Sabrina Dugas
President
Sabrina is Avé’s mother. After the devastating loss of Avé, Sabrina was in search of answers, comfort, and others. Although this is something she would never wish on anyone, she didn’t want to be in it alone and wanted to find those to grieve along with her and those who have started on this journey before her. It has since been her mission, and the mission of every bereaved parent, to make it so that her child is not forgotten, that Avé’s short life means something more.
Ross Dugas
Vice President
Ross is Avé’s father. Although equally deeply saddened, Ross and Sabrina have grieved in different ways. Where she reached out to talk to others, he just wanted to get answers and find out ways to make it so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else. As a Safety Analyst for work, Ross was stricken in a way that all parents are in that he couldn’t save his precious baby girl, but he was going to try to make sure that this didn’t happen to others.
Bob Cohen
Treasurer
Bob, Sabrina’s dad, and also Avé’s “Grampa”, was devastated by the loss of his little angel wrestling with strong and at times inconsolable grief. “I not only lost a grandchild,” he often says, “but it is so hard to watch my own little girl go through this horrible nightmare.” As a man of great faith, Bob knows that God’s promise assures him that someday, when he is called home, he will see his precious Avé again, and, as he notes “and what a reunion it will be!”
Gary Dugas
Executive Board Member
Gary is Ross’s father and Avé’s Pepere. Grandparents have a different story to tell because they not only deal with their own grief, but they also deal with the grief of not being able to take away the pain of their own grieving child. With a degree in behavioral psychology, Gary would be the perfect candidate to handle this, right? But nothing can prepare you for something such as this.
Tricia Corson
Board Member
As very close Friends of the family and pregnant together with our children, it was devastating to watch SIDS take a child from Ross and Sabrina. It hit very close to home and I felt in my heart there had to be something more I could do to help this cause and organization. From a friend’s view and personal experience, being a support system is crucial in so many ways for families who have lost a child to SIDS. I wanted to be an outlet and sounding board for them as they grieved the loss of Ave’.
In my line of work, I always have opportunities for Networking and meeting new faces. I joined the board of Ave’s Hope with excitement knowing it would be a privilege to bring SIDS awareness to the community in hopes one day there will be no more suffering. I look forward to the fundraising efforts we have planned to help with SIDS research.
Samantha Riggas
Board Member
As Sabrina’s “Bestie”, and having kids in school with the Dugas’s, Sam has seen first-hand how the family dealt with such a devastating loss. Through family relations, Sam helped get the cost of Avé’s funeral services covered to help with the financial burden. When Avé’s Hope Inc. organized their first event, Sabrina went to Sam and told her about the event and that she and her parents were going to order themselves some custom shirts to wear. Sam’s first question was, “Well where do I buy my shirt?” Sam has been ”Team Avé’s Hope” for a long time so it only seemed right for her to officially join as a Board Member.
Carol Phillips
Board Member
Carol Phillips has been a close friend of the Dugas family for a very long time. She has been a loving supporter of Avé’s Hope, Inc and our family through these tough times and was thrilled when asked to help even more!
She is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and leadership coach. She’s the author of 52 Simple Ways to Health and Coach Carol’s Do-It-Yourself Health Coaching Guidebook. Carol is also the founder of the Health Design Leadership program and the host of the Health Design Leadership podcast.
A sought-after keynote speaker and corporate trainer, Coach Carol has worked with hundreds of employers to help maximize their worksite culture.
Contact Coach Carol today to take your leadership team from good to great! She can be reached through her website at HealthDesignLeadership.com