Board Members

Madeline Branch | Executive Director and Board Member

Madeline assumed the position of Executive Director in September 2025. Previously, Madeline was a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., where she managed foreign assistance programs in Afghanistan, Tunisia, and Ethiopia and served as a crisis operations and communications officer covering the Middle East. After losing her mom to triple negative Stage IV breast cancer in 2021, Madeline knew she had to alter her path to help others in her home state overcome such a terrible disease.

Madeline holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts from American University.

David Branch, MD | President

David Branch co-founded the Pink Runway Project in 2014 and recommitted to its mission after losing his wife, Fran, to metastatic breast cancer in 2021. A board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, he has dedicated his career to helping patients heal and reclaim strength after breast cancer. For Dr. Branch, the nonprofit is a way to carry forward Fran’s legacy and ensure that no patient in Northern Maine has to face breast cancer alone. His vision is to expand access to compassionate, high-quality care and to establish Northern Maine’s first accredited breast cancer center.

Therese White, MD | Vice President

Dr. Therese White is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with more than 25 years of experience advancing breast cancer care in Maine. A Portland native, she has led surgical programs, directed accredited breast centers, and helped shape multidisciplinary treatment models across the state. Her passion lies in making sure patients are active partners in their care – fully informed, supported, and confident in their choices. Through the Pink Runway Project, she continues her lifelong commitment to expanding high-quality, patient-centered breast cancer treatment in Maine communities.

Jane Branch | Secretary

Jane is a fourth-year medical student in the Maine Track Program at Tufts University School of Medicine and plans to begin residency training in general surgery following her anticipated graduation in 2026. She is deeply committed to community health and advocacy, having served on the Maine Medical Association’s Legislative and Health System Reform Committees, co-authored an American Medical Association resolution on nonprofit hospital oversight, and advocated at the federal level to address healthcare work shortages. In 2022, she partnered with the Pink Runway Project to launch the Change and Check initiative in New England, promoting early breast cancer detection and education. As Secretary of the Pink Runway Project, Jane is dedicated to carrying forward her mother’s legacy by working to advance cancer care in Maine.

Bradley Schaffer, MD | Board Member

Dr. Bradley Schaffer is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who combines surgical expertise with a personal approach to patient care. Dr. Schaffer has guided patients through reconstructive surgery, trauma care, and complex procedures of the hand and upper extremity. His role with the Pink Runway Project reflects his dedication to empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health and to ensuring that thoughtful, patient-first care is accessible to families across Maine.

Paul Branch | Board Member

Paul earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Elon University in 2021. Over the past four years, he has gained extensive experience in clinical breast oncology and lymphoma research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of Vermont Cancer Center. He is now beginning his Physician Assistant studies at Franklin Pierce University in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, with the goal of continuing to serve cancer patients in New England as an advanced practitioner. Through the Pink Runway Project, Paul hopes to honor his mother Fran by helping improve rural cancer care in Maine.