REBECCA V. NELLIS, MPP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Email: rnellis@cew.org

Rebecca V. Nellis is the Executive Director of Cancer and Careers. Since 2004 she has helped evolve the organization from early concept to national prominence. Rebecca oversees CAC’s programming and fundraising strategies to ensure long-term growth and sustainability. Under her leadership, the organization’s services transform the everyday lives of survivors, while promoting lasting, systemic change for tomorrow’s workplace.

As an expert on cancer-workplace issues, she travels the country presenting at national conferences, leading hospitals and community events about the intersection of life, work and cancer. She has been an invited speaker for the American Public Health Association, the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the National Business Group on Health and this year’s South by Southwest Conference, among others.

Over the years, Rebecca has launched many of CAC’s breakthrough initiatives, such as the National and Regional Conferences on Work & Cancer, accredited trainings for healthcare professionals and library of Spanish-language resources. As an active member of the cancer community, she has served on numerous committees and working groups, including for Workplace Transitions for People Touched by Cancer and “Women at Work: Multi-Ethnic Comparison of Cancer Survivors with Low-Status Jobs,” at the University of South Florida.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University and a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University. Her graduate thesis was entitled “Implications of Cancer Survivorship on Financial Assets, Work Productivity and Employment Circumstances.”

MICHAEL CORRENTE, MPA, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Email: mcorrente@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8048

Michael Corrente serves as the Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Cancer and Careers, bringing more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and communications to the role. He oversees the strategy and expansion efforts of the development department, fostering relationships with donors, sponsors and organizations to support the life-changing work of Cancer and Careers.

Prior to joining CAC, Michael oversaw all fundraising and communications for Community Research Initiative, a nearly 30-year-old HIV research organization in Boston. Before that, he served as Director of Institutional Partnerships at the Ms. Foundation for Women, where he oversaw all corporate and foundation funding as well as special events. He has also held leadership positions at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, New York University and the City University of New York.

Michael holds a BFA in communications from Long Island University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College.

RACHEL BECKER, LMSW, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Email: rbecker@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8031

As Director of Programs, Rachel’s responsibilities include oversight of Cancer and Careers’ 15 accredited webinars. She also provides direct support and referrals to CAC’s diverse audiences; co-manages the travel scholarship program for the National Conference on Work & Cancer; and works to ensure all programs meet the continuing education accreditation standards of various state and national accrediting bodies. Additionally, Rachel regularly presents on topics related to cancer and work at community-based events and cancer conferences around the country.

Before joining Cancer and Careers, Rachel was Head of Client Services at CarePlanners (cofounded by Dr. Nancy Snyderman), where she designed and implemented a technology-based infrastructure for delivering and monitoring support services. Prior to that, she completed a fellowship in psycho oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and worked in a clinical capacity at the Jewish Child Care Association and New York Methodist Hospital.

Rachel holds a BA from Rutgers University and graduated summa cum laude with an MSW from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work. She is a member of NASW, AOSW, and a proud recipient of the Zelda Foster Fellowship in Palliative and End-of-Life Care.

LETICIA M. BENNETT, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Email: lbennett@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8044

Leticia Bennett is Cancer and Careers’ Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. In this role, she supports the organization’s mission by introducing new supporters to the critical programs and services CAC offers, as well as ensures that our longtime champions continue to feel engaged and aligned with the organization they helped build.

Leticia has an extensive background in corporate development and marketing that spans more than 15 years in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She began her career supporting the education and arts program team at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national headquarters, in Atlanta. This led to leadership positions with New York’s flagship public television station, WNET/Thirteen; NBC News (Education Nation); and, most recently, American Red Cross of Greater New York Region. Leticia implemented national and local corporate sponsorships for these organizations, secured major gifts, oversaw marketing efforts, and, while at the Red Cross, co-developed an employee-led diversity program to promote cultural competency and inclusion.

A native of Brooklyn, Leticia graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism — with a concentration in public relations — and political science.

CHRISTINE Q. BRENNAN, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Email: cbrennan@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8030

As Director of Programs, Chrissy oversees Cancer and Careers’ annual National and West Coast Conferences on Work & Cancer as well as the organization’s website, bringing to the role two decades of experience in communications, public relations, marketing and event management. She also presents CAC’s employer-focused content at related local, regional and national events.

After spending 14 years in digital and print media focusing on women’s health and fitness, including staff roles at Health and Self magazines and at Lifetime Television’s website, Chrissy joined the Peace Corps in 2003, serving as a Health Education Resource Volunteer in Kenya. Upon her return from Africa she consulted for the National Geographic Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society and in 2006 joined the staff of Selldorf Architects as Marketing Director. In 2010, Chrissy became Account Manager at the boutique PR/marketing firm Maloney & Fox, part of Waggener Edstrom Communications, where she worked on the corporate citizenship campaign for a global real estate client. Prior to arriving at Cancer and Careers, Chrissy managed the 25th anniversary awards competition and gala for the non-profit Greeting Card Association in 2013, including a corresponding exhibit at the Javits Center.

NICOLE JARVIS, LMSW, SENIOR MANAGER OF PROGRAMS

Email: njarvis@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8043

Nicole Jarvis joined the team in October of 2015 as Manager of Programs. Now, as Senior Manager, she oversees the website Newsfeed, Blog and Professional Development Micro-Grants program as well as coordinating all 15 annual Cancer and Careers webinars. In addition, Nicole provides direct support and referrals to the many patients, survivors and healthcare professionals who reach out to the organization, as well as assists with the regional and national conferences.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on women’s health. While in Madison, she was actively involved with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, pursuing work on legislative issues related to access to reproductive healthcare. Following graduation, she worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering for four years in the chemotherapy unit and for a renal oncologist, until attaining her Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College, in 2013. Nicole worked as a social worker in the child welfare arena, advocating for parents in family court, prior to joining Cancer and Careers.

NICOLE J. FRANKLIN, MPH, MANAGER OF PROGRAMS

Email: nfranklin@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8023

Nicole Franklin is Manager of Programs at Cancer and Careers. In this role, she manages CAC’s Underserved Regions Initiative, which delivers in-service trainings and patient seminars to remote and underserved areas in the U.S. Additionally, she oversees Cancer and Careers’ online career coaching services, the expansion of awareness and outreach efforts through CAC’s social media platforms and public relations channels, and the production of the bi-monthly newsletter.

Prior to joining the CAC team, Nicole was Program Support Officer at Concern Worldwide Uganda, where she helped to develop and implement programmatic health and development activities. Before that, she worked at CMMB, an international NGO, as a key member of its programs team in Zambia and as Manager of its Global Volunteer Program in New York. Additionally, she has held various administrative, operational and programmatic roles in the nonprofit sector.

Nicole has a BA in African American studies from Oberlin College and a Master of Public Health degree, with a concentration in international health and development, from Tulane University.

MADELINE MEISLIN, MPA, MANAGER OF PROGRAMS

Email: mmeislin@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8041

Maddy Meislin is Manager of Programs at Cancer and Careers. In her role, she manages the In-Service Training Program for Healthcare Professionals and the Job Search Intensive program; she also helps manage the National Conference scholarship program. In addition, Maddy supports the execution of all of CAC’s conferences, represents the organization at trade shows and manages the program’s community partnerships. Prior to Cancer and Careers, Maddy worked in community educational programming at Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York City, and has prior internship experience working with cancer survivors at nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.

Maddy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University and received her Master’s of Public Administration degree from Baruch College.

SISSY SILVA, MA, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Email: ssilva@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8040

As Program Coordinator, Sissy Silva supports all of Cancer and Careers’ programs, including assisting with the National and Regional Conferences and related scholarship programs, managing the Resume Review Service, and coordinating the preparation and logistics for various events. Fluent in Spanish, she also oversees CAC’s library of English and Spanish publications.

Sissy received her BA in psychology from Rutgers University in 2014 and went on to work in the field of mental health research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, before pursuing her MA in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from Universitat Jaume I, in Spain, in 2017. As a master’s candidate, she interned at Safe Passage Project and became actively involved in the labor movement, working for the American Federation of Teachers, in Washington D.C.

NIKKI ZELIN, DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Email: nzelin@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8021

Nikki Zelin is the Development Coordinator at Cancer and Careers. In her role, she coordinates the administrative and logistical activities for the Beauty of Giving Luncheon, Board meetings and other fundraising/special events. She also manages Cancer and Careers’ Young Professional Committee and its associated fundraising activities.

Nikki has a background working in the nonprofit sector. Before joining the CAC team, she worked as the Coordinator for the American Thoracic Society Foundation, where she provided administrative support for all the foundation’s work, assisted with event logistics and worked closely with the Director of Development in major gifts and donor-related projects. Nikki also worked at UJA-Federation of New York, in the Missions Department, where she planned and executed trips for donors of many different giving levels from industries such as finance, real estate and healthcare. Nikki also had an internship with the Upstate Medical Foundation, where she assisted the Director of Development and Community Relations with several fundraising campaigns.

Aside from Nikki’s work experience, she became heavily involved with the cancer community by fundraising for two of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s events: Cycle for Survival and Kids Walk.

Nikki graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in child and family studies, with a concentration on child life, from Syracuse University.

ALICIA CHIN, COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

Email: achin@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8049

Alicia has served as a consultant for Cancer and Careers for more than 10 years. Her deliverables range from speechwriting and communications planning to providing special-event and fundraising bandwidth. Her recent projects include “QVC and CEW Present Beauty with Benefits” — a landmark charity broadcast now in its sixth year — and the Beauty of Giving Luncheon and Live Auction.

Alicia has also consulted for CEW Inc., promoting the annual Beauty Awards and its sponsors. Other long-term clients include a Mandarin and Spanish immersion private school with campuses in Manhattan and New Jersey.

Alicia originally joined Cancer and Careers as Associate Director in 2002, before leaving New York City. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.