Starting on August 26, 2023, in honor of Women’s Equality Day in the United States, which commemorates the 1920 law granting women the right to vote, OncoDaily launched an initiative to spotlight 100 remarkable female leaders in oncology worldwide. Each week, 10 inspiring women were introduced, culminating in the full list and an updated edition in 2024.
Continuing this tradition, we are proud to present the 2025 list of 100 Influential Women in Oncology to Follow on Social Media.
While there are countless exceptional women leaders in oncology who deserve recognition, we acknowledge that we couldn’t feature everyone. This initiative is ongoing, and we look forward to your nominations for 2026. We’ll be sharing the submission link soon.
Here is the FINAL LIST of 100 Influential Women in Oncology to follow in 2025:
Jasmine Kamboj is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Mayo Clinic Health System. She serves on the Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology Board and ASCO’s International Affairs Committee. A strong voice for community oncology, she was named ASCO Advocate of the Year (2021) and received the Yvonne Awards Community Oncology Award (2025).
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Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a pediatrician, global cancer advocate, and President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). She is the Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Chair of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), and a member of OncoDaily’s Editorial Board. Her initiatives focus on women’s health, cancer prevention, and gender equity in Africa.
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Erika Ruiz-Garcia is Professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Chief of the Translational Medicine Laboratory at Mexico’s National Cancer Institute. She serves on ESMO’s Membership Committee and will serve as ASCO Education Program President-Elect (2025–2026). Her work bridges translational research and global education in GI oncology.
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Mila Ogalla Toledo is a colorectal cancer survivor and patient advocate. She serves on the Board of Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), where she leads the Patient Advisory Committee. Mila works across Europe to promote equity and inclusion in cancer care and collaborates with Youth Cancer Europe and OncoDaily to amplify survivor voices.
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Diane Reidy-Lagunes is Chief of Medical Oncology at Duke University and Associate Vice President for Oncology Services at Duke Health. Formerly at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she created the award-winning Cancer Straight Talk podcast. A leader in neuroendocrine tumor research, she serves on the NCI and NCCN panels.
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Kirsty Duncan is a Canadian medical geographer, academic, and former Member of Parliament. She served as Minister of Science, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, and chaired the House of Commons Committee on Science and Research. A cancer survivor, she continues to advocate for research and women’s health.
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Susanna F. Greer is Chief Scientific Officer at the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Formerly a Senior Scientific Director at the American Cancer Society, she led the Biochemistry and Immunology of Cancer Research Program. A former professor at Georgia State University, she is an influential voice in cancer science and advocacy.
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Samia Al-Amoudi is a Saudi obstetrician-gynecologist, breast cancer survivor, and pioneer in women’s health advocacy. She founded and directs the Sheikh Mohammed Hussien Al-Amoudi Center of Excellence in Breast Cancer and leads health empowerment initiatives at King Abdulaziz University. Her work has inspired women’s health reforms across the Middle East.
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Katie Coleman is a stage IV cancer survivor and founder of OncoLogic Solutions. She leads the Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance (COA) and consults for the Rare Cancer Research Foundation. Through her memoir Too Young for Cancer, she advocates for rare cancer awareness and patient empowerment worldwide.
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Deanna van Gestel is the Founder and CEO of Women Leaders in Oncology and Vaniam Group. With three decades of experience in the oncology industry, she serves on the ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation Board and Women Who Conquer Cancer Committee, advancing mentorship and leadership for women in oncology.
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Helena Mas Santuré is the Minister of Health of Andorra and a former Secretary of State for Health. A psychologist by training, she led national health coordination during the COVID-19 pandemic and now prioritizes oncology and mental health at the national level. She established Andorra’s first breast cancer unit, launched the National Oncology Plan, and expanded access to cancer prevention and treatment services.
