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Sam Ingalls is the Director of the Mayor’s Youth Council at Oasis Center in Nashville. In this leadership role, Sam brings his extensive background in education and youth advocacy to support high school students across the community. The Council he oversees empowers young people to serve as civic liaisons, amplifying youth voice within local government and community decision-making.

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Prior to serving as Director, Sam taught for two years in a low-income community and was an advisor for a Youth in Government program. These experiences gave him a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by young people—both inside the classroom and in the civic sphere. Under his direction, the Mayor’s Youth Council has engaged dozens of students from across Nashville, working in schools and civic spaces to contribute to more than a thousand hours of community service. 

Sam is dedicated to giving youth meaningful opportunities to lead, influence public policy, and shape their community’s future. His work bridges education, advocacy, and civic engagement—ensuring that young people are not just heard, but also empowered to make change.

Ben Ho Park serves as Director of the Vanderbilt‑Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) and is the Benjamin F. Byrd, Jr. Chair in Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. 

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Dr. Park earned his undergraduate degree from University of Chicago and completed both his MD and PhD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He then completed residency and fellowship training in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology, followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship in cancer genetics at Johns Hopkins University. 

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Dr. Park’s research focuses on identifying and validating genetic targets for breast cancer therapy and diagnostics, with notable work in “liquid biopsies” (using plasma tumor cell-free DNA) and studying hormone therapy resistance. He has also worked broadly in precision oncology, translating laboratory discoveries into clinical interventions and guiding molecular tumor boards to improve individualized patient care. 

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As leader of a major cancer center, Dr. Park oversees programs that bring together basic science, translational research, clinical care, and community outreach—ensuring that the latest discoveries are turned into real-world treatments and support for patients. 

Laura Eicher serves as Senior Event Support Manager and Staff Partner to the Gold Together National Ambassadors at the American Cancer Society (ACS). As part of the Gold Together initiative—an ACS-effort dedicated to childhood cancer awareness, advocacy, and fundraising—Laura plays a key role in event strategy, volunteer engagement, and program expansion across the country.

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Her journey into this work is deeply personal: in 2014, her son fearlessly battled brain cancer, and it was through that experience and a dedication to creating better outcomes for families facing childhood cancer that she helped expand the Gold Together initiative nationally in 2018. 

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In her role, Laura manages a diverse portfolio of events, from coordinating logistics to mentoring volunteer leaders, all while building meaningful relationships with survivors, caregivers, sponsors, and youth. She has brought a vision of hope and systematic change—ensuring that every dollar raised supports research, advocacy, and vital support services for children and families confronting pediatric cancer. 

Todd Drummond is the founder and CEO of Defend Our Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing school safety through innovative solutions. A New York native, Todd began his career as a machine technician and later transitioned into the aerospace composites research and development industry. 

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After a long career in R&D, Todd served as a law-enforcement officer and School Resource Officer, gaining first-hand experience in school security. In 2018, following the tragic school shooting in Florida, he developed a unique classroom protection system known as the “Safe Space Security Desk”—a ballistic-rated desk designed to provide immediate shelter for students during an active-shooter event. 

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Under his leadership, Defend Our Children has partnered with schools and communities across the U.S. to implement these desks as part of a layered strategy to protect students and enhance existing protocols. Todd’s work exemplifies a commitment to turning technical expertise into meaningful protection for children in learning environments.