Board of Directors

Heart of Passion is proud to introduce our newest members of the board!

We look forward to what they have to bring!

Karen Comer

Pine Mountain, GA |Mother of two and Homemaker | Chairman of the Board

“Tune into God and live.”
~Venice Bloodworth

I work part time as a consultant for a wholesale gift line, an organizer, and a decorator. I have known Savannah since she and my daughter became best friends at age 11. Her strength and resilience continue to amaze me with all she has been through. Savannah has such compassion for fellow teens and young adults who re going through the experience of having cancer, treatments, and survival. She knows first hand how they feel. Her vision and creation of Heart of Passion is one of service and ministry. She has touched so many lives. I am proud to be a part of this wonderful organization and look forward to the growth and interaction of more Red Carpet Day retreats and service to these precious young people.

Bonnie Giglio

Fayetteville, GA | Homemaker | Secretary of the Board

“If a man does his best, what else is there?”
~Gen. George S. Patton

I graduated from Ga Tech in 1977 with a major in industrial management and worked with Continental Insurance for 6 years. For the past 20 years I've been a fulltime mom and volunteer for school, church, and sport activities. Over the past 6 years I've watched Savannah from afar and I've been so impressed by all that she accomplishes. Red Carpet Day is an amazing event. I consider it quite a privilege to be on the Board for Heart of Passion.

Gay Solomon

Tyrone, GA | Homebuilder | Treasurer of the Board

“Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?”
~Frank Scully

Until this year, the home I built was the Solomon household. Now Savannah's at Georgia Tech and Sean's almost there, so I'm branching out to construction and enjoying it. I also enjoy fishing, reading, quilting and getting into the backcountry as often as possible – whether by foot or by canoe.

I've been involved with Red Carpet Day since it's inception and stayed up many nights as Savannah tried to hammer out details of how to do things! I've really enjoyed watching this event and the people involved in it mature. This past year and a half I have been less actively involved in Red Carpet Day and thought I had retired. Recently the need of a Treasurer came up for Heart of Passion, Inc. I happen to have skill in this area and, when offered the opportunity, took it. I have to admit that it's hard to retire from an organization whose corporate headquarters are in your home!

C. Philip Smelley

Atlanta, GA | Insurance Agent | Board Member

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.”
~Thoreau

I have always had a special love for young people and watching them grow and mature in the decisions they make as they confront life. As a man who has enjoyed life with a squadron of angels watching over me, protecting me from the consequences of many of my worst decisions, I have been especially charmed by Savannah and her unique, matter of fact, approach to her challenges. Even as a teenager, Savannah was wise beyond her years. This organization is a testament to the fact that one person’s vision and passion can be shared and spread to the benefit of all fortunate enough to become exposed. After being exposed over the last four years, I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the maturing of HoP.

Jill George

Atlanta, GA | Executive Director, CURE Childhood Cancer | Board Member

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

I have never met a teenager with such a powerful purpose, sense of self and compassion for others as Savannah Solomon. Savannah is dedicated to helping teens with cancer survive with strength, dignity and laughter. And she knows about surviving cancer. She’s done it three times. Her experience with cancer led her, at the age of 16, to conceive of Red Carpet Day. In 2001, Savannah approached the board of CURE Childhood Cancer to support Red Carpet Day. We thought it was an extraordinary idea, but we wondered whether a high school junior battling cancer could pull off such a logistically difficult undertaking. All it took was one meeting with Savannah to convince us to support her. This is one young woman on a mission! From that first meeting, I know I would forever be involved.

CURE Childhood Cancer agreed to become a sponsor and it is my personal pleasure to continue to contribute to Heart of Passion, so that this incredible event for teens with cancer could continue every year.

Deb Valvo

Peachtree City, GA | Board Member

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.”
~Confucius

My involvement with Heart of Passion has been fairly extensive in a brief period of time and I've found it to be a very rewarding commitment. Meeting so many others who have embraced this organization and it's goals has been one of the biggest pleasures. Knowing that you can impact these young people in such a positive way makes all the efforts incredibly worthwhile. And knowing that there are so many other new opportunities just waiting around the corner for Heart of Passion is a considerably motivating factor!