Our Team

Jayne Dearborn

Jayne Dearborn M.P.H., R.D. grew up in Southern California and received her B.S. degree at California State Long Beach in Dietetics in 1982 and her Masters Degree in Public Health at U.C. Berkeley in 1985.  She is a Registered Dietitian and in her previous career worked as a health educator setting up corporate employee health and wellness programs.  After the loss of Max, Jayne began creating handbags as a path to healing.  Her love for art, design and color began to grow and she founded Designs by Jayne in April 2006.  While Jayne loves to design handbags and be creative, something was missing.  In her heart, she knew how important it was to give back to others and pay forward all the wonderful deeds that others had done for them. She founded Max’s Blue Butterfly and the Blue Butterfly Campaign as a way to help other families who are going through the struggles of childhood leukemia.   

Jayne’s vision is to be able to help fund research for childhood AML and for the website to be an umbrella of resources for families and friends and a way for others to be able to help such an important cause.  Over the past five years, Jayne has also volunteered her time at the Dougy Center, a safe place for grieving children and their families, where she co-facilitates a support group for bereaved parents. Jayne is the proud mom of three boys, Mike, Max and Sam.

Craig Weiss

Craig Weiss was born in Burlingame, California and eventually moved to Los Angeles with his family at the age of eight. Craig received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Cal State Northridge in 1987 and soon after began his long career in the Entertainment Industry at CBS in 1988. He began in the art department illustrating cards for The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. In 1993, Craig convinced CBS to get into the business of Visual Effects and Animation.  He created the department with two artists working on the TV show Touched by An Angel. Craig’s vision was realized as he grew the department into thirty artists who he oversees today as the Executive Director of Visual Effects at CBS Digital. Craig is a four time Emmy nominee and winner. He has served as a founding alternate Board Member of the prestigious Visual Effects Society. Craig received a nomination from the Society for his work on the critically acclaimed show Pushing Daisies.  Of all his creative accomplishments, none compare to the most fulfilling relationship and memories he shared of his nephew Max. It is this memory which continues to inspire Craig in his daily life.

Laura Tranquill

Laura Tranquill M.S. spent ten years working at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD in the Neuroimmunology Branch researching T-cell and cytokine profiles in multiple sclerosis patients. She also worked at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Washington,DC as an epilepsy research associate for a drug efficacy multicenter trial. Laura has spent over 20 years interacting with patients, coordinating clinical trials, managing research laboratories, and performing basic research in a hospital setting. Laura received her bachelor of arts degree in anthropology/psychology from the University of Virginia and her Masters of Science degree in molecular biology from George Mason University. Laura also volunteers her time as vice-president of the local school board, team captain for Relay for Life, and various other philanthropic events.

Cindy Aggson

Cindy Aggson M.B.A. is a Chicago-native, currently living in Portland, Oregon.  She has 20 years of experience in marketing and business development working for small start-ups, non-profits and large Fortune 500 companies, and has also launched three of her own successful ventures. Cindy is the managing partner for a boutique strategic marketing firm called the Carpe Viam Group and holds a BS in Business/Marketing from The Ohio State University and a MBA from George Fox University.  Aggson is the co-inventor for a patent for digital asset management and the Founder of Willl Run 4 Food, which helps feed hundreds of families and funds her local food bank.  She also serves on the board for on the board for Helping Hands and Ladies Who Launch.  Carpe Viam, which means Seize the Road  in Latin, is more than her business name, it is her motto.  As a runner, sprint tri-athlete, and mother of three boys, she believes in setting goals and achieving results... one step at a time. 

Chris Dearborn

Chris Dearborn began his corporate career in San Francisco as a technical writer and then an associate product manager for a line of Bank of America’s Cash Management Services software.  Following BofA, Chris and Jayne moved to Southern California where he sold local and wide-area networking equipment for Banyan Systems.  His technical sales training lead him to an opportunity with Microsoft where he stayed for 16 years in both sales contributor and sales management capacities.  Chris joined Designs by Jayne in October, 2008, after retiring from Microsoft, as acting Chief Operating Officer and VP Sales, and he’s teaming with Jayne to take the company national.  Chris earned a B.S. in Journalism (Public Relations Sequence) and a minor in Political Science from Ball State University in 1981.  He’s the proud father of Michael, Max and Sam, and a not-so-proud owner of an 18 handicap.

Steve Dearborn

Steve Dearborn M.B.A began a career in the architectural paint industry in 1977 after completing his undergraduate degree in Finance & Accounting from Bowling Green State University. Starting in the financial controllership program with PPG Industries, he worked in a number of positions and seven different US locations, during which time he earned his MBA from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1985, Steve, his wife, and two boys (then aged 3 and 5) moved to a PPG General Manager assignment in the United Kingdom. In 1987, with a career change into Marketing, Steve accepted an assignment as the European Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning for PPG. In 1990, Steve and his family returned to the US where he worked for PPG until he moved on in 1995 to a VP position with Grow Group, headquartered in NYC. After coordinating the sale of Grow to ICI in 1996, Steve and the family moved to Cleveland, OH where he was VP of Strategic Planning until he left in 2000 to become the President and CEO of Miller Paint, headquartered in Portland, OR, the position he still holds today. It was this last move to Portland that, more importantly, brought Steve directly into Max’s life and into his heart, a position he still holds today.  

Veronica Benjamin

Veronica Benjamin M.P.H., R.D. lives in Petaluma, CA working as a nutrition therapist with a strong commitment and dedication to nutrition and wellness on both a personal and professional level.  Ronnie has worked as a nutrition counselor for over 23 years after receiving a Masters degree from UC Berkeley.  She has taught at the public and private levels encompassing all age groups, specializing in working with people with disordered eating, eating disorders and weight issues.  Ronnie is a dedicated mom, wife and friend.  Ronnie and her family have been close friends of the Dearborn family for over 25 years. 

Diana Marinos Lavery

Diana Marinos Lavery grew up in San Diego, California and has lived in West Linn, OR for the past 10 years.  She is an involved and compassionate wife, mother, and community member. Diana received her business degree from San Diego State University in 1985 with an emphasis in Marketing.  She was employed by Nordstrom from 1985-1999 where she held various positions including Collectors Dept. Manager, Regional Collectors Buyer, and Corporate European designer Buyer.  She was responsible for purchasing American and European designer clothing for the openings of the Chicago and Dallas stores.  She was then promoted to Regional Merchandise Manager for Kidswear and Juniors in San Diego and facilitated planning and oversight of the Scottsdale Store Opening Buy for those departments.  Her hobbies include, gardening, photography and travel.  Diana has also done charity work for the Junior League of San Diego and St. Vincent de Paul Homeless shelter.  She is an active volunteer in her children’s schools where she has been a member of the PTA and chaired local Science Fairs.  Diana and her family are friends, neighbors and travel companions of the Dearborn Family.