Mike Slive Foundation Names Six New Board Members

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA –The Mike Slive Foundation recently named its newest board members, continuing the Foundation’s mission to eradicate prostate cancer through research funding and education. Since its inception in 2017, the Mike Slive Foundation is proud to have raised over $4 Million, which funds cutting-edge prostate cancer research grants and provides education and awareness programming. 

“Our mission is to eradicate prostate cancer, a disease which affects 1 in 8 men,” said Anna Slive Harwood, Executive Director of the Mike Slive Foundation. “Our Board of Directors is composed of exceptional community leaders across the southeast who are committed to saving lives by raising awareness of prostate cancer. Continuing to build upon the incredible board that our co-founder Ed Meyerson created, and the scientists who receive our research grants, we have created an incredible team of dedicated people who are channeling their expertise and talent to end prostate cancer in our lifetime.”

The Newest Mike Slive Foundation Board members include:

Jeffrey A. Bayer is the President and CEO of Bayer Ventures LLC in Birmingham, Alabama. Additionally, he serves as Senior Advisor for Capitol Peak Ventures, a real estate investment firm located in Dallas, Texas. In 1983, Jeffrey founded Bayer Properties, LLC and currently retains an ownership position in the firm and its real estate assets. Under his leadership the organization grew from a local property management company to a national commercial real estate firm with a mixed-use asset portfolio of 10 million square feet.  Bayer currently serves on the board of directors for Leadership Alabama, Leadership Birmingham and the University of Alabama’s Health Service Foundation. He also serves in the following business and civic leadership positions: International Trustee for the International Council of Shopping Centers; member of The University of Alabama’s President’s Cabinet; The University of Alabama’s Board of Visitors; and The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s President’s Campaign Executive Committee. 

Dr. Joelle Hamilton graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University, where she received her Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mathematics and Economics. She then attended the University of Kentucky College of Medicine for her medical education. Following Kentucky, Dr. Hamilton completed an internship at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, where she then went on to complete her residency. Staying at the University of Alabama School of Medicine she completed her fellowship in the department of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Hamilton joined Urology Centers of Alabama in 2016, where she has led the development of the advanced prostate cancer program.

Dr. Hamilton has lectured as an invited specialist for numerous conferences as a specialist in medical oncology including the UAB ASCO Review and the Tri-State Cancer Congress. Dr. Hamilton has worked with The Mike Slive Foundation review proposal commitment to find a cure for prostate cancer. The Foundation funds pilot grants for innovative research that allows researchers the ability to show proof-of-concept when applying for larger, highly competitive federal grants. She is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Urologic Association, American Medical Association, and the Southern Medical Association.

Zach Cloud is a Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor in the Consumer and Wealth Management Division. He works closely with a select group of high-net-worth clients and their advisors, including individuals, family offices, foundations, and institutions. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Zack was employed at Morgan Stanley for 10 years in New York City as an Executive Director in Institutional Sales and Trading. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Zack worked in capital markets at a large regional bank as well as Ernst and Young. Zack serves on the board of the UAB Athletics Foundation as well as a member of the UAB School of Business Finance Advisory Board and is the past president of the New York Chapter of the UAB Alumni Society. Zack also is an active member of the Atlanta Police Foundation. Zack graduated from the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s School of Business with B.S. degrees in Accounting and Finance in 2002.

Paul S. Simmons, II is a native of Birmingham, Alabama with 20 plus years of experience in the health care field as a Sales Representative at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Paul is currently serving as the Director of Educational Activities and Chairman of the Education Foundation of the Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He also serves as a board member for the Homewood City Schools Foundation.  

Because of his personal experience with prostate cancer, Paul provides a unique perspective, and has become a champion in the fight to end this disease. He is also passionate about bringing awareness to the community at large.

Paul W. Simmons is a Regional Director for Allspring Global Investments and has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years. Paul has served on the Boards of The Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation and Camp Fire Alabama. Paul is a member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and has served numerous leadership roles as a member of Independent Presbyterian Church. Paul earned a B.S. in Marketing at Auburn University. Paul has been married to his wife Wendy for 35 years and they have two Children. 

Stefanie Starnes is the Travel Coordinator for Holly NeSmith Travel, a boutique and highly curated travel planning company, where she specializes in connecting with clients and partners around the world to piece together a desired custom experience. Before her career in luxury travel planning, Stefanie graduated from Auburn University in 2006 with a degree in Marketing and began her career in pharmaceutical sales. She believes that medicine, travel, and fundraising all have one thing in common, and that is the capacity to change lives.  

Her father’s prostate cancer diagnosis in 2021 ignited her passion to spread awareness about the importance of early detection, raise funds for medical advancements, and further highlight The Mike Slive Foundation’s ultimate cause: putting an end to prostate cancer.