Brief Bios

Susan Lawrence, M.D., Founder and Executive Director, The Catalyst Foundation

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Susan Lawrence entered Barnard College at the age of 14 to escape a troubled family. She was inspired and mentored by Christiaan Barnard, the South African surgeon who performed the world’s first human heart transplant. Susan entered Baylor College of Medicine at 18. A rotation in medical oncology drew her to work with the terminally ill. She became a board certified internist and medical oncologist and opened her practice of medical oncology in Lancaster, California, in 1985.

When many local doctors declined to treat people living with AIDS, Susan welcomed those patients into her practice. In 1992 she and her husband, Sonny Bartz (who passed on due to AIDS the following year), launched The Catalyst Foundation. Susan closed her private medical practice and became Catalyst’s full time Executive Director; currently, in addition to the Creating a Healing Society program, Catalyst provides free medical care and supportive services to people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C. Susan is grateful to have been able to use the difficulties of her life to be of service to others through the development of The Catalyst Foundation, especially the Creating a Healing Society program.

David Mashore, Creating a Healing Society Program Director, The Catalyst Foundation

David Mashore grew up in the small town of Quartz Hill, California. With very few resources and a challenging upbringing, David has gone on to own and operate a successful worldwide business for over ten years. David’s business training includes Total Quality Management and Team Leadership skills that contribute to his unique personal empowerment leadership style.

David has worked as consultant, teacher and business entrepreneur, and has 21 years’ experience as a martial arts practitioner, attaining the much-coveted Black Belt in the Okinawa-Te martial arts system. He has 18 years’ experience as a martial arts instructor for adults and children, and has developed an innovative training program for young children ages 3 to 6.

David’s background includes growth through a very difficult past, as well as a deep interest in and profound experiences with spirituality. He has been an important mentor for many people, and has a strong desire to make positive change in individuals and society. These are among the many invaluable elements he brings to the Creating a Healing Society program.

Proud husband and father of two girls, and grandfather of three, David and his wife Debi have lived in Lancaster, California for the past 24 years. In January 2005, David closed his business to devote himself full-time to this work, as The Catalyst Foundation’s Director of the Creating a Healing Society Program.