ABOUT US
I started this foundation in honor of my mom, Tina LeClair, who died of breast cancer at the age of 57 in 2013. She told me not to be sad and live on grieving her, but to instead Live, Laugh and Love. Therefore, in order to honor her wishes, I started this foundation to help others locally who are battling cancer, and to also help support their families who are supporting them. We have helped locals in our area who are battling cancer be able to pay their bills. Such bills include pharmacy co-pays, hospital bills, medical devices, mortgage/rent, utility bills, monthly car payments, groceries and more!
We also aim to provide funding for cancer research.
We hope to have fun creating fundraising activities and events for our local community. We are based out of Saranac Lake, NY and aim to help support those battling cancer that are locals to the area in and around Saranac Lake, NY. At this time, we are offering assistance to those that reside in Franklin, Essex, Clinton and St. Lawrence counties. Maybe one day we can grow to help many other counties and states!
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Kristeen Colby
Founder, CEO and President
BOARD MEMBERS
Kristeen Colby
Founder, CEO, President (Tina's daughter)
She started this foundation with the help of her amazing board in 2018. She has an MMS and BS in Physician Assistant from Nova Southeastern University and a BS in Biology and Minor in English from Union College. She most recently completed the Entrepreneurship Program at Clarkson University. She has also lived in Mallorca, Spain as an Au Pair to learn Spanish. She worked as a Physician Assistant for 20 years and recently retired from medicine. She is a single mother of 2 daughters. She and both of her daughters are also active ice hockey players. In February of 2022, she and her youngest daughter competed in the Empire State Winter Games and were able to carry the torch together in the opening ceremonies. She was also a founding member and one of the tri-captains of the Union College Women's Ice Hockey Team in Schenectady, NY from 1994-1997. It has since grown from a club into a Division I team. She has also played rugby for years and is currenlty one of the captains for the Marine Corps Old Breed Rugby Club. It is comprised of active and retired military branches, first responders and select civilians. Kristeen is a retired firefighter and EMT.
Doug Hoffman, CPA/MBA
CFO, Board Treasurer (Tina's former brother-in-law)
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Doug’s career spans more than 50 years. He has worked with many different clients helping them achieve their goals with their estate, tax, business, and personal planning.
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He started his own CPA firm in 1977 and grew it from a sole proprietorship to the regional Northern New York firm of The Hoffman Eells Group, CPA’s with four offices, over 30 employees and 1,000 business clients. He, his wife, and children have started and operated over 10 other businesses. His other career experience included work as an accountant for Aetna Life and Casualty Co., Price Waterhouse, and CFO for the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.
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He has an MBA degree from the University of Connecticut, a BS degree from SUNY Plattsburgh, an AS degree from North Country Community College and studied Engineering at SUNY
Canton. He served in the US Army Reserves and NY National Guards. He has given back to his community as a board member and officer for many, many not for profit organizations over the years.
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Doug retired as managing partner in January 2020. His time is now devoted to coaching and mentoring other CPAs, accounting firms, businesses, and business coaches. In his spare time, he values his time with his wife of 51 years, Carol, his 3 children, 7 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He also enjoys his hobby of collecting, maintaining, and restoring classic cars and trucks.
Jenifer R. Briggs
COO, Legal Counsel (Aunts had breast & lung cancer)
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I am a local attorney and native to the Tri-Lakes Region. I have lived in Lake Placid for most of my life and was happy to be able to return after obtaining my law degree from Albany Law School in 2002. Since that time, I have practiced in a variety of legal fields, most recently focusing in commercial and residential real estate as well as general business formation. In addition to my law practice, I volunteer with a variety of charities. I am a trustee of the Lake Placid Library, a volunteer alpine racing coach for the New York Ski and Education Foundation, and the Chief Operating Officer for The Tina LeClair Memorial Foundation. I am a mother of two daughters and step-mother to a daughter and son.
Dawn Rowell
Vice President (Tina's sister)
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I was born and raised here in Saranac Lake, NY. I have raised 3 children, and I also have 6 grandchildren and 7 step-grandchildren. Life has given me the opportunity to do many different things.
In my younger years, I ran a farm in Vermont, buffed and waxed floors at Adirondack Medical
Center, was a mechanic and auto detailer at Stanley Chevrolet for 17 years, have helped build and fly 3 aerobatic airplanes, and went back to college and obtained a degree in community mental health.
I then went to work for the Lakeside House as the skill development coordinator and started the thrift store Another’s Treasure. My husband's job took us out of the area for 8 years. Unfortunately, while we were gone he became ill and passed away. I came back to the area after that.
Now that I am retired, I volunteer at High Peaks Church and help with their thrift store.
James Forsyth
Assistant Vice President (Lost his sister to breast cancer)
​Founder and CEO of Tri-Lakes Marine that is located in the Adirondacks. He has been working on boats for 35 years and has a loyal following in Lake Placid, NY. He has 2 dogs named Max And Charlie
Gina Abodeely
Secretary (Has battled brain cancer and melanoma)
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Gina Abodeely brings a unique perspective as a board member drawing from her personal experience of being diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Her journey has instilled in her a sense of empathy, resilience, and determination to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Gina understands firsthand the importance of compassionate care, support networks, and the need for accessible resources for those undergoing similar struggles.
In Memory of Tina LeClair - Live ~ Laugh~ Love