Meet Gia Vitali: perspective, purpose, and the power of small acts

At Pinky Swear Foundation, we are lucky to have a community of supporters dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families with financial and emotional support. Key to this community is our Board of Directors, a group of individuals who invest their time, expertise, and strengths in working towards the vision of saying ‘yes!’ to every family. In this series, we’ll be introducing members from the Board of Directors and giving you a glimpse into their story.

After just six months on the Board of Directors, Gia Vitali has already become a trusted and talented leader for our organization. As Vice President of Engagement & External Affairs at Collaboration.AI, Gia brings a unique perspective, a strategic mindset, and mission-oriented leadership to her role on Pinky Swear’s Growth Committee – all talents that bring us closer to our vision of saying ‘yes!’ to every family facing childhood cancer. Outside of her professional roles, you can find Gia running, skiing, biking, or curled up with a good book. Read on to learn more about Gia and why she chose to share her talents with Pinky Swear Foundation!

Q: What drew you to Pinky Swear Foundation?
A: Even though a cancer diagnosis is complex for the child and their family, the mission of Pinky Swear Foundation is simple. Support those kids and families at their toughest moment. There is some beauty in taking a bite-sized approach at an overwhelming problem.

Q: There are a lot of organizations that support the cancer community. What about Pinky Swear’s mission stands out to you?
A: What stands out to me is how Pinky Swear takes a complex, heartbreaking diagnosis and meets it with simple, yet impactful support. There’s something really beautiful about offering help that’s immediate and grounded - even the smallest act can mean everything to a family in crisis.

Q: What do each of the Pinky Swear values (Compassion, Collaboration, Celebration) mean to you?
A: They all resonate with me, but I am especially drawn to “Celebration”. It’s a good reminder, no matter the day, your health at the moment, or your mood, that celebrating the big and small is important.

Q: Is there a particular accomplishment during your tenure on the Board of Directors that you’re proud of?
A: I love turning ideas into action. I’m especially excited about helping the Board and staff create and execute a strategic plan to broaden our fundraising base so it aligns more closely with the generosity of our community.

Q: What talents do you bring to the Board of Directors?
A: When people ask me the icebreaker question, “what’s your superpower” I always say “perspective”. There isn’t anything special about that. But I think I’m really good at taking a step back, looking past the clutter, and offering guidance.

Q: What have you learned during your time on the Board of Directors?
A: In my short time on the board, I have learned that a small and mighty team can move mountains for what they believe in. And the lives of the families we serve are better for that. Personally, I hope I can keep up with this team, learn from them, and support them expand our organizational reach to ensure more families feel the love of Pinky Swear Foundation.

Q: What are your hopes for Pinky Swear Foundation in the childhood cancer space?
A: My hope is that we become the go-to organization for families dealing with what is likely the toughest news they’ll ever deal with – a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Q: If there was one thing you wanted people to know about Pinky Swear Foundation, what would it be?
A: Your support, in any amount, matters to these families.

Thank you, Gia, for all that you do to support kids with cancer and their families. We are so lucky to have you!

Learn more about our Board of Directors and how you can get involved here.