Board of Directors
When I decided to create an organization dedicated to increasing awareness about pediatric brain cancer and raising research dollars to fight this disease, I turned to the two (2) women closest to me. I admire these women, and thus I sought their advice and participation. My sister-in-law is Dr. Lynae Canales, and my sister is Patricia Canales Bell - - - both accomplished professionals, dedicated and loving mothers, and activists in our community. Together, we formed The Jackie Black Brain Cancer Foundation which later became the Ready Or Not Foundation. They have provided amazing emotional and financial support for this endeavor, and they are forever tied to this effort with their love for their niece. They are business savvy, and they are committed to this organization and its mission. I am proud to have them on our board of directors, and their biographies speak to their accomplishments. Most of all, I love them for standing by me. When I think of whom I want to hug anytime something goes wrong or right, they are first in line. They are my sisters.
- Barbara
Founding Board Members
Barbara Canales
Barbara Canales was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated from Ray High School as valedictorian, and thus earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin. Barbara received her Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1989. In 1992, she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston. After living in Houston, Texas, for ten years, Barbara moved back to her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. From 1992 to 2004, Barbara was a co-owner of BNP Petroleum Corp., an independent oil and gas exploration and production company involved with natural gas development in south Texas. In 2004, Barbara formed her own exploration company, Canales Exploration LLC, and she currently serves as President of this company.
Barbara has been recognized for various accomplishments. She is the recipient of the 2005 Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Las Estrellas Award. In 2006, the University of Texas College of Engineering bestowed Barbara Canales with the Young Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award.
Barbara currently serves on the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, and on The University of Texas Marine Science Advisory Board, and on the University of Texas at Austin Development Board. In the past, Barbara has served on the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Foundation Board, Texas State Aquarium board, South Texas Institute for the Arts board, VICTORY (a division of the American Cancer Society), and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Higher Education Planning Committee. She has served as a volunteer for numerous charitable organizations, but has been most passionate about the Ronald McDonald House over the past four (4) years. Recently, she received the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award. She is a lifetime member of MANA, a national Latina organization.
Barbara is the mother of five incredible children: Caroline (age 18), David (age 16), Natalie (age 13), Daniel (age 11), and Jacqueline (age 10). She resides in Corpus Christi, Texas, and is the founder of the Ready or Not Foundation.
Barbara currently serves on the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, and on The University of Texas Marine Science Advisory Board, and on the University of Texas at Austin Development Board. In the past, Barbara has served on the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Foundation Board, Texas State Aquarium board, South Texas Institute for the Arts board, VICTORY (a division of the American Cancer Society), and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Higher Education Planning Committee. She has served as a volunteer for numerous charitable organizations, but has been most passionate about the Ronald McDonald House over the past four (4) years. Recently, she received the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award. She is a lifetime member of MANA, a national Latina organization.
Barbara is the mother of five incredible children: Caroline (age 18), David (age 16), Natalie (age 13), Daniel (age 11), and Jacqueline (age 10). She resides in Corpus Christi, Texas, and is the founder of the Ready or Not Foundation.
Dr. Lynae Canales
Lynae Canales, M.D. is currently a pediatrician in private practice in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born in Kankakee, Illinois and raised in Essex, Connecticut. She graduated Valedictorian from Valley Regional High School in 1991. She attended Dartmouth College where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She received her medical degree and the Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation from Baylor College of Medicine in 1999. She completed her pediatric residency training at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
She currently enjoys practicing general pediatrics in Corpus Christi where she resides with her husband, Hector, and three sons, Andrew, Samuel and Benjamin.
She currently enjoys practicing general pediatrics in Corpus Christi where she resides with her husband, Hector, and three sons, Andrew, Samuel and Benjamin.
Patricia Canales Bell
Patricia Canales Bell is a partner in the law firm of Canales & Simonson, P.C. in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas and is a graduate from W.B. Ray High School. In 1991, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Liberal Arts Degree. Patricia received her Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1994. After obtaining her law degree, she served as law clerk to the Honorable Janis Graham Jack, United Stated District Judge. Today, she is in private practice and enjoys an active career in Business Litigation.
She is a former member of the Christus Spohn Hospital Board of Trustees, Del Mar College Foundation, and is involved in numerous community activities.
Patricia is married to J. P. “Buddy” Bell, Jr. They are the parents of Grace, Ava and Jack Bell.
She is a former member of the Christus Spohn Hospital Board of Trustees, Del Mar College Foundation, and is involved in numerous community activities.
Patricia is married to J. P. “Buddy” Bell, Jr. They are the parents of Grace, Ava and Jack Bell.
Other Board Members
Jackie Black
Bio coming soon
Larry Olivarez, Jr.
Larry Olivarez, Jr., CEP®, CRPC®, is a financial advisor in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is a 2001 graduate of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and holds the professional designations of Certified Estate Planner and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. His background is in comprehensive financial planning, investments, charitable giving and estate planning. Larry Olivarez has been a practicing financial advisor since 2001.
While attending Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Larry was a pitcher on the Islander Baseball Team and served as Co-Captain in 2001. Through the years, Larry Olivarez has stayed active in the community by being a member of the Corpus Christi and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. He is a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi Class XXXV and has volunteered in years past with groups such as Forward Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Hooks serving as a coach in their 2005 Baseball School. Olivarez is also very active with Texas A&M University Corpus Christi; serving on the national board, as homecoming chairman in 2005, and in 2007, was elected President of the National Alumni Association. In 2006, Larry Olivarez was honored by being selected as one of the top young professionals by FYI Magazine in their “Forty under Forty” issue. Larry is married to Priscilla and they have a one year old son named Larry III. He and his family reside in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Alana Dodds Seal
A native of South Texas, Alana owned and operated a restaurant/catering business for 15 years before she moved to Los Angeles in 2011. Her foray into being a Publicist for author, Marc Clark, and his award-winning children’s books, "The Princess Fables", "The Royal Fables" and "The Prince & Princess of Christmas", has been nothing short of spectacular. She has taken "The Princess Fables", an unknown book a year ago, to a number one bestseller on Amazon. Alana has booked the author in hospitals and at elementary schools in Los Angeles, New York, Texas and recently Florida. She has arranged TV appearances, radio, internet and print articles and interviews across the country and in Europe, including the cover of Life and the Single Parent Magazine. Alana coordinated the launch of "The Royal Fables", benefitting the Ready or Not Foundation, with all of the proceeds from the book funding pediatric brain cancer research. Alana has been extensively involved with many charitable organizations over the years. She has 3 children, ages 24, 18 and 10.