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:
Robin Zon
Robin Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO is the Director of Breast Cancer Oncology at Cincinnati Cancer Advisors and Chair of the Association for Clinical Oncology Board of Directors, following her term as ASCO President in 2024–2025. A community oncologist and former President of Michiana Hematology Oncology, she has connected the practical challenges of cancer care with national policy advocacy. Her leadership has included ASCO’s Government Relations Committee, Clinical Pathways Task Force, and Telemedicine Standards Expert Committee. Recognized with ASCO’s Advocate of the Year and Distinguished Achievement Awards, Zon has worked to strengthen research access, care delivery, and the voice of community oncology.
Crystal Denlinger
Crystal Denlinger, MD, FACP is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), where she leads an organization whose evidence-based guidelines shape cancer treatment worldwide. A gastrointestinal medical oncologist, she previously served as NCCN’s Chief Scientific Officer and chaired its Survivorship Guidelines Panel. At Fox Chase Cancer Center, she served as Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Deputy Director of the Early Drug Development Phase I Program, and Director of the Survivorship Program. Her research has focused on new treatments for gastrointestinal cancers and improving patients’ quality of life during and after treatment. Her commitment also has a personal foundation: her father’s kidney cancer and her mother’s breast cancer shaped her understanding of patients’ and families’ needs.
Gvantsa Khizanishvili
Gvantsa Khizanishvili, MD, MPH is the Global Programme and Partnerships Manager at City Cancer Challenge Foundation, where she leads initiatives across more than 15 countries to strengthen cancer-care systems through locally led solutions. A physician and public-health strategist, she brings together governments, healthcare professionals, patient organizations, and private-sector partners to address gaps in access to diagnosis and treatment. Her work in Georgia has included contributions to policy initiatives expanding access to cancer medicines and research supporting reimbursement of cancer diagnostics. A Muskie Fellow and Chevening Scholar, she combines health-policy expertise with strategic communications to translate evidence and partnerships into practical improvements in cancer care.
Tracy Irura
Tracy Irura, MD, MBA is a Kenyan clinical and radiation oncologist, Head of the CyberKnife Unit at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, and Co-Founder of the Integrated Cancer Research Foundation of Kenya. She helped introduce CyberKnife treatment at the hospital, contributing to the expansion of precision radiotherapy in Kenya. With training in clinical oncology, nuclear medicine, and healthcare management, she combines clinical practice with efforts to strengthen cancer services and mentor healthcare professionals. In 2026, she was recognized among Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Women.
Nazik Hammad
Nazik Hammad, MD, FRCPC, MEHP, FACP, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and a medical oncologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, where her work connects clinical care with global oncology workforce development. She serves as Faculty Lead for the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration and helped lead the first Choosing Wisely Africa initiative, identifying low-value practices that consume scarce cancer-care resources. A commissioner on the Lancet Commission on Women and Cancer, she has also contributed to the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her influence spans oncology education, mentorship, gender equity, and cancer care in conflicted zones.
Donjeta Bali
Donjeta Bali, MD, Ph is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Medicine of Tirana and Head of the Pediatric Onco-Hematology Service at University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa,” Albania’s national reference center for children with cancer and blood disorders. She also serves as Albania’s national representative to the St. Jude Global Alliance and contributes her expertise to Hope 4 Kids Albania. Having worked in the pediatric onco-hematology service since 2001, she combines specialist care with medical education and international collaboration. Her work connects Albania’s childhood cancer services with wider networks supporting clinical expertise, research, and care for children and their families.
Karen Canfell
Karen Canfell, DPhil, AC, FAHMS is the Professor of Public Health and leads the Cancer Elimination Collaboration at the University of Sydney. Her team’s research helped underpin Australia’s 2017 transition to primary HPV-based cervical screening and informed the World Health Organization’s cervical cancer elimination strategy. She also leads the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer, supporting countries in strengthening vaccination, screening, and treatment. Previously the inaugural Director of the Daffodil Centre, Canfell was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2024 for her contributions to cancer research, education, mentorship, and leadership.
Bahija Jallal
Bahija Jallal, PhD is the Chief Executive Officer and a Board Director of Immunocore, where she leads the development of T-cell receptor-based immunotherapies. Under her leadership, the company secured approval of tebentafusp (KIMMTRAK) in 2022, the first approved T-cell receptor therapeutic and the first FDA-approved treatment for unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma. Previously she served as the President at MedImmune and Executive Vice President at AstraZeneca. Her leadership also extends to service as President of the Association for Women in Science and recognition as the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s 2017 Woman of the Year.
Adrienne Waks
Adrienne Waks, MD is a breast medical oncologist and Associate Director of Breast Oncology Clinical Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, an institute with one of the most extensive portfolios of breast cancer trials in the world. Her research focuses on personalizing breast cancer treatment and identifying biomarkers that can determine optimal therapy doses. She is leading the Phase III ShortStop-HER2 trial, testing whether some patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer can safely shorten adjuvant HER2-targeted therapy. Waks received Dana-Farber’s 2025 George P. Canellos, MD Award for Excellence in Clinical Investigation, recognizing her contributions to clinically impactful cancer research.
Stephanie Kauffman
Stephanie Kauffman is Chief Executive Officer of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the world’s largest private nonprofit funder of melanoma research, following her appointment in July 2026. Previously MRA’s President and Chief Operating Officer, she brings experience connecting philanthropy, industry, researchers, and patient communities to support scientific progress. At the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, she led partnership, communications, and digital strategies that helped generate more than $100 million in corporate support for research. Her leadership at MRA leads the way to accelerate discoveries in melanoma, including those that need early philanthropic investment.
The 9th group of 10 women featured in OncoDaily’s 100 Influential Women in Oncology 2026 brought together another group of remarkable women making a difference across the field of oncology. We will continue next week with the next 10 women on the list, sharing more stories of women whose work is making a difference in oncology around the world.
Don’t miss the previous parts of 100 Influential Women in Oncology in 2026: Key Opinion Leaders in Social Media and Beyond.
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