The QuadW Foundation (What Would Willie Want) was founded in memory of Willie Tichenor who died in 2006, at 19 years old, of osteosarcoma. Out of pain and loss, Willie’s family and friends established QuadW, redirecting the lens of hope that had focused on curing Willie to finding better treatments and cures for sarcoma, as well as supporting his passions of transformative mission and higher education.
We have concentrated, through our young board of directors, on creating leadership skills in the next generation of philanthropists. This dynamic collection of Willie’s friends provides QuadW with a stream of ideas and new approaches. The QuadW board consists of an oncologist, a minister, artists, actors, musicians, students and philosophers. The composition and nature of the advisory board reflect Willie’s personality – he was a showman and a prankster, a master of both hilarity and sincerity.
Meet Our Board
Bret Alexander graduated from the University of Southern California with BSBA in Management and Organization and a BS in Music Industry. He lives in downtown Los Angeles and works as a Consultant for Cognizant Technology Solutions in their Information, Media and Entertainment practice. Bret enjoys traveling, playing drums and going to the movies.
Charlie Haggard graduated from South Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Television. He lives in Los Angeles, where he works as the Music Librarian for NBC-Universal Television Music Services. When Charlie isn’t working, he enjoys playing music, hanging out with friends and working on Internet videos with his comedy troupe, Chicken Fried Comedy.
Lauren Hayden graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. While pursuing her acting career in New York, Lauren also performs daily as a Research Assistant at MSD Capital. Her interests include cooking, yoga, and pretending that she owns a dog.
Bob Mennel is a medical oncologist practicing at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. His greatest joy in medicine has been teaching, especially the Oncology Fellows, the medicine house staff at Baylor University Medical Center and medical students. His greatest joys in life are his children and grandchildren.
Johnny Peters graduated with a BS and MA in Speech Communication from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a Masters of Divinity from Southern Methodist University. He is the Director of the University of South Alabama Wesley Foundation. Johnny enjoys tinkering, playing, creating, and redeeming. He lives in Mobile, Alabama with his wife, Danielle, and his dog, Bodie.
Lisa Tichenor is a graduate of the University of Texas with a BBA in finance. For over two decades, she was a “stay-at-home mom” to Taylor and Willie. In addition to her work with the QuadW Foundation, Lisa is involved in several ministries of the United Methodist Church, including Africa University, and runs a community garden. She enjoys cycling, reading, snow skiing, hiking, and being with friends.
Mac Tichenor serves as Executive Director of the QuadW Foundation. He is also President of Tichenor Ventures, LLC, which invests in early-stage biotechnology companies. He was previously Chairman and CEO of Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation, later Univision Radio. Mac holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS from the University of Texas at Dallas. He enjoys flying, hiking, bicycling, and snow skiing.
Taylor Tichenor graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a BA in Spanish and a certification from the Christian Leadership Center. He lives in Dallas and works for the United Methodist Reporter. He is interested in photography, science fiction and snow skiing.
Elizabeth Trieu is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she received a BA in Theatre and Dance. She lives in West Hollywood and is involved in various creative projects while chasing her acting dreams. She enjoys dinner parties with friends, singing, hiking, and challenging people to dance-offs.
Ross Vick graduated from the University of Texas with a BA in Philosophy. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Jessica. He, like many, has decided to pursue that slightly-less-than-hopeless dream of being a musician he shares with so many others, past and present. He grew up with Willie and misses him dearly.
Mary Katherine Vigness, a Fort Worth native, graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BA in History/Plan I Honors and Theatre and Dance. She is a law student at Washington and Lee University School of Law. Mary Katherine enjoys writing, spending time outdoors, and anything related to the performing arts.