Our Team

PAULINDA SCHIMMEL BABBINI – President

Paulinda’s inspiration behind The Circle: Listen to the short clip »

Paulinda made Los Angeles her home in 1975, relocating from New York. She quickly built a full life as a devoted wife, mother to a son and daughter, and successful entrepreneur—owning and operating a digital imaging company for over four decades.

Everything changed in 2004 when her 17-year-old daughter, Robin, was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. Robin fought with unwavering courage, but tragically, her life was cut short just two and a half years later. She passed away at the age of 20.

Determined to honor her daughter’s legacy and raise awareness about the disease that took her life, Paulinda founded the nonprofit organization The Ovarian Cancer Circle / Inspired By Robin Babbini.

With passionate and tireless dedication, Paulinda has committed herself to educating others about the signs and symptoms of this silent and often misdiagnosed disease—especially among young women. Her advocacy work spans Southern California and beyond, as she actively participates in health fairs, women’s conferences, and educational seminars, and even travels to Washington, D.C. to lobby for greater awareness and research funding.

Paulinda has forged strong connections with groups such as Kappa Kappa Gamma, Robin’s sorority at UC Santa Barbara, ensuring that young women are informed, empowered, and proactive about their health.

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she was awarded a Los Angeles Certificate of Recognition, acknowledging her leadership, advocacy, and steadfast commitment to ovarian cancer education. She has also received numerous honors, including the “Women in Leadership Award” from the City of West Hollywood, KNX Radio’s “Hero of the Week”, the recipient of the E Women Grant Foundation 2024— and for eight consecutive years—the City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition.

Paulinda’s mission is deeply personal, and everything she does is a tribute to her beloved daughter.

“Robin is my inspiration, motivation, and strength,” she says. “Her spirit inspires me to stay focused and, with steadfast determination, make a difference.”

DALIA HAYON – Treasurer

Dalia Hayon’s career began in the field of education after she got her teaching degree at Stern College in New York. For 30 years that followed she owned a chain of 14 retail stores, building the business from the ground up and employed 120 people. She also engaged in International Import & Export trading in the U.S., Europe and the Far East. For 2 years she and her husband owned a 100 ft party yacht and served as the CFO and event planner.

Twenty-five years ago, she made another career switch when she became a senior herself. Combining her love for education, business and financing, she has been working as an independent financial Advisor of several law firms in Los Angeles, set up computerized accounting for the Santa Monica Bar Association, traveled with 2 auction companies nationwide as a senior computerized bookkeeper, and dedicates most of her time to working with families and business owners to educate and help design their financial and insurance needs based on HER OWN business experience.

She is also involved in number of community outreach activities. In 2010 she served as the treasurer of the San Fernando Valley Parkinson’s Association. For the past 15 years, she has been serving as the treasurer of The Ovarian Cancer Circle/Inspired by Robin Babbini. Twenty-five years ago, Dalia founded the Women’s Professional Forum, a women’s networking group. This is a platform for women to establish personal relationships that become valuable business connections.

She recently published an article in the Me Magazine titled “Who Will Take Care of Me?” Dalia is happily married for 61 years, a mother of 2 and a proud grandmother of 4.

BARBARA JAVITZ – Secretary

Barbara is a retired entertainment industry executive with over 40 years of experience in the creation and distribution of content. She concentrated in start-up organizations and project management, specifically in the implementation and facilitation of content throughout distribution platforms.

For more than 20 years, Barbara has been an active volunteer in the non-profit arena. She is one of the directors emeritus of the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry and is currently Board Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator.

Barbara has been a dedicated advocate for ovarian cancer fundraising and education programs for more than 15 years and currently serves as Board Secretary.

In her outside pursuits, Barbara is a member of the Doria chapter of Hadassah, a member of Chai Neighbors and is a volunteer ESL instructor for LAUSD. With her family, she is also an avid traveler, exploring the world.

NATALIE MIGNON

Natalie Mignon brings over 30 years of experience in parks and recreation, community engagement, and event leadership. She has led major citywide events, youth programs, camps, and red-carpet celebrations that strengthen and unite communities.

She has collaborated with pageants including Miss Latina, Global, Miss Teen Asia USA, and Miss Asia USA, and was an original board member instrumental in bringing the Hollywood Carnival also known as the LA Culture Festival to Hollywood. Natalie also brings extensive PR and marketing expertise to every project she undertakes.

A dedicated community advocate, she has worked alongside the Sheriff’s Youth Activities League, partnered with the LAPD United Peace Officers Against Crime (UPAC) camp, and collaborates with multiple city councils to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, bringing attention to this insidious disease through public advocacy and council meetings.

For 15 years, Natalie has served as Vice President of The Ovarian Cancer Circle, honoring the legacy of Robin Babbini, who worked with her in the City of West Hollywood Tiny Tots program a connection she has always cherished. Her contributions have been recognized with a proclamation from the City of Los Angeles and the California Parks and Recreation Society Professional Award.

Natalie is committed to empowering women, families, and communities affected by cancer and has also served as an ambassador for the Black Chamber of Los Angeles, connecting community resources with impactful programs.

JANA ROSENBLATT – Board Member

Jana is a Los Angeles-based interior designer, podcast host, author/ illustrator and creative professional with over two decades of experience in transforming spaces and lives, through thoughtful, intentional design. With a Master of Fine Arts in Design for Stage and Screen from NYU, Jana began her career in the entertainment industry designing sets and costumes for film and television before transitioning into high-end residential and commercial interiors. Today, she specializes in luxury home renovations, new construction, and guiding families through post-disaster rebuilds with clarity and compassion.

Check out Jana’s podcast, www.FromDisastertoDreamHome.com, and her book, The Future Interior Designers Handbook, for children of all ages!

Jana is also a 24-year survivor of ovarian cancer, a journey that has deeply shaped her outlook and priorities. As a survivor, wife, sister, nana, friend and creative, Jana brings her voice, visibility, and dedication to The Circle’s mission of education, advocacy, and funding critical research. She believes in the power of community and is honored to contribute to an organization that offers hope, support, and tangible progress for those impacted by this disease.

DR. SANAZ MEMARZADEH, M.D. Ph.D – The Circle’s Affiliate Gynecologic Oncologist

Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA,
Director, G.O. Discovery Lab

Dr. Memarzadeh is a gynecologic oncologist and molecular biologist. She gained an undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh. After medical school, also at the University of Pittsburgh, she moved to UCLA for her OB-GYN residency. She became passionate about caring for women with gynecologic cancers and realized that there was a vital need for basic science research in this field to help improve current therapies. She pursued a clinical fellowship in gynecologic oncology and at the same time began her training as a basic scientist. Within eight years, she earned a PhD and completed her fellowship training.

Dr. Memarzadeh is passionate about being a woman clinician-scientist who works both at the bedside and the bench. She hopes to improve how women with gynecologic cancers are treated. She cares for patients with gynecologic cancers at UCLA and at the West Los Angeles VA hospital.

Learn more about Dr. Memarzadeh and the UCLA G.O. Discovery Lab by visiting The Circle’s webpage dedicated to the latest advancements happening in the lab to find hope and a cure for ovarian cancer.