NCCS Staff
Ellen L. Stovall is a 36-year survivor of three bouts with cancer. She became president and CEO of NCCS, the oldest survivor-led organization advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans, in 1992.
In addition to leading NCCS, Ms. Stovall is also a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies' National Cancer Policy Forum, established in May 2005 to succeed the National Cancer Policy Board (NCPB). The Forum allows government, industry, academic and survivor advocacy representatives to meet and privately discuss public policy issues that arise in the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. More >>
Michael Bergin
Chief Operating Officer
Michael Bergin joined NCCS as chief operating officer in 2005. Prior to joining NCCS he was the chief of staff at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), where he worked closely with the board of directors, executive leadership and staff on implementing the organization's strategic goals and initiatives. More >>
Susan Silver
Senior Director of Communications and Programs
Susan Silver is responsible for NCCS's communication with various constituencies, particularly survivors and their loved ones, and the news media. She currently oversees NCCS's advocacy efforts, online communications, and programs and partnerships in collaboration with other organizations. She joined NCCS in 2005. More >>
Mark Gorman
Director of Survivorship Policy
Woulita Seyoum
Director of Finance
Anne Willis
Director of Survivorship Programs
Anne Willis joined NCCS in 2006 and oversees NCCS's programs, manages the organization's publications and represents NCCS as a member of the Livestrong Young Adult Alliance and the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. Diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma at the age of 15, she recently celebrated 10 years as a cancer survivor. More >>
Dan Waeger
Manager of Development
Dan Waeger works with NCCS's corporate sponsors and organizes events to support NCCS financially. Dan is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2005, at the age of 22, with stage IV lung cancer. He has never smoked and has no history of cancer in his family. He is currently being treated at Johns Hopkins and receives chemotherapy on three-week cycles. More >>
Lisa Auslander
Manager of Development
Lisa Auslander has been with NCCS since February 2006 and has been involved in fundraising efforts, including the organization of biannual Industry Roundtable meetings, the coordination of the annual Rays of Hope Gala, and multiple mailing campaigns. She supports the Development team in addition to maintaining the constituent database. More >>
Melissa Glim
Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator
Melissa joined NCCS in 2008 to lead the organization's grassroots network and campaigns. Prior to coming to NCCS, she worked as a policy associate at Hadassah in New York City, where she wrote the organization's domestic policy papers and curricula, and helped lead their grassroots campaigns, including their effort to pass positive stem cell research legislation in all 50 states. More >>
Jane Koehler
Project Manager
Jane Koehler recently joined NCCS as the Project Manager for a 5-year grant awarded by the CDC. The project focuses on building upon the current Cancer Survival Toolbox® by creating new modules that are focused on hematologic cancers (multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, and bone marrow transplant). The grant also focuses on disseminating the existing and future Toolbox to several underserved populations. More >>
Nina Wendling
Executive Assistant
Odette Williams
Executive Assistant
Henrietta McKie
Administrative Assistant
Exanded Staff Biographies
Ellen Stovall
President & CEO
Ellen L. Stovall is a 36-year survivor of three bouts with cancer. She became president and CEO of NCCS, the oldest survivor-led organization advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans, in 1992.
In addition to leading NCCS, Ms. Stovall is also a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies' National Cancer Policy Forum, established in May 2005 to succeed the National Cancer Policy Board (NCPB). The Forum allows government, industry, academic and survivor advocacy representatives to meet and privately discuss public policy issues that arise in the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Prior to the establishment of the Forum, Stovall was vice-chair of the National Cancer Policy Board Committee on Cancer Survivorship. In that capacity, she co-edited the Institute of Medicine's report "From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition," which addressed the issues adult cancer survivors face.
Ms. Stovall serves as vice-chair of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's National Advisory Committee to Promote Excellence in Care at the End of Life, and as the vice-chair of the Foundation's National Advisory Committee for Pursuing Perfection: Raising the Bar for Health Care Performance.
Ms. Stovall currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and The Leapfrog Group, and she participates on a steering committee of the National Quality Forum (NQF) to establish consensus around cancer care quality measures. She also sits on several advisory panels, working groups and committees of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
In 1997, Ms. Stovall founded and served as president of THE MARCH… Coming Together to Conquer Cancer(SM). Through her leadership, this national public awareness campaign focused both national and regional media attention on the issues of cancer research and quality cancer care for all Americans.
Recognizing a need for the voice of cancer survivors to be heard during the national debate over health care reform, the Cancer Leadership Council (CLC) was convened in 1993 under her direction.
Ms. Stovall also served a six-year term on the National Cancer Institute's National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB), an appointment she received in 1992 from President Bill Clinton.
Today, Ms. Stovall is frequently called upon to work with administration and congressional staff on a variety of cancer-related policy issues, most notably access to quality cancer care.
Michael Bergin
Chief Operating Officer
Michael Bergin joined NCCS as chief operating officer in 2005. Prior to joining NCCS he was the chief of staff at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), where he worked closely with the board of directors, executive leadership and staff on implementing the organization's strategic goals and initiatives.