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Alejandra Gere is a philanthropist, publicist, and co-founder of the Beautiful Life Fund, supporting refugee children, homeless youth, and victims of war. She has partnered with major humanitarian organizations, including the Real Madrid Foundation and RAIS. In 2025, she and her husband Richard Gere delivered a message for the Second Global OncoThon, supporting OncoDaily’s global campaign to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer.
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Debra Patt is the Executive Vice President of Texas Oncology and a national leader in breast cancer care, AI integration, and digital oncology. She serves as President of the Community Oncology Alliance, chairs ASCO’s AI Task Force, and sits on the ASCO Board of Directors. Board-certified in medical oncology and clinical informatics, she has led numerous clinical trials and advances innovation in community-based cancer care.
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Miriam Mutebi is a breast surgical oncologist at Aga Khan University Hospital and President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). She is a former president of KESHO, serves on the UICC Board, and co-founded the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons. Dr. Mutebi has received the 2024 ASCO Humanitarian Award and the 2023 Global Health Catalyst Leadership Award.
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Barbara Jereczek-Fossa is Head of Radiation Oncology at the European Institute of Oncology IRCCS (IEO) and Full Professor at the University of Milan. A leading authority in radiotherapy, AI, and radiomics, she was elected President-Elect of ESTRO and will assume the presidency in 2026. She is active in major European oncology education initiatives and contributes to global radiotherapy guidelines and masterclasses.
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Françoise Meunier is the former Director General of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and member of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine, she was named Baroness in 2007. She founded and leads the European Right to Be Forgotten initiative, shaping policy to end financial discrimination against cancer survivors.
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Shushan Hovsepyan is a pediatric oncologist and Co-Chair of the SIOP Global Health Research & Innovation Working Group. She is Senior Vice President of OncoDaily, Editor-in-Chief of the OncoDaily Medical Journal. She received the Global Women in Healthcare Rising Star Award and the 2025 SIOP Rising Star Award for her contributions to pediatric oncology.
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Jennifer Plichta is the E. Fulton Brylawski Associate Professor in Women’s Health at Duke University and Director of the Breast Risk Assessment Clinic at the Duke Cancer Institute. Her clinical and research work focuses on hereditary breast cancer risk and personalized prevention. She created Duke’s annual “What’s Best for Breasts?” program and received the Association of Women Surgeons’ Kim Ephgrave Visiting Professor Award.
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Manette Le Grange is Corporate Social Responsibility Project Lead for Servier’s ICONIC initiative and serves on the OncoDaily Editorial Board. She leads the ACT for Children program – a global partnership with WHO, SIOP, and St. Jude to improve access to essential childhood cancer medicines in low- and middle-income countries. Her work advances global health equity, pediatric oncology policy, and essential medicines advocacy.
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Mandy Davis Aitken is the Vice President of Meetings Services at ASCO and a driving force behind the Society’s global educational events. She directed the ASCO Annual Meeting for over a decade and now oversees ASCO’s entire portfolio of meetings, integrating innovation and best practices to enhance oncology education worldwide.
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Bianca Balti is an Italian supermodel and longtime Dolce & Gabbana ambassador. After learning she carried the BRCA1 mutation, she underwent a preventive double mastectomy (2022) and was later diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer (2024). She now uses her global platform to advocate for cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection. She made headlines at the 2025 Sanremo Festival by appearing without a wig and supports international research on DNA-based early detection for ovarian cancer.
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Ulrika Årehed Kågström is President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society. Formerly Secretary-General of the Swedish Red Cross, she also chairs the Swedish Arts Council. Within UICC, she has served as Treasurer and held key roles across governance, strategy, finance, and global advocacy initiatives.
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Rana McKay is Associate Professor of Medicine and Urology at UC San Diego and Co-Leader of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at Moores Cancer Center. A specialist in prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancers, she leads precision-medicine research and a multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic. She has received major honors including the 2024 Rising Star Award and Woman Oncologist of the Year and serves on NCCN and NCI leadership panels.
