Our Founder

Doreen Puglisi, M.S. is a former college professor and renowned international presenter. With a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, 24 years as a business owner, academic educator, and Pilates instructor, she provides a unique perspective on both theory and practice. Doreen transformed her professional—then personal—experience with cancer into a successful therapeutic exercise program for breast cancer survivors.

The Pink Ribbon Program originated when Doreen began working with breast cancer survivors as an exercise physiologist and Pilates instructor. This recovery program was well underway when Doreen faced her own cancer diagnosis. She applied the Pink Ribbon protocol to her own recovery. Today the Pink Ribbon Program is a gentle, staged process that begins when the survivor is either six weeks post-operative or has received surgeon’s approval to begin therapeutic exercise.

“Cancer is hard. It beats you up. And I’m convinced that every woman who had surgery for breast cancer needs a post-operative rehabilitation plan. That’s why I founded The Pink Ribbon Program.”

Some of Doreen’s accomplishments: 2004 founded The Pink Ribbon Program; 2007 invited to speak at Memorial Regional Cancer Center, IN; 2008 invited to Australia to conducted a National Breast Cancer awareness campaign; 2010 presented at Balanced Body, Pilates on Tour conference, presented at Nike World Headquarters, guest speaker for Sirius Radio’s Doctor Radio talk show, guest speaker at Oregon Health and Science University Breast Health Task Force; 2012 Global launch of Pink Ribbon Program (Italy, Spain, U.K.,).