Staff & Board

Executive Team

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  Patricia J. Goldsmith

  Chief Executive Officer

  Patricia J. Goldsmith joined CancerCare in 2014 as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the vision and direction of the organization. Ms. Goldsmith brings more than 20 years of nonprofit management and strategic planning experience to the role, and has a proven track record of success in hospital and physician academic organizations, as well as nongovernmental health care organizations. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Prior to joining NCCN, Ms. Goldsmith was Vice President for Institutional Development, Public Affairs and Marketing at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, the only Florida-based National Cancer Institute-Comprehensive Cancer Center. Most recently, Ms. Goldsmith was named to the 2021 Forbes 50 Over 50 Vision List.

  Ms. Goldsmith has studied at the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Missouri Bloch School of Business and the Harvard School of Public Health.

  See Ms. Goldsmith’s complete biography.

• 

  Christine Verini, RPh

  Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

  Christine Verini is Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at CancerCare. In this role, Ms. Verini serves as a key member of CancerCare’s Executive Leadership Team with a primary focus on expanding existing and future mission-based programs and enhancing and building organizational support and collaborations. Ms. Verini is charged with overseeing daily operations and provides leadership to functional areas, including social services, human resources, finance, business development, information technology, facilities, financial assistance, education and communications. She develops and executes organizational strategies and business plans, evaluates and revise processes and procedures and serves as business partner to the CEO.

  Ms. Verini most recently served as Vice President of Corporate Communications and Advocacy at Eisai. In this position, she oversaw the company’s internal and external communications functions; the strategic direction for corporate and brand media relations; as well as outreach to and relationships with patient advocacy and professional organizations.

  Ms. Verini holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from St. John’s University and is a registered pharmacist by training. She has served on the Board of Directors of CancerCare New Jersey and is Chair of HealthyWomen, an independent health information organization that seeks to educate, inform and empower women to make smart health choices for themselves and their families. Ms. Verini also serves as Co-Chair of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance’s Awareness Task Force and co-lead of their Research Working Group. In 2009, she received The Woman in Industry Award (TWIN) from the YWCA of Bergen County, which honors women who have achieved managerial, executive or professional positions and made noteworthy contributions to their industries. In 2014, Ms. Verini was recognized with an individual achievement award at CancerCare’s 26th Annual Festival of Hope Gala for her “compassion, concern and devotion in helping those living with cancer.” In 2019, Ms. Verini was named as PharmaVOICE Magazine’s 100 Most Inspiring People and in 2022, she was featured in The Cancer Health Magazine’s 25: Quality of Life.

• 

  Kim Czubaruk, JD

  Senior Director, Strategy and Policy

  Kim Czubaruk oversees the direction of our advocacy efforts through strategic initiatives, cultivating alliances within the oncology community and advancing the organization’s national policy agenda to ensure equal access to quality, safe, affordable and comprehensive cancer treatment.

  Kim brings valuable advocacy experience to CancerCare from her previous role as the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy with the Cancer Support Community’s Cancer Policy Institute. As an attorney with a background in civil litigation and disability law, Kim’s focus on health policy and advocacy to improve the lives of patients and their families closely aligns with CancerCare’s continuing mission to advocate for individuals impacted by cancer.

  Prior to joining the Cancer Support Community, Kim served as Policy Manager with the American Academy of Nursing and legal consultant with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. While with the Academy, Kim developed and led multiple national initiatives, built cross-sector collaborative partnerships, and worked with Academy fellows to advance health policy. Through her advocacy on behalf of children and adults with food-induced anaphylaxis, Kim improved the education, prevention, emergency response and legal protections for severely food allergic individuals. Her achievements earned her the Muriel C. Furlong Award for Making a Difference.

  Ms. Czubaruk earned a BA in political science from Union College and a JD from George Washington University Law School.

• 

  Lisa G. Kimbro, MBA, CPA

  Senior Vice President/Chief Business Development and Alliance Officer

  Lisa Kimbro leads expansion of existing relationships as well as development of new relationships with supporters and collaborators of CancerCare’s programs and services for cancer patients and their loved ones. She is charged with development of a number of the organization’s new and high profile initiatives such as its disaster recovery program and Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) program.

  Ms. Kimbro most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), where she was responsible for the organization’s finances, Best Practices program, and Products & Services (managed care) program and integrally involved in its medical education, strategic planning, and governance initiatives. Prior to joining NCCN, Ms. Kimbro was a Senior Manager for Ernst & Young Global in Paris, France. She has also held senior management positions in academic and community physician practices in the United States.