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Gretchen Vaughan is President and CEO of the Kidney Cancer Association. Since 2018, she has expanded its global impact in research, advocacy, and patient support. She previously held senior leadership roles at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She led the creation of the KCA Data Federation, a major initiative to advance clinical data sharing and equity in kidney cancer care.
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Rasha Aboelhassan is a Senior Oncology Consultant at the Nasser Institute in Cairo, specializing in adult solid tumors. She contributes to major regional research efforts, including studies in stage III NSCLC and triple-negative breast cancer. A strong advocate for patients in low-resource settings, she raises awareness of gaps in access and cancer care across the Middle East.
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Catharine Young is a biomedical scientist and global health policy leader. She has served at the Biden Cancer Initiative, the British Embassy in Washington, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, with earlier work in biosecurity at the U.S. Department of Defense. She founded The Global Collective in 2025 to advance collaborative solutions in global health and is a recipient of the Yvonne Award for Global Impact in Oncology.
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Katherine Van Loon is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at UCSF and Director of the Global Cancer Program. A gastrointestinal oncologist, she leads research on GI cancer epidemiology and develops global cancer training programs, including partnerships in Tanzania. She serves in leadership roles with AORTIC and the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium and is Editor-in-Chief of JCO Global Oncology (2025).
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Breelyn Wilky is Director of Sarcoma Medical Oncology and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado. She leads translational research and clinical trials in soft tissue and bone sarcomas, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy studies. She serves on the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s Medical Advisory Board and is known for advancing personalized treatment approaches in rare sarcomas.
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Shikha Jain is Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois Cancer Center and Director of Communication Strategies in Medicine. A GI oncologist, she specializes in colorectal cancer, NETs, and HCC while leading digital innovation in oncology communication. She is the founder of Women in Medicine, including the annual WIM Summit and the IMPACT advocacy initiative.
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Alejandra Mendez is Vice President of Childhood Cancer International and a board member of Fundación Nuestros Hijos in Chile. Guided by her experience as a mother of a childhood cancer survivor, she works to strengthen patient and family support worldwide. She co-chairs the SIOP Global Health Network’s engagement group and advises the My Child Matters Program to improve pediatric cancer care in low-resource settings.
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Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan is a global advocate for cancer control and NCDs and the mother of a cancer survivor. She is Patron of SIOP, Honorary President of the EORTC Research Fund, and Honorary Ambassador of the Harvard Win-Win Initiative. A past President of UICC and former Director-General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, she continues to shape global cancer policy and has supported major OncoDaily initiatives including the Global Summit on War and Cancer, OncoThon, and the Global Cancer Movement.
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Rachna T. Shroff is Associate Director of Clinical Investigations and Chief of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. A Professor with tenure, she also serves as Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research. She co-chairs the SWOG Hepatobiliary Subcommittee, chaired the 2024 ASCO GI Symposium, and serves on the ASCO Nominating Committee and the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Advisory Board.
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Narjust Florez is Associate Medical Director of the Cancer Care Access Program and a thoracic oncologist at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center. She specializes in targeted therapies for lung cancer and leads the largest study on sexual health in women with lung cancer. Founder of the Florez Lab, she is a national leader in cancer disparities, gender equity, and mentorship of underrepresented trainees.
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Lacy Hubbard is the Founding President and CEO of the Elekta Foundation, a nonprofit improving access to cancer care in low-income countries through radiotherapy capacity-building. With extensive global experience in radiation oncology, she leads initiatives such as Rwanda’s “One Egg A Day” program, supporting women undergoing breast and cervical cancer screening.
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Idalid “Ivy” Franco is a Radiation Oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the inaugural Director of Equity, Access, and Inclusion for her department. She specializes in gynecologic cancers and brachytherapy. Her research focuses on vulnerable populations and social determinants of health, and she leads national efforts to reduce disparities in cancer care.
