  He has served on many local, national, and international boards with experience in all areas of nonprofit governance and management.

Michael was diagnosed with a pheochromocytoma in the summer of 2021 and spent over a month in the hospital at the University of Connecticut Health Center.  His surgery was successful and he vowed to give back to community.  Michael has traveled to over 50 countries, is a former mountaineer and has served in uniform as a Lieutenant Commander acting as a mentor for the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps.  With his wife Rie and their three cats Shiraz, Zambezi and Colaba he lives in Canton, CT.