President
Joe was appointed to the board in June 2021 when he was elected President, the office he continues to hold. A double-lung transplant saved his wife, Lisa’s life in October 2015. Joe feels serving on the board is one way he can give back and support the “next generation” of lung-transplant recipients. When he is not working, Joe spends his free time with Lisa and takes care of his aging parents
Vice president
Sunday Mancini joined as the Vice President in 2026. In May 2025, she had a double lung transplant following a failed battle with pneumonia. She is thankful to still be alive to spend time with her son Lars, traveling and making memories. She loves reading, napping with her dog Cookie, and horror movies.
Treasurer
Lan joined the board as a director in August 2023. Currently, I serve as BNL’s Treasurer and BNL’s social media liaison. Due to an underlying autoimmune disease that led to pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, she had her double-lung transplant in January 2020. With her second chance at life, Lan continues to enjoy eating, traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, two bulldogs, family, and friends.
Secretary
Patty joined the board in August 2021 as a director and presently serves as Secretary. She also publishes our quarterly newsletter and administers the BNL Facebook page. Her underlying disease is cystic fibrosis, and she is grateful for her double-lung transplant in July 1999. Retired in 2017. Patty enjoys spending winters in Mesa, AZ, designing and making greeting cards for family and friends, staying in touch with her loved ones via Zoom, and writing short stories or poetry.
Board Director
Dan had a bi-lateral lung transplant in April 2024 due to damage caused by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and joined the BNL board in 2025. Dan was in the pharmaceutical industry for the first half of his career. For the second half, he was a franchisee for Jimmy John’s prior to retirement in 2023. He is grateful to be singing in his church choir again, putzing in his shed and garage, plowing snow in his neighborhood, sharing time with friends and family, and dining and traveling with his wife, Lara.
Board Director
Suzanne Brennan joined the Board as a Director in June 2025. Diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2016 while living in Colorado, she returned to Minnesota during the Covid pandemic to be closer to family. She received a double lung transplant in March 2022. Suzanne enjoys reading fiction, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, and following politics.
Board Director
Shannon Mohn joined the Board as a Director in June 2023. After being diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, he underwent a successful double lung transplant in April 2019.
Board Director
Lisa joined the board in June 2021 as a director. She designed the BNL website and is responsible for its ongoing maintenance. Lisa has cystic fibrosis, and her double-lung transplant took place in October 2015. She enjoys volunteering, reading mysteries and historical fiction, participating in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), taking care of her parents, and spending time with her husband, Joe, family and two toy poodles.
