Speak UP for Lupus

Awareness advocate and activist committed to promoting Lupus awareness and education.

A former Human Resources executive in the telecom industry, Rhonda has over 25 years in the corporate sector. She holds a degree in speech communications from Metropolitan State University in Denver. Her first love has always been the performing arts. She is an avid public speaker, actress for both the stage and film and playwright.

Rhonda was diagnosed with Lupus in 1994 at the age of 37. But she refused to let Lupus ruin her life.

Through her advocacy and activist efforts she is determined to give Lupus a voice. She does so by educating and enlightening the public on Lupus symptoms, diagnosis and sharing updates on the latest research projects, trials and results and promoting community engagement.

In the spring of 2017, Rhonda took a creative approach to delivering the message about the unpredictable, debilitating and often the life threatening affects that Lupus may have on a person’s daily life, their family and the their socioeconomic status. She penned and produced a play, Crying Wolf…. stories of the Lupus Warriors. The play presents actors performing a series of monologues depicting patients suffering from Lupus symptoms; both physically and mentally. The play documents Rhonda’s personal journey with Lupus; but the stories told are also familiar to all patients living and suffering from Lupus.

Rhonda enjoys a collaborative partnership with Lupus Colorado; a non-profit organization that serves those living with Lupus exclusively in Colorado. Her involvement includes being an active board member.