  Ms. Kimbro holds an MBA degree from the University of South Florida’s Executive MBA program, a master’s degree in Central and European Studies from La Salle University, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Florida State University.

• 

  Michele McCourt

  Executive Director of the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation

  Michele McCourt is Executive Director of the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation. In this role, Ms. McCourt has overall operational responsibility for the development of the foundation. With more than 26 years of experience in patient services, she has overseen the implementation of dozens of national patient assistance and premium/co-payment assistance programs, and participated in the development of numerous patient access programs, notably in the Medicare Replacement Drug Program prior to the launch of Medicare’s Prescription Drug Program in 2006. Before joining CancerCare, Ms. McCourt served as Director of Patient Services for the National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD).

• 

  Ellen Miller Sonet, MBA, JD

  Senior Vice President/Chief Strategy and Policy Officer

  Ellen Miller Sonet leads CancerCare’s strategic initiatives and national policy agenda. Before joining CancerCare, she served for nearly 17 years as Vice President of Marketing at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While there, Ms. Sonet was an avid patient advocate who was devoted to understanding the complex nature of health care decision-making and the needs of people affected by cancer. Her work showed an unfaltering focus on clear and relevant communication that facilitated making informed health care choices and supported patients and families through their cancer experiences. Prior to her tenure at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Ms. Sonet worked in pharmaceutical marketing. She started her formal marketing career at J. Walter Thompson Advertising.

  Ms. Sonet has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Brown University, and an MBA and J.D. from Boston University.

• 

  Fernando Moraleda

  Senior Vice President/Chief Information Officer

  Fernando Moraleda is Senior Vice President/Chief Information Officer at CancerCare, responsible for oversight of the organization’s technology operations as well as driving technology-related business strategy. Mr. Moraleda is charged with executing a full assessment of the organization’s databases and systems in order to unify business processes, transactions, patient services and data collection. Prior to joining CancerCare, Mr. Moraleda served as Lead .Net Application Developer with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), overseeing the organization’s information technology systems, web applications, and databases. Previous to this role, Mr. Moraleda served as Senior Software Developer for Publicis Touchpoint Solutions, JPMorgan Chase and Nationwide Insurance.

  Mr. Moraleda holds a law degree from The University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain and a Bachelor in Science in Information Technology from DeVry University.

• 

  Janet Rodriguez, SHRM-CP

  Senior Director of Human Resources, Privacy Officer

  Janet Rodriguez joined CancerCare in 1988. Ms. Rodriguez’ responsibilities include employee labor relations, HRIS, recruitment, staffing, benefits administration, compensation reviews, on-boarding, training and development, policy implementation and employment law compliance. As Privacy Officer, she is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing CancerCare’s HIPAA Policies and Procedures.

  Janet participates in a variety of professional organizations. She is an active member of many prominent HR organizations including the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) both on the national and local level and the Human Resources Professional Association of Nonprofit Organizations (HRPANO).

  Ms. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Lehman College – City University of New York.

• 

  John Rutigliano

  Senior Vice President/Chief Financial and Compliance Officer

  John Rutigliano directs all aspects of CancerCare’s financial functions including operational policies and procedures, budgeting and reporting, grants management, tax compliance and auditing, investments and co-payment assistance financial management. He is also responsible for the oversight of the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation’s compliance program. John works closely with the organization’s Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities functions providing financial oversight and data integration support. Prior to joining CancerCare in 1999, he was Director of Finance and Administration for GMHC, a not-for-profit organization devoted to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Rutigliano started his career at Deloitte.

  Mr. Rutigliano holds a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in accounting and international business from New York University.

• 

  Renee Taylor-Foles, MPA

  Director of Grants Administration

  Renee Taylor-Foles is the Director of Grants Administration at CancerCare. In this role, she leads the Grants Administration team to increase and diversify institutional revenue to support CancerCare’s varied programs and services for people affected by cancer.

  Renee has over 20 years of fundraising experience, with a strong focus on corporate and foundation relations. Most recently, she served as the Organizational Advancement Partner at Urban Bush Women, where she developed institutional fundraising and individual donor strategies, as well as organizational branding strategies to advance the vision and mission of the performing arts organization. Earlier in her career, Renee spent nine years in progressive fundraising roles at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, which included raising funds for the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Renee has also held leadership roles at High Point University, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Salem Academy and College, and Averett University.

