Our Leadership
ALEXA CHRONISTER
Founder, President
Alexa founded Fight Like A Warrior after creating the Cards For Warriors program in 2016. With the goal of creating a community of empowerment and improving the lives of those with chronic health conditions, she developed Fight Like A Warrior as a way to cope with her own health challenges, while giving back to others. She received her bachelor's degree with honors distinction in public policy from the University of Delaware and completed a thesis focused on health policy and disease advocacy. Alexa has a passion for working with individuals and communities to advance policy, advocacy, and entrepreneurial efforts, particularly within healthcare, focused on improving access and reducing inequity. When not working, Alexa loves to travel, write, and listen to music!
Contact: alexa.chronister@fightlikeawarrior.org
Instagram: @alexa.chronister
REBECCA WHITELEY
Director of Operations
Rebecca has been a warrior for the past decade after being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and a variety of comorbidities as a teenager. To help cope with the unpredictable nature of her illnesses, Rebecca began creating content on social media showcasing her day-to-day life and searching for others she could relate to. Serendipitously, she stumbled upon the chronic illness online community, to whom she credits her passion for patient advocacy. Working with Fight Like A Warrior has enabled Rebecca to increase her personal impact on the community and give back to those who have given her so much. Rebecca received her bachelor’s degree with honors distinctions in her major and graduating class, and her personal goals include continuing to make a difference for those fighting ongoing health battles in any way she can. In her free time, you can find Rebecca reading, writing, and spending time with her 2 cats and husband!
VALERIE
GACULA
Deputy Director of Operations
Valerie began her journey as a warrior early in life when she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and mental health conditions. But it was her later diagnoses of RA and fibromyalgia that led her to finding the online chronic illness community. These warriors, advocates, and allies helped her accept and begin to thrive within her newfound life. Valerie is passionate about supporting and advocating for others with chronic/invisible illnesses because of her own experiences, and hopes to return the strength and kindness that others have given her. She is currently pursuing a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in philosophy and communications. She intends to continue working with nonprofits to enact change for those in need. In her free time Valerie enjoys reading, crafting, gardening, and volunteering with rescue organizations. But more often than not, you can find her spending quality time with her brood of rescue animals!
Contact: valerie.gacula@fightlikeawarrior.org
Instagram: @braverrie
Additional Contributors
SARA COHEN
Director of Program Development
Sara began writing for Cards for Warriors shortly after its formation and has remained involved through the program's growth and development into Fight Like a Warrior. Sara's battle with her own chronic illnesses has opened her eyes to the misunderstanding and underrepresentation of the patient voice in the healthcare industry. From the depths of her illnesses, Sara found her passion and recently received her masters degree in occupational therapy, while working as a research assistant in a program dedicated to training health profession students in the science and art of complex case management. Outside of Fight Like a Warrior, Sara teaches therapeutic horseback riding lessons, is an Adjunct Faculty in Occupational Therapy Department at her alma mater, and the State Chairperson for the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International. On weekends, Sara can be found at the barn with her recently adopted ex-racehorse, Q!
Contact: sara.cohen@fightlikeawarrior.org
Instagram: @fromthepatientperspective
JAELIN TAYLOR
Podcast Producer
Jaelin was diagnosed with Chronic Tic Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Major Depression, OSFED, PTSD, and Psoriasis, all before graduating from high school, but none of that stopped her from pursuing a college education and graduating with honors. Using her degrees in Communication Studies and Cinema and Television Arts, Jaelin’s personal goal is to create a variety of inclusive content with relatable characters for everyone on all media platforms. When she’s not working on the Fight Like A Warrior Podcast, you can find Jaelin working on original screenplays, hanging out at Disneyland, and having fun with her sorority sisters.
Contact: jaelin.taylor@fightlikeawarrior.org