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Misty Dawn Shields is an Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and a thoracic oncologist at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. She leads The Shields Lab, advancing translational research and clinical trials in small cell lung cancer. She founded Small Cell SMASHERS with the LUNGevity Foundation and has been recognized with the 2025 Conquer Cancer CDA and the Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award.
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Joyce Balagadde Kambugu is Head of Pediatric Oncology at the Uganda Cancer Institute, where she established Uganda’s first dedicated pediatric oncology unit and fellowship program. She leads national efforts to expand childhood cancer services and strengthen cancer control planning. She serves as SIOP Continental President for Africa and contributes to global networks focused on essential medicines and pediatric cancer outcomes.
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Shweta Bansal is Head of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. Trained at Tata Memorial, St. Jude, and NUH Singapore, she helped establish bone marrow transplant programs at Reliance Hospital and LTMGH. She is former Treasurer of the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Society of India and serves on the Indian Council of Medical Research Ethics Committee.
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Isabelle Villadary leads the Childhood Cancer Program at Foundation S – The Sanofi Collective, working to ensure equitable survival for children with cancer worldwide. She drives partnerships across health systems and NGOs to strengthen early diagnosis, survivor support, and holistic care. She plays a key role in programs like My Child Matters and regional networks such as Faros De Vida across Latin America.
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Triparna Sen is a Professor of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University and Director of the Lung Cancer Preclinical Therapeutics Platform at the OSUCCC – James. She also serves on the IASLC Board of Directors. A dedicated mentor and advocate for patient-centered research, she is a recipient of the AAAS Wachtel Cancer Research Award and the “40 Under 40 in Cancer” Emerging Leaders Award.
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Yelena Janjigian is Professor and Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. A world leader in upper GI cancers, she has shaped global standards of care and holds a faculty appointment at Weill Cornell. She serves on the International Gastric Cancer Association Council, chairs the Giants of Cancer Care Steering Committee, and is a Board Member of OncoDaily.
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Sharlene Gill is Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a GI medical oncologist at BC Cancer. She has led national committees including the CCTG GI Disease Site Committee and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Current Oncology. President of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists, she is known for advancing patient empowerment, including her TEDx talk “How to Flip the Script on Cancer.”
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Amy K. Patel is a breast radiologist and Medical Director of the Liberty Hospital Breast Care Center. She chairs the ACR Radiology Advocacy Network and RADPAC, leading national radiology advocacy efforts. She is Associate Professor at UMKC, Associate Editor of Digital Media for JACR, President of the Missouri Radiological Society, and a past President of AAWR, championing equitable access to breast imaging.
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Dean Crowe is Founder and CEO of the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, a national nonprofit she launched in 2005 to accelerate pediatric cancer research and advocacy. Rally has partnered widely across the U.S., including supporting OncoDaily’s Global OncoThons, and her leadership was recognized with the 2024 Social Impact Award from the Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta.
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Romana Jerković is a Croatian medical doctor and Member of the European Parliament, serving as Vice-Chair of the Public Health Committee and Chair of MEPs Against Cancer. She leads parliamentary efforts to reduce cancer disparities, strengthen Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and improve access to screening, prevention, and cancer-related rights across the EU.
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Julie Gralow is Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of ASCO. She previously served as Professor of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Washington and Director of Breast Oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. A global leader in breast cancer advocacy, she co-founded the WE CAN network and Team Survivor Northwest and is a recipient of the ASCO Humanitarian Award.
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Tania Small is Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs for Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb. She serves on advisory bodies for the American Cancer Society, ASCO, and ACMA, and is Founder and CEO of Beacon Medical Pathway. A pediatric hematologist-oncologist by training, she previously held leadership roles at Novartis and Ipsen and is a strong advocate for equity and diversity in clinical research.
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Lillian Siu is Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and a senior medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She directs the Phase I Program and holds the BMO Chair in Precision Genomics. President-Elect of AACR (2025–2026), she is internationally recognized for leadership in early drug development and immunotherapy, earning major honors including the 2024 Karnofsky Award.