  She earned her B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary and her M.P.A. in Nonprofit Organizations from High Point University. A committed volunteer, she was a Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters for ten years, a co-founder of the Fondue Fund women’s giving circle, and a board of directors member of the Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem.

CancerCare Social Service Staff

• Cecilia Acosta, MSW, LSWHealing Hearts Program Coordinator
• Angelique Caba, MSW, LCSW-RAssociate Vice President of Social Work
• Christine Calafiore, MSW, LSWLung Cancer Program Coordinator – New Jersey
• Kristy Case, MSW, LCSW, OSW-COnline Group Moderator
• Melisa Celikoyar, MSW, LCSWLong Island Program Coordinator
• Lauren Chatalian, MSW, LCSWDirector of Advocacy/Women and Children’s Program Manager
• Stacy Chilton, MSW, LCSWOnline Group Moderator
• Shannon Coon, MSW, LMSW, LSWOncology Social Worker
• Lucia Fanjul, MSW, LMSWOncology Social Worker - Bilingual
• Laurie Feingold, MSW, LSWOncology Social Worker
• Charlotte Ference, MSW, LMSWLung Cancer Program Coordinator – New York
• Hayley Feuchs, MSW, LMSWOncology Social Worker
• Marissa Fors, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, C-ASWCM, CCMDirector of Specialized Programs
• Sam Fortune, MSW, LMSWWomen’s Cancers Program Coordinator
• Mildre GonzalezLatino Outreach Worker
• Mary Hanley, MSW, LMSWOnline Support Group Program Coordinator
• Stephen Homsey, MSW, LCSWOnline Group Moderator
• Sara Grisales Jaramillo, LMSW, MSWOncology Social Worker
• Marlee Kiel, MSW, LCSWYoung Adult Program Manager
• Jennifer LaPietra, MSW, LMSWBilingual Oncology Social Worker
• Julia Manna, MSW, LSWOncology Social Worker
• Leeann Medina-Martinez, MSW, LMSWDisparities Program Coordinator
• Nikki Molfetas, MSW, LSWOncology Social Worker
• Ahuva Morris, MSW, LCSWOnline Group Moderator
• Allison Moskowitz Duggan, MSW, LCSWInternship Program Manager/Clinical Supervisor
• Kathleen Nugent, MSW, LCSWSenior Director of Regional Programs
• Rachel Odo, MSW, LCSW-ROnline Group Moderator
• Ariana ParmeseSenior Manager Regional Operations and Compliance Programs
• Sarah Paul, MSW, OSW-C, LCSWDirector of Clinical Programs
• Tonya PottsSenior Program Operations Manager
• Victoria Puzo, MSW, LCSWOnline Support Group Program Director
• Joy Rumack, MSW, LMSWOnline Group Moderator
• Danielle Saff, MSW, LCSWOlder Adult Program Coordinator
• Sandra SanchezDirector of Clinical Operations
• Dina Smith, MSW, LMSWCaregiver Program Coordinator
• Paige Soleimani, MSW, LMSWOncology Social Worker
• Cassie Spector, MSW, LSW, LMSWOncology Social Worker
• Sarah Tennenhaus, MSW, LMSWOncology Social Worker

Principal Communications Staff

• Catherine FavoriteCommunications Manager
• Amanda ShlosbergDirector of Communications
• Eric WojcikEditorial Manager
• Jacqueline Zahora, LCSW-RDirector of Web and Online Resources

Principal Development Staff

• Melanie BeczakManager of Individual Giving
• Rachel CiborowskiAssociate Director of Individual Giving
• Eunice E. HongDirector of Philanthropy
• Erica LebensbergDirector of Special Events
• Brian MorvantPet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program Manager
• Katherine SchwartzAssociate Grants Manager
• Jazmin TiradoSenior Manager of Individual Giving

Principal Education Staff

• Carolyn Messner, DSW, BCD, FAPOS, FAOSWSenior Director of Education and Training
• Lorena Tan WangSenior Education Program Manager
• Dawn ZadorSenior Education Program Manager

Principal Finance and Administration Staff

• Ricardo HernandezController
• Anthony MurphyDirector of Facilities and Mail Operations
• Hector PerezDirector of Information Technology

Principal Financial Assistance Staff

• Vilmarie Rodriguez, MSW, LCSWAssociate Vice President of Patient Assistance Programs
• Bennie Speaks-Tanner, Jr.Associate Director of the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
• Laura TalaveraQuality Assurance Manager of the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation