National Conference Session Descriptions

Below are session descriptions for the 2026 National Conference on Work & Cancer.

Ask the Experts: The Doctor's Perspective

When you’re balancing work and cancer, your medical team becomes an essential partner in shaping what’s possible. But what should you be asking them? How do treatment plans intersect with job demands? And what options exist to help you keep working—safely and sustainably—if that’s your goal?

In this highly practical session, our panel of oncologists will break down what people need to think when navigating work during or after treatment. They’ll discuss how to talk with your care team about job responsibilities, how to anticipate and manage side effects that can impact performance and if there are treatment, scheduling or other approaches that may offer more flexibility for working professionals.

Connecting The Dots: Navigating Work & Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can raise countless questions about work, and the “right” approach looks different for everyone. This session provides practical, real world guidance to help you navigate your unique situation with clarity and confidence. You’ll learn how to think through decisions about disclosure, communicate effectively with employers and colleagues—including how to use “The Swivel” to stay in control of conversations—and balance treatment demands with workplace responsibilities. The session also explores strategies for managing side effects on the job, understanding your rights and options, and advocating for the support you need. Whether you’re working through treatment, preparing to return, or reassessing what’s sustainable, you’ll gain tools to help you move forward in a way that aligns with your health and your goals.

Ask the Experts: Engaging HR

What does meaningful workplace support look like when you’re navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment or survivorship—and how can you partner with your employer to access it? In this solutions focused conversation, HR leaders from three of the 2026 Best Companies for Working with Cancer open the door to how forward thinking employers are building cultures, policies and practices that truly meet the needs of their workforce.

Representatives from Nestlé, Marriott International and Publicis Groupe will share how their organizations are designing supportive ecosystems—from health and wellbeing programs to flexible work arrangements to manager education—and what you can do to advocate for yourself within any workplace, regardless of size, industry or resources. The panel will also explore what job seekers should look for when evaluating prospective employers and how to spot signals of a genuinely supportive environment.

Navigating a New Chapter: Career Transitions and Cancer

What happens when a life-changing diagnosis and an incredible job offer arrive at the same moment? Don't miss this candid and deeply personal conversation between CAC's Executive Director, Rebecca V. Nellis, and Katie Welch, Head of Brand and Company Communications, US at CHANEL, as Katie shares her experience receiving a cancer diagnosis in the same weeks she accepted a new role. Katie will share the very real and very practical decisions she faced — disclosing her diagnosis to a new employer, navigating a change in doctors and treatment centers mid-care, managing side effects while showing up for a demanding new role, and relocating to New York City while actively in treatment. With more than 20 years of experience building some of beauty's most beloved brands, Katie brings both a professional leader's perspective and a patient's honesty to this wide-ranging conversation.

Connecting the Dots: Looking for Work

Searching for a new role during or after cancer treatment can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and strategies, it becomes achievable. This session offers a practical, confidence building look at how to approach the job search in a way that reflects your strengths. Attendees will learn how to craft a compelling resume that highlights value rather than gaps, sharpen interviewing skills to communicate effectively and authentically and navigate conversations about time away from work. The session also explores how to build and activate a professional network—both online and in person—to uncover opportunities and make meaningful connections. Whether you’re returning to the workforce, shifting careers or exploring what’s next, you’ll leave with actionable guidance to support your search.