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Bente Mikkelsen is a global health leader and former Director of NCDs at WHO Headquarters. She previously led WHO Europe’s NCD Division and the Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs, and in 2025 became Director of Global Engagement Strategies at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A gynecologist by training, she focuses on innovation, implementation science, and multisectoral action to reduce global NCD mortality.
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Christina Jewett is an investigative journalist at The New York Times, where she covers the U.S. FDA with a focus on drug safety, oncology access, and systemic gaps affecting patients. Her reporting has earned major honors including the George Polk Award, the James Batten Medal, and the Barlett & Steele Gold Award.
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Her Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan is Chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center. Under her leadership, KHCF/KHCC achieved international accreditation and launched transformative cancer programs. She founded the King Hussein Award for Cancer Research and has represented Jordan at UN High-Level Meetings on NCDs. Her humanitarian leadership has been recognized with honors including Jordan’s Medal of Independence (First Order).
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Lise Alter is Director General of the French Health Innovation Agency (AIS), where she leads national strategy for biomedical and digital health innovation under France 2030. A public health physician and former Director of Evaluation at the French National Authority for Health, with her prior roles at the Ministry of Health and Eli Lilly France, she has built a distinguished career advancing evidence-based policy and oncology innovation.
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Sara Tolaney is Chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She serves as Vice Chair for Late-Stage Development in Breast Cancer for the Alliance and is a member of the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee. A global leader in breast oncology, she has received numerous honors for advancing research, clinical care, and education.
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Jennifer Buell is President and CEO of MiNK Therapeutics and serves on the Executive Council and Board of Directors at Agenus. She previously held senior leadership roles at Agenus, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and the Harvard Clinical Research Institute. With more than 25 years in biopharma, she has led the development of novel immunotherapies from early discovery to commercialization.
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Erika Hamilton is Chair of the Executive Committee for Breast Cancer and Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. She serves on ASCO’s Cancer Research Committee and is the 2023–2025 Scientific Committee Co-Chair of the ESMO Breast Cancer Meeting. She is an Associate Editor for Clinical Breast Cancer and has been selected for the ASCO’s Leadership Development Program.
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Agnes Lteif is Senior Vice President and Head of Medical Affairs and Regulatory for North America at Ipsen, overseeing strategy across oncology and rare diseases. She brings extensive leadership in U.S. and global medical affairs. Previously Vice President and Head of Solid Tumors at Novartis U.S., she led the launch of Kisqali in early breast cancer and strengthened its position in advanced disease.
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Sophie Blake is a former television presenter and an advocate living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. She is the co-founder of Brighton & Hove Secondary Sisters, a support and advocacy group for people with secondary breast cancer in the UK. Through her public voice and lived experience, she champions patient rights, end-of-life care, and equitable access to treatments.
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Sherene Loi is Professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne and Head of the Translational Breast Cancer Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She is Executive Director of the Breast International Group and leads major international breast cancer research networks. She has received the Frank Fenner Prize, the AACR Outstanding Investigator Award, and the ESMO Breast Cancer Award.
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Tsetsegsaikhan Batmunkh is Director of the Public Health Department at Mongolia’s Ministry of Health and Founder of the National Cancer Council of Mongolia. She leads national initiatives in cancer prevention, HPV vaccination, and access to essential medicines. She has previously served as Director of the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, Advisor to the Health Minister, and WHO Officer, and is a member of OncoDaily’s Editorial Board.
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Aleksandra Filipovic is Chief Medical Officer at Gallop Oncology and a clinician-scientist specializing in oncology, immuno-oncology, and translational research. She also leads oncology at PureTech Health and has held senior roles at Bristol Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. A practicing clinician at Imperial College London, she serves on ESO faculty, the SPCC Scientific Board, and is Associate Editor for Frontiers in Oncology.
