Meet the Team

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• Meet the Team

The co-founder and clinical leader of the Center for Cancer Counseling. A two-time survivor of cancer, her passion to help cancer patients and their families manage and survive cancer, along with her personal experience with cancer led her to begin this non-profit organization. In practice as a licensed clinical psychologist for over 30 years, Dr. Baumgarten earned her Ph.D. from California School of Professional Psychology.

For Fran’s Place, Mark manages marketing, media, and business expansion strategies. Mark Bregman is also a professional fine artist. He is a retired CEO of a boutique retained executive search firm, and has created and managed 4 other entrepreneurial businesses. He has extensive experience serving on boards of non-profit organizations in several fields. He holds an MA in Psychology.

Marna Brennan, the owner of a real estate company, is passionate about our cause. Her many years of business acumen in marketing has added a dimension to our vision to help bring The Center to a new level of awareness to the public. She has seen, first hand, how important the Center is to those in need of a helping hand to those with cancer, and their loved ones.

Mr. Zero, has been a practicing CPA for over 30 years, with extensive experience in tax planning, administration and compliance. He functions within the traditional role of a CPA as well as in the arena of court appointed guardianship and trustee. His deep commitment to Fran’s Place is evident in all that he does for us.

Dr. Perez is a USC-trained clinical psychologist, and for over 20 years has conducted National Cancer Institute-funded research and consulted at various cancer centers throughout Southern California. His clinical specialties include treating mood disorders arising from medical illness, treatment-related sexual dysfunction, and understanding the role culture plays in Latino patients’ quality of life. Currently, Dr. Perez is a consulting psychologist at the Cancer Center at Hoag Memorial Hospital and has a comprehensive psycho-oncology practice in Newport Beach, CA. He serves clients in English and Spanish.

Carol is a compassionate Licensed Psychotherapist in Orange County since 1997. She has supported The Center since it opened. Her clinical specialty is assisting Cancer Patients and their Caretakers improve their coping skills when their lives are affected by Cancer. Personally impacted by Cancer, she has been a primary caretaker for several of the closest people in her life. Carol feels honored to work so closely with others who are faced with cancer, to navigate and find their “new normal.” In addition to her clinical practice she also has facilitated workshops and retreats as well as cancer support groups at several local Orange County hospitals. She has a private practice in Newport Beach and is also actively involved with several non-profit cancer organizations.

Xiomara has worked in the non-profit and private sector providing multicultural and bilingual counseling services.   She is compassionate and supportive in working with Cancer patients and their families. Xiomara has specialized clinical training in Grief and loss and EMDR (eye movement desensitization Reprocessing) a specialized trauma treatment. In her practice Xiomara works with families, adolescents and young adults in finding solution-focused approach to coping with stressors. Xiomara has been working in the Mental Health field for over ten years and licensed as Marriage and Family Therapist since 2014. She received her Masters of Science from San Diego State University in which her program was aligned with her passion for social justice and multi cultural counseling.

Corina Lopez, PhD, is a bilingual Clinical Health Psychologist with specialties in psycho-oncology, life transitions, trauma, insomnia, and grief. Dr. Lopez works in the private sector and recently joined the Center for Cancer counseling. Her passion in psycho-oncology began during her graduate training at the University of Miami, Florida, where she developed a strong interest in the existential concerns that cancer can bring up for individuals and their families, particularly themes of meaning, purpose, and identity. Dr. Lopez also works part time at the Long Beach VA providing psychological care for Veterans with various mental and physical health disorders. Her experience consists largely of work in medical settings, including cancer centers and primary care clinics.

The co-founder of the Center for Cancer Counseling. His shared vision for helping cancer patients and their families led him to team with Dr. Baumgarten in the development of this non-profit organization. His expertise is in mental health program development and management. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, his MBA from Pepperdine University, and a Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University. He is a licensed LCSW in AZ and CA.

Mr Moore has been admitted to California Bar in 1991 and he is also licensed to practice in Florida. His particular expertise is in the areas of taxation, tax litigation, corporate and partnership law, contracts, commercial transactions and business litigation. He obtained his LL.M. degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law. Mr. Moore’s focus is the satisfaction and the long term relationship with his clients. Specialties: His practice emphasizes civil and criminal taxation, business, bankruptcy, employment law, and estate planning. 

Russell Boschetti is a respected mortgage professional with an education and career background in accounting and corporate finance. Russell shares the passion of our team, to enable support services for those affected by cancer. He is committed to expanding the reach of The Center, by building effective fund raising strategies, increasing support, and fostering growth via community outreach.