Since August 26, 2023, Women’s Equality Day in the United States has marked the beginning of a special OncoDaily tradition – the 100 Influential Women in Oncology. On this day, we launched an initiative to recognize 100 inspiring women making a difference in oncology around the world, highlighting 10 remarkable women each week.
And this year, we’re continuing the journey with our 2026 list of 100 Influential Women in Oncology, showcasing the remarkable efforts made by these inspiring women across the world to improve cancer care.
There are so many incredible women in oncology whose work deserves to be seen and celebrated, and we know that one list can never include everyone. This is an ongoing initiative, and we’d love to hear your suggestions for the 100 Influential Women in Oncology in 2026 list. We’ll be sharing the nomination link soon.
We are proud to introduce the next 10 women featured in our 2026 list of 100 Influential Women in Oncology:
Queen Letizia of Spain
Queen Letizia of Spain is a prominent advocate for cancer research, prevention, and patient-centered care, serving as Honorary President of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and its Scientific Foundation. In September 2026, she joined international oncology leaders at the 10th anniversary of World Cancer Research Day, hosted by EORTC in Brussels, advocating for stronger international research collaboration and greater patient involvement in shaping cancer research. Through her longstanding patronage and public advocacy, she continues to bring national and international attention to cancer prevention, scientific innovation, and the human dimensions of cancer care. Read also.
Tania Small
Tania Small is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she leads global medical strategy across oncology, hematology, and other therapeutic areas. Previously holding leadership positions at GSK, Novartis, and Ipsen, she has championed patient-driven drug development, diversity in clinical trials, and equitable access to innovative treatments. She also serves on the American Cancer Society’s New York City Board of Advisors and hosts DoctoRx Unscripted, a podcast connecting medical innovation with patient experiences. In 2026, she received the American Cancer Society Humanitarian Award.
Cathy Eng
Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO, is a gastrointestinal oncologist and the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, where she serves as Associate Director for Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships and leads its Young Adult Cancers Program. She also serves as Co-Chair of the National Cancer Institute’s Gastrointestinal Steering Committee, helping shape national clinical research priorities. Recognized as a Fellow of ASCO in 2019, Eng combines clinical research, national leadership, and advocacy to advance treatment for gastrointestinal cancers.
Vilma Pacheco-Barcia
Vilma Pacheco-Barcia, MD, PhD, MSc, is a medical oncologist and Head of Medical Oncology at Hospital Universitario La Luz in Madrid, specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. She leads the PANTHEIA-SEOM research project, for which she received a 2024 SEOM Emerging Research Group Grant. Beyond clinical research, she coordinates the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology’s Resilience Working Group, leading initiatives to prevent burnout and improve the well-being of young oncologists, combining scientific innovation with a commitment to building a more sustainable oncology workforce
Carmen Monge-Montero
Carmen Monge-Montero is a global cancer advocate, researcher, storyteller, and Hodgkin lymphoma survivor who leads the OncoDaily Lived Experience Advocacy Hub and works with Youth Cancer Europe. Drawing on her own experience of cancer as a young adult, she founded MANO Beyond Cancer, a storytelling platform connecting survivors across countries and cultures, and created the bilingual Can-Can children’s book series to help families discuss cancer with less fear and stigma. Her research and advocacy address survivorship, mental health, migration, financial discrimination, and the Right to Be Forgotten.
Elizabeth Beringer
Elizabeth Beringer is the President of Real Chemistry Media and founder of Spring & Bond, a healthcare-focused digital media agency acquired by Real Chemistry in 2025. With more than 15 years of experience in advertising technology and pharmaceutical marketing, she leads a team of approximately 450 media specialists, integrating artificial intelligence, data analytics, and omnichannel strategies to transform how healthcare companies engage physicians and patients. Her leadership in healthcare commercialization supports more personalized communication of medical innovations, including emerging cancer treatments.
Biljana Naumovic
Biljana Naumovic is the President of U.S. Solid Tumor Oncology at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, where she leads commercial strategy for the company’s oncology portfolio across prostate, bladder, and lung cancers. A physician by training, she has more than two decades of experience in oncology, previously serving as Worldwide Vice President of Global Commercial Strategy for Oncology and Managing Director of Janssen Australia and New Zealand. Her leadership has focused on bringing innovative cancer therapies into clinical practice, expanding patient access, and addressing disparities in cancer care. She also serves on Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s North America Leadership Team.
Kathy Giusti
Kathy Giusti is a cancer research advocate, healthcare entrepreneur, and founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), which she established with her twin sister in 1998 following her own multiple myeloma diagnosis. Under her leadership, the MMRF raised more than $500 million, pioneered collaborative clinical research and precision medicine initiatives, and helped accelerate the development of more than 15 myeloma therapies. A former co-chair of Harvard Business School’s Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator and an advisor to the Biden Cancer Moonshot, Giusti has been named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.
Malgorzata Dutkiewicz
Małgorzata Dutkiewicz, MA, is President of Poland’s Herosi Foundation, where she works to improve treatment access and practical support for children with cancer, particularly those with solid tumors and musculoskeletal malignancies. Her leadership gained international significance following the invasion of Ukraine, when she became one of the central figures in the SAFER Ukraine initiative, helping establish a coordinated pathway to evacuate children with cancer and blood disorders, provide medical triage in Poland, and transfer patients to appropriate treatment centers across Europe and beyond.
She has also contributed to research documenting the impact of these evacuations on pediatric oncology services. By turning a charitable foundation into a critical link within an international emergency-response network, Dutkiewicz has shown how patient advocacy can become life-saving healthcare infrastructure.
Małgorzata Dutkiewicz is a Polish childhood cancer advocate and President of the Herosi Foundation, which supports children with cancer by funding advanced medical equipment, innovative treatments, and improvements in pediatric oncology care. Under her leadership, the foundation has strengthened international collaboration through the St. Jude Global Alliance, where she serves on the EURO Regional Advisory Committee. She advocates for equitable access to clinical trials, specialized cancer centers, and personalized treatment for children worldwide. Her contributions were recognized with the 2022 Gold Badge of the Polish Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology.
Diane Gashumba
Diane Gashumba is a Rwandan pediatrician, former Minister of Health (2016–2020), and current Ambassador of Rwanda to Sweden and the Nordic countries. During her ministerial tenure, she championed cancer prevention and early detection and supported Rwanda’s participation in City Cancer Challenge, which helped strengthen cancer-care infrastructure, professional training, and access to treatment in Kigali. Her ministry also advanced the development of Rwanda’s National Cancer Control Plan 2019–2024 and a national cancer registry. She continues to promote international health cooperation, including Africa–Nordic partnerships focused on healthcare and gender equity.
Watch on OncoDaily TV: “Experts by Experience” podcast Hosted by cancer survivor and patient advocate Carmen Monge.
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