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Robin Zon is Chair of the ASCO Board (2025–2026) and former ASCO President (2024–2025). She is Director of Breast Cancer Oncology at Cincinnati Cancer Advisors and previously served as Medical Director of Oncology Research at Memorial Hospital and Principal Investigator for the Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium. A long-standing advocate for patient-centered cancer care, she is a recipient of ASCO’s Distinguished Achievement Award for her contributions to clinical research and oncology leadership.
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Karen Knudsen is CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and formerly served as CEO of the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN. She previously led oncology services at Jefferson Health and was Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. A national leader in cancer science and policy, she was named to CNBC’s 2025 Changemakers list for her impact on immunotherapy and patient advocacy.
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Aparna Parikh is a gastrointestinal oncologist and Director of the Global Cancer Care Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. She leads the Colorectal Research and Young Adults CRC Programs at MGH. She co-founded the POETIC global oncology fellowship initiative and serves on the Executive Board of BOTSOGO and Editorial Board of OncoDaily.
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Katie Couric is an award-winning journalist, author, and breast cancer survivor who has become a leading public advocate for cancer awareness and early detection. She founded Katie Couric Media’s cancer initiatives and partners widely to promote screening and survivorship. She has shaped national conversations on breast health and was named one of the 100 Influential Celebrities in Oncology (2023).
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Solange Peters is Professor and Chair of Medical Oncology at the University Hospital of Lausanne and Head of the Thoracic Malignancies Program. She has received the 2025 IASLC Paul A. Bunn Jr. Scientific Award. She is past President of ESMO (2020–2022), founder of the Women for Oncology initiative and serves as Associate Editor for Annals of Oncology.
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Laura Towart is Founder and CEO of Vivan Therapeutics, developing personalized cancer treatments through the TuMatch drug-combination platform. She previously founded Celmatix, focused on precision women’s health, and began her career at Weill Cornell. A recognized biotech entrepreneur, she has been recognized for her pioneering work at the intersection of technology and personalized oncology
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Estelamari Rodriguez is Associate Director of Community Outreach and a member of the Lung Cancer Disease Group at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami. A leader in addressing health disparities and culturally tailored education, she champions bilingual outreach and mentors women and minorities in medicine.
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Karen Canfell is Director of the Cancer Research Division at Cancer Council NSW and inaugural Director of the Daffodil Centre. A Professor at the University of Sydney, she led Australia’s transition to HPV-based cervical screening. She leads major international modeling initiatives and has received national honors including appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia.
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Paula Schneider is Vice Chair and former President and CEO of Susan G. Komen. A breast cancer survivor, she is a powerful advocate for equitable access to screening, treatment, and patient navigation. Her leadership accelerated Komen’s impact in health equity and survivorship, shaping one of the world’s largest breast cancer movements.
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Cathy Eng is Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She leads clinical trials in colorectal and HPV-associated cancers, with a particular focus on young adults. She serves as Vice-Chair of the SWOG GI Committee and is a member of the NCI GI Steering Committee, guiding national strategy in GI oncology.
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Stella Kyriakides is the former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (2019–2024), where she led Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and major reforms in medicines, prevention, and health data. A breast cancer survivor and past President of Europa Donna, she has long championed screening, equity, and patient rights in oncology. In 2025, she received the Yvonne Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Valentina Prevolnik Rupel is the Minister of Health of Slovenia and an economist specializing in health systems, value-based care, and health technology assessment. She previously served as State Secretary at the Ministry of Health. She has led major national reforms, including advancing “right to be forgotten” protections for cancer survivors, and continues to shape Slovenia’s strategic health-policy agenda.
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Maryam Lustberg is Professor of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Center for Breast Cancer and Chief of Breast Medical Oncology at Smilow Cancer Hospital. A national leader in breast cancer care and survivorship, she serves on key ASCO committees and is Past-President of MASCC, advancing global supportive-care standards.
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Bahija Jallal is CEO and Board Director of Immunocore, leading global development of TCR-based immunotherapies. She previously served as President of MedImmune and Executive Vice President at AstraZeneca. She also serves on the boards of Anthem, Inc. and Johns Hopkins University. She was named HBA Woman of the Year in 2017.