Before joining ASCO, Michael progressed through several senior positions at Georgetown University Medical Center over a period of 10 years. As associate dean for finance and operations at the Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies, he led a dramatic expansion of the undergraduate and graduate programs and corresponding research enterprises, helped recruit healthcare leaders to the faculty, and contributed to a significant increase in fundraising. During his tenure, the School of Nursing & Health Studies climbed seven spots in the annual U.S. News & World Report nursing school rankings, breaking into the top 30 for the first time in its history and cementing its national reputation.
Michael spent his first five years at Georgetown University Medical Center working in various roles at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington's only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.
Michael received his MBA from American University and graduated cum laude from La Salle University with a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior.
Susan Silver
Senior Director of Communications and Programs
Susan Silver is responsible for NCCS's communication with various constituencies, particularly survivors and their loved ones, and the news media. She currently oversees NCCS's advocacy efforts, online communications, and programs and partnerships in collaboration with other organizations. She joined NCCS in 2005.
Susan began her career as a broadcast journalist in Miami, worked in public relations representing a range of private companies and associations, and has been legislative staff at both the state and federal levels. She was director of communications for VITAS Healthcare Corp., the nation’s largest hospice provider, and executive director of public affairs for the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Mark Gorman
Director of Survivorship Policy
Woulita Seyoum
Director of Finance
Anne Willis
Director of Survivorship Programs
Anne Willis joined NCCS in 2006 and oversees NCCS's programs, manages the organization's publications and represents NCCS as a member of the Livestrong Young Adult Alliance and the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. Diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma at the age of 15, she recently celebrated 10 years as a cancer survivor.
Anne began her career in the cancer community with a Health Communications Internship for graduate students at the National Cancer Institute's Office of Advocacy Relations (formerly Office of Liaison Activities) where she planned, promoted and executed the Institute's first-ever summit for the patient advocacy community.
In 2005, Anne received her MA in communication from Auburn University after graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in radio/tv/film from the University of Texas.
Dan Waeger
Manager of Development
Dan Waeger works with NCCS's corporate sponsors and organizes events to support NCCS financially. Dan is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2005, at the age of 22, with stage IV lung cancer. He has never smoked and has no history of cancer in his family. He is currently being treated at Johns Hopkins and receives chemotherapy on three-week cycles.
Prior to joining NCCS, Dan started his own non-profit organization, the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation, which awards scholarships and offers support to college students diagnosed with cancer. Dan is a member of the Livestrong Young Adult Alliance and his inspirational story has been featured in USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Coping With Cancer magazine, and numerous other publications.
Dan received his MBA in finance from Wagner College, where he was also the assistant men’s and women’s golf coach. He graduated cum laude from McDaniel College with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Lisa Auslander
Manager of Development
Lisa Auslander has been with NCCS since February 2006 and has been involved in fundraising efforts, including the organization of biannual Industry Roundtable meetings, the coordination of the annual Rays of Hope Gala, and multiple mailing campaigns. She supports the Development team in addition to maintaining the constituent database.
Lisa graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and a minor in Philosophy and Ethics.
Melissa Glim
Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator
Melissa joined NCCS in 2008 to lead the organization's grassroots network and campaigns. Prior to coming to NCCS, she worked as a policy associate at Hadassah in New York City, where she wrote the organization's domestic policy papers and curricula, and helped lead their grassroots campaigns, including their effort to pass positive stem cell research legislation in all 50 states.
Melissa started her career as a medical journalist and editor, working for such publications as Diabetes Self-Management and Physician’s Weekly. She has won three National Health Information awards for her articles. She earned her Masters in Public Health from Hunter College of the City University of New York in 2005 and she received her Bachelor’s degree in science journalism and biology from Cornell University.
Jane Koehler
Project Manager
Jane Koehler recently joined NCCS as the Project Manager for a 5-year grant awarded by the CDC. The project focuses on building upon the current Cancer Survival Toolbox® by creating new modules that are focused on hematologic cancers (multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, and bone marrow transplant). The grant also focuses on disseminating the existing and future Toolbox to several underserved populations. Jane previously served as a Grants Director for the Virginia Commonwealth University Center on Health Disparities. Prior to that she worked as a Campaign Director for the Virginia Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and while there, was responsible for an annual, $1.3 million state-wide fundraising program. The fundraising program raised money for cancer research and patient services for those with hematologic cancers.
Ms. Koehler has both domestic and international experience in federal grant and public health program management. For more than 10 years she worked for The Johns Hopkins University, and also received her master's degree from JHU. While working at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs (CCP), she held various positions of progressive responsibility where she worked to develop, manage and monitor reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programs in East and Southern Africa. During her years at CCP, she also coordinated, edited/wrote, and negotiated proposals for new health communication projects. Ms. Koehler is a member of the National Grants Management Association, and will reach a milestone in 2008 as a five-year cancer survivor.
Nina Wendling
Executive Assistant
Odette Williams
Executive Assistant
Henrietta McKie
Administrative Assistant
