Last year, we celebrated how your support links us together. Like a friendship bracelet, each gift forming a chain of impact. This year, we’re going a step deeper: highlighting the people, the threads, who make those connections possible.

Meet Joanna Cermak, the Imagination Thread. As the Foundation’s Communications and Donor Relations Manager, Joanna helps bring our mission to life. From producing the Beyond the Test podcast to creating campaigns that inspire generosity, she helps share the voices and experiences that make the Foundation’s work so meaningful.

Q: Tell me a little about yourself — where you’re from, what you love, or a fun fact most people don’t know.
Joanna: I’m the Foundation’s Communications and Donor Relations Manager.  I get to wear a lot of creative hats from producing our podcast and writing donor stories to designing campaigns and finding new ways to connect people to our mission. Outside of work, I’m a big reader, a horror movie fan, and a Disney enthusiast. Fun fact, I am actually a former cast member. Whether it’s a book, a film, or a theme park attraction, I’m always drawn to stories that leave a lasting impact.

Q: What’s a hobby or interest you have outside of work that energizes you?
Joanna: I’m a huge Disney fan, but not just because of the movies. I love the parks, the Imagineering behind the attractions and the lore behind the rides. I also love reading and horror movies, and all things Halloween.

Q: If the Foundation were a bracelet, what kind of thread would you be?
Joanna: I’d be the imagination thread. It’s the thread that sees possibilities, brings ideas to life, and helps turn moments into meaningful stories. I love finding creative ways to connect people to the Foundation’s mission.

Q: Share one small moment at the Foundation that made you smile or feel proud.
Joanna: Mentoring our high school volunteer, Elsa, through creating her own Mindful Minutes podcast episode is a moment I’ll always remember. Watching her develop an idea, step behind the microphone, and share something meaningful with our audience was incredibly rewarding. And while I’m genuinely proud that her episode became one of our top three most-streamed episodes…I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a tiny bit jealous.

Q: What’s your unofficial “superpower” at the Foundation?
Joanna: My superpower is being a magic maker. Not actual magic, although that would be a amazing, but I love adding those thoughtful creative touches that turn an ordinary communication into something memorable.

Q: How do you see the Foundation connecting people—whether donors, residents, or patients?
Joanna: The Foundation creates connections that people may never even realize they’re part of. A donor’s generosity helps educate a resident. A pathologist volunteers at See, Test & Treat. A patient receives life-changing care because someone believed in our mission. Every person becomes part of someone else’s story, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond a single gift or event.

Q: What does “connection” mean to you in the context of the Foundation’s work?
Joanna: Connection means understanding that every action has an impact beyond what we can see. A donation, a volunteer’s time, a podcast episode, or a shared story can inspire someone, change a career, or even save a life.

Q: How do your day-to-day contributions tie into the bigger picture?
Joanna: My role is to help people see the impact behind the numbers. I help connect people to our mission so they understand the difference they’re making.

Q: How do you hope the Foundation’s connections grow in the coming year?
Joanna: I hope we continue reaching new audiences and telling more stories that inspire people to get involved. And if those new connections happen to come with a few more donations attached, I certainly won’t complain.

Q: If the Foundation had a theme song, what would it be?
Joanna: “Long Live” by Taylor Swift has to make the list, and yes, I know I may be slightly biased because I created the friendship bracelet campaign and “Go the Distance” from Hercules but the Lost Bros version is superior.

 Now Playing: Connected: The Foundation Playlist
As part of this campaign, we’re building a CAP Foundation playlist featuring songs chosen by our staff, board, awardees and donors. As the campaign unfolds, so will the playlist, with new songs added along the way. Listen along and hear the soundtrack behind the threads that hold us together.