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Kimryn Rathmell is CEO of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital. She previously served as Director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (2023–2025). A physician-scientist and pioneer in kidney cancer research, her honors include the ACS Medal of Honor (2025) and the ASCI Korsmeyer Award (2025).
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Sushmita Sen is Global Medical Scientific Alliances Lead for Oncology and Hematology at Roche. Her work bridges academia, industry, and nonprofit sectors to promote sustainable, value-based cancer care. She is also host of The Invisibles Project podcast and has served with ASCO, Conquer Cancer, and AACR.
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Angela Mastronuzzi is Head of the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome and President of AIEOP. A leading expert in pediatric brain tumors, she also teaches at Sapienza University of Rome and Unicamillus University. Her research in pediatric neuro-oncology and cellular immunotherapy has earned multiple national and international awards.
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Marzia Zambon is Executive Director of EUROPA DONNA – The European Breast Cancer Coalition, overseeing advocacy, education, and policy efforts across 40+ countries. A key voice in strengthening breast-cancer screening and early detection policies across Europe, she represents the organization on the European Breast Cancer Council and major EU advisory groups.
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Amalya Sargsyan is a Medical Oncologist at Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center and Clinical Research Physician at IMMONC in Armenia. She leads the Sarcoma Unit at D’Clinic and serves as Vice President of Research and Intelligence at OncoDaily. She is a Conquer Cancer IDEA Award and MSK GI Oncology Mentee Award recipient, with research focused on sarcomas and GI cancers.
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Karen Zaghiyan is a colorectal surgeon and Associate Professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she directs the Colorectal Cancer Program and the Colorectal Surgery Residency. An international leader in minimally invasive and transanal techniques, she is also widely followed on Instagram and TikTok for her accessible, educational content that broadens public understanding of surgical care.
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Ziroat Mirziyoyeva is the First Lady of Uzbekistan and Chair of the Zamin International Public Foundation, championing global initiatives in childhood cancer survival and NCD prevention. In 2025, she chaired a landmark UN General Assembly forum with WHO and St. Jude to advance pediatric cancer survival worldwide. She has helped align Uzbekistan’s national strategies with global goals to raise childhood cancer survival to 60% by 2030.
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Lynn M. Schuchter is Chief of Hematology-Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Tara Miller Melanoma Center. A global leader in melanoma care, she has shaped the field’s shift toward precision and immunotherapy. She served as ASCO President (2023–2024) and received ASCO’s Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award for her dedication to training future leaders.
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Evis Sala is the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Albania and a leading physician-scientist in oncologic imaging. She previously served as Founding Rector of Western Balkans University and led advanced cancer imaging programs at Cambridge and Gemelli Hospital. As Minister, she has prioritized cancer-care reform, including reimbursement of oncology drugs and a national AI-enabled diagnostics program.
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Michelle Mitchell OBE is Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research UK. Since joining in 2018, she has led major strategies in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. She previously served as CEO of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and held senior roles at Age UK, NHS England, and The King’s Fund. She was appointed OBE for her contributions to the charity sector.
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Felicia Marie Knaul is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine at UCLA and Senior Advisor to the Dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA Health. A breast cancer survivor and global health economist, she founded Tómatelo a Pecho to advance early detection and women’s cancer care in Latin America. She also co-chairs major Lancet Commissions on cancer and health systems.
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Tian Zhang is Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern and Associate Director of Clinical Research at the Simmons Cancer Center. Specialized in genitourinary cancers, she co-chairs the NCI GU Steering Committee Renal Task Force and serves on ASCO and SITC guideline committees. Her work has been recognized with the CPRIT Scholar Rising Stars Award.
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Kathleen M. Schmeler is Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Associate Vice President of Global Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She leads international programs to expand cervical cancer care in underserved regions. She chairs the IGCS Education Committee and has pioneered tele-mentoring models connecting experts with providers in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.
