PRESIDENT

Rita B. Contreras is the President of Team Nathaniel and the proud mother of Nathaniel Contreras. After walking through the profound emotional and financial challenges of her son’s cancer diagnosis and eventual loss of Nathaniel in 2015, Rita and her husband, DJ, made a courageous decision: they would turn their grief into purpose. In Nathaniel’s honor, they committed themselves to being part of the solution — continuing the fight against cancer so that other families would not have to walk the same road alone.

Rita believes that supporting families during their most difficult moments is not only a mission, but also a meaningful way to heal. By offering guidance, compassion, and tangible assistance, she helps others navigate a journey she knows all too well — transforming loss into hope and action.

She is also the devoted mother of two sons, Lucas and Matthew. Though life is often full and fast-paced, Rita treasures time spent with her family — whether exploring the mountains, traveling together, or simply enjoying the comfort of home. Her strength, resilience, and heart for service continue to inspire everyone around her.

VICE PRESIDENT

DJ Contreras is the Vice President of Team Nathaniel and the devoted father of Nathaniel Contreras. In the wake of Nathaniel’s passing, DJ turned unimaginable heartbreak into unwavering purpose. Witnessing firsthand the immense emotional and financial strain placed on families — especially those facing a recurrence of cancer — he became determined to close the gap in support that so many desperately need.

For DJ, honoring Nathaniel means more than remembrance; it means action. He is especially passionate about ensuring that every oncology patient receives a free LEGO® set during hospital stays or clinic visits — a tribute to Nathaniel’s favorite pastime and a simple but powerful way to bring moments of joy, creativity, and distraction during difficult days. What once brought comfort to his son now brings light to countless other children.

Through Team Nathaniel, DJ channels his love for his son into meaningful impact, helping families feel seen, supported, and less alone in their fight.

Outside of his advocacy work, DJ enjoys golfing, camping, and vacationing with friends and family — cherishing the time spent creating memories with the people he loves most.

SECRETARY

Leticia Duarte serves as Secretary for Team Nathaniel, supporting fundraising initiatives and community events through her expertise in logistics and marketing. With a professional background in global event planning and marketing for over 15 years, Leticia brings a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to ensure initiatives reach the families who need support most.

For Leticia, Team Nathaniel is deeply personal; it is work that she carries in her heart and considers part of her purpose. While working with Rita early in her career, she met Nathaniel during his battle with cancer. When Rita and DJ chose to give back to the community that carried them through their most difficult days and to support families who may not have the same resources—Leticia was honored to help. 

She has served in various volunteer roles and nonprofit boards supporting organizations that are dedicated to empowering families through financial, housing, and educational assistance. Her continued commitment to the community reflects her belief that every family deserves compassion, stability, and a network of support when they need it most.

In her personal life, Leticia enjoys traveling, musicals, and seeking adventure with her partner, David, and their dog, Grover, as well as cozy nights at home as a proud homebody.

BOARD MEMBER

Mihal Sabar serves on the Board of Directors for Team Nathaniel, leading fundraising initiatives and helping organize community events that support children and families facing childhood cancer. With a professional background in accounting, Mihal brings a steady, detail‑driven approach to the foundation’s financial planning and long‑term sustainability.

For Mihal, Team Nathaniel is more than a cause — it’s deeply personal. She joined the foundation at its very beginning because Nathaniel was the son of a close friend—someone she loved deeply. Being a part of the organization is a source of pride and fulfillment and has become a meaningful way to honor Nathaniel’s memory and ensure his name continues to inspire hope in others.

Before joining the board, Mihal was already involved in volunteer work focused on supporting children in need. She volunteered with nonprofits focused on helping kidsbattling cancer as well as organizations working to fight childhood hunger. This long-standing dedication reflects her belief that every child deserves hope, care, dignity, and a community that stands beside them—especially during life’s most difficult moments.

Mihal is passionate about bringing people together, building connections, strengthening community support, and making sure families never feel alone in their fight. Her dedication continues to expand the foundation’s reach and impact, one event, one fundraiser, onefamily, and most importantly, one hero at a time.

BOARD MEMBER

DeAnna Maes serves on the Board of Directors for Team Nathaniel. She is a devoted leader whose passion for service has shaped nearly three decades of work in the criminal justice field. Over her 28 years with a local municipality, she has served in meaningful leadership roles—including Clerk of Court and Chief Probation Officer—guided by her belief in fairness, compassion, and community. She earned her MA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, driven by a desire to grow not just as a leader, but as a mentor to others.

DeAnna’s heart for advocacy deepened in 2015 after learning about the loss Rita and DJ experienced when their son, Nathaniel, passed away from Osteosarcoma. His story—and the difficult reality of how underfunded childhood cancer research is—moved her profoundly. Inspired by Nathaniel’s courage and the strength of his family, she joined Team Nathaniel to help ensure other families facing childhood cancer feel supported, seen, and never alone.

A proud Colorado native, DeAnna finds her greatest joy at home in Denver, where she lives with her wife Kim and their two dogs, Honey and CoCo—who regularly remind her that life’s sweetest moments often come with a wagging tail.

BOARD MEMBER

Sarah is a Colorado native who earned a bachelors of Science from Syracuse University.  After graduation, with little luck finding work in her field of study, she took a position in a University Computer lab.  This launched a more than 20 year career in systems engineering and eventually leading engineering teams. 

Sarah's oldest child was in Nathaniel's class and her husband was a teacher at Nathaniel's school, making his battle deeply personal for Sarah and her family.  Sarah has been on the board for Team Nathaniel for nearly 9 years, volunteering at events, attending fundraisers and community events, and maintaining the website. Although Team Nathaniel can bring some heartbreaking moments, Sarah is passionate about the cause and helping make any kids with Cancer day a little better. 

Outside of work and Team Nathaniel, Sarah enjoys her family, dogs, skiing and hiking. 

Sarah and her fellow board members wish to take Team Nathaniel to the next level, eventually making a difference Nationally.