Our Board

The people guiding Knowledge & Willpower Network's mission — each shaped by their own experience with cancer's reach into family and community.

Gary Davis

Founder & Executive Director

Gary Davis founded Knowledge & Willpower Network after his own cancer diagnosis seven years ago, and in honor of his friend Will Washington, whom he advocated for throughout his journey with pancreatic cancer. After Will's passing, Gary made it his lifelong mission to support others through their cancer journeys. He has served on the UW Carbone Cancer Center's African American Cancer Advocacy Board since its founding in November 2020 (now known as Voices in Cancer Disparities), and has partnered with the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) to provide free prostate screenings in historically under-resourced communities across Dane County, Wisconsin. His collaborations with the Cancer Center and PCEC have taken him to several states for prostate health education and speaking engagements.

Harold Gates

Board President

Harold Gates is co-founder and president of the Midwest Center for Cultural Competence, LLC, a Madison-based practice specializing in cultural competence training, equity consultation, and organizational inclusion strategy for clients across Wisconsin and beyond. With over three decades of experience — including 15 years as a cultural diversity consultant at the Mental Health Center of Dane County and more than 25 years on the Human Services Program faculty at Madison College — he brings both scholarly grounding and deep community roots to his work in health equity.

Sarah Esmond

Board Secretary

Sarah Esmond brings three decades of expertise navigating higher education, health care delivery systems, and diverse community settings to end disparities in health and health outcomes. Breast cancer took her sister, Beth, when she was only 49 years old. Sarah joined the Network's leadership team to advance its critical mission of supporting cancer patients and their families in ways that health systems and cancer research cannot.

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Sara Mrozek

Board Treasurer

Sara Mrozek believes in the Network's mission and in making a positive difference in the lives of others. As Treasurer, she contributes her time, skills, and experience to something meaningful while working alongside people who share her passion for helping others. She brings 24 years of financial knowledge and expertise to her role, along with a strong commitment to organization, accountability, and the success of the nonprofit. This mission is especially close to her heart: she has personally supported two close friends through their cancer journeys, both during treatment and as they continue to navigate life with cancer — experiences that deepened her understanding of how important compassion, support, and community can be during life's most difficult moments.