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Nazik Hammad is Professor of Medical Oncology at Queen’s University and a global oncology leader. She chairs the Education and Training Committee at AORTIC and is a key contributor to the Choosing Wisely Africa initiative. She works to strengthen cancer training across LMICs and contributes to the Lancet Commission on Women, Power & Cancer.
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Amy C. Moore is Director of Patient Engagement and Advocacy at Summit Therapeutics. She previously served as Vice President of Global Engagement at LUNGevity and Director of Science and Research at the GO2 Foundation. Her work centers on amplifying patient voices and building global coalitions to accelerate research.
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Pat Garcia-Gonzalez is Co-Founder and CEO of The Max Foundation, which provides cancer treatments to patients in underserved regions. She previously chaired the ATOM Coalition Council under UICC and serves on advisory boards for CML global networks. She has been honored with the UICC Outstanding Contribution Award and the Fierce 50 Health Equity recognition.
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Mia Amor Mottley is the Prime Minister of Barbados and the country’s first female leader. She has prioritized access to essential medicines and cancer therapies, including launching a regional pharmaceutical hub with Rwanda and WHO, and established the Living Laboratory for genomic research. Her leadership has earned the UN Champions of the Earth Award.
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Lordina Mahama is the First Lady of Ghana and Founder of the Lordina Foundation, leading national campaigns for breast- and cervical-cancer screening in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and global HPV initiatives. She focuses on reaching rural and underserved communities, advancing women’s health and empowerment.
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Deborah Schrag is Chair of the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the George J. Bosl Chair in Medicine. She previously served at Dana-Farber and Harvard Medical School as Chief of Population Sciences. She serves on the ASCO Board and is the nominee for ASCO President-Elect.
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Dilyara Kaidarova is Chair of the Board of the Kazakh Institute of Oncology and Radiology and First Vice-Rector of the Kazakh National Medical University. She also leads the Kazakhstan Cancer Society. As a surgical oncologist she founded the Together Against Cancer fund and has been recognized with the Thomson Reuters “Leader of Science” Award.
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Rejin Kebudi is Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa and serves as Secretary General of SIOP and Chair of its Supportive Care Working Group. She is past President of the Turkish Pediatric Oncology Group. She received ASCO’s International Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award in 2018.
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Ivy L. Riano Monsalve is Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and a thoracic medical oncologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She specializes in lung cancer, and as a Latina oncologist, she is a strong advocate for diversity in cancer research and equitable access to high-quality care.
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Barbara Ewals is Chief Executive Officer of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG). Her global leadership includes serving as Executive Director of the Initiative for Global Resilience and Advisory Council Member of AsianNGO. She is also a featured voice in personalized HER2-positive breast cancer care initiatives for older patients.
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Jessica MacIntyre is the President of the Oncology Nursing Society (2024–2026) and Executive Director of Clinical Operations at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she also practices as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. She established the Sylvester Patient Family Advisory Council. Her awards include the AANP State Award for Advocacy.
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Gabrielle van Ramshorst is an Associate Professor of Gastrointestinal Oncological Surgery at Ghent University and Consultant Surgical Oncologist at Ghent University Hospital. She serves as Associate Editor of Colorectal Disease and on the editorial board of International Journal of Gynecological Oncology. She also holds global leadership roles with SSO and ESCP.
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Marlo Thomas is the National Outreach Director of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an acclaimed actress and producer whose advocacy for childhood cancer spans decades. She created the St. Jude Thanks & Giving campaign in 2004. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2014) and helped establish the Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration to advance childhood cancer survival worldwide.
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See also:
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 10
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 9
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 8
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 7
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 6
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 5
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 4
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 3
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 2
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025 – Part 1
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to follow on Social Media in 2024
100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to follow on Social Media in 2023
100 Influential Celebrities in Oncology: The 2023 Edition
