100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2024: Part 10

As we reach to the concluding part of 100 Influential Women in Oncology, we honor the remarkable women whose dedication is transforming the landscape of cancer care. Their work in clinical practice, research, patient advocacy, and policy continues to inspire change and drive innovation, improving the lives of people impacted by cancer around the world.

Here are the final 10 influential women in oncology from our ongoing series:

Lidia Schapira is a leading medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer care and the inaugural Director of Stanford’s Cancer Survivorship Program. Her commitment to improving the health outcomes of cancer survivors is matched by her efforts to train the next generation of physician-scientists and develop innovative educational programs for practicing physicians. From 2015 to 2021, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Cancer.Net, the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s public website.

Follow Lidia Schapira on Linkedin and X.

Stacy Hurt, Chief Patient Officer at Parexel, a leading Phase I-IV CRO, is a tireless advocate for expanding clinical trial accessibility and ensuring that people with diverse abilities have an equitable opportunity for better treatments. Her work focuses on amplifying the voices of patients and caregivers, driving change in the early stages of drug development to improve cancer care for all.

Follow Stacy Hurt on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

Ginny Mason is the Executive Director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation and a passionate advocate for those affected by inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Diagnosed with IBC in 1994, Ginny has leveraged her experience to raise awareness and push for better research and treatment options. Her advocacy has been central in providing critical resources for those living with IBC, a rare and often misunderstood form of breast cancer.

Follow Ginny Mason on LinkedIn.

Antonella Cardone, Executive Director of Cancer Patients Europe (CPE), has had a profound impact on cancer patient advocacy across Europe. Through her strategic leadership, she has advanced initiatives focused on social inclusion, health, and capacity building to ensure cancer patients have the support and care they need. Cardone served as the Director of the Global Smoke-free Partnership by the American Cancer Society.

Follow Antonella Cardone on LinkedIn.

Alique Topalian, a two-time cancer survivor, has used her personal journey with leukemia to advocate for childhood cancer and raise awareness about bone marrow and cord blood donation. After relapsing with AML in 2021, she continued to champion for cancer patients by pursuing a Master’s in Public Health and a Ph.D. in Health Promotion. As a researcher in mental health and resilience, she is dedicated to improving support for patients at all stages of cancer treatment.

Follow Alique Topalian on LinkedIn, Instagram and X. 

Shubh Goel, is Vice President at AstraZeneca and a leader in oncology commercial strategy. Her work spans immuno-oncology and gastrointestinal tumors, where she has led cross-functional teams to successfully launch products globally. With over 20 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Shubh has held senior roles at Fennec Pharmaceuticals, Celgene, Bayer, and other leading organizations, helping shape the future of cancer treatment and patient care.

Follow Shubh Goel on LinkedIn and X. 

Nicole L. Stout, a pioneer in cancer survivorship and rehabilitation, is the Senior Director of Survivorship and Wellness at the American Cancer Society. Her work has shaped national and international guidelines for survivorship care, ensuring that cancer survivors receive the comprehensive support they need for long-term well-being.  Stout is the co-author of the book 100 Questions and Answers about Lymphedema. She has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-review publications, several book chapters.

Follow Nicole L. Stout on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

Gretchen Vaughan is the President and CEO of the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA), a role she has held since 2018. Under her leadership, the KCA has grown from an organization focused primarily on professional education to a global leader in research, advocacy, and patient support for those affected by kidney cancer. Before joining KCA, Vaughan spent 12 years in financial services, developing her business acumen, and later moved into the healthcare sector with MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Follow Gretchen Vaughan on LinkedIn and X. 

Trijn Israels, a prominent Pediatric Oncologist at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Blantyre, Malawi, serves as the Project Leader for “Zero Abandonment from Start to Finish” at CANCaRe Africa. She has been the Chair of CANCaRe Africa since July 2017, focusing on collaborative efforts in childhood cancer care and research across Africa. Additionally, Israels chairs the Wilms Africa Project.

Follow Trijn Israels on Linkedin.

Katherine Van Loon, an expert in gastrointestinal cancers, has spent years researching the epidemiology of colon cancer and its global impact.  She is the Director of the Global Cancer Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Van loon has recently been appointed as the next Editor-in-Chief of JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO), an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) journal.

Her work continues to advance our understanding of gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly in the developing world, where her research is improving outcomes for patients.

Follow Katherine Van Loon on X and LinkedIn. 

Highlighting these influential women allows us to celebrate their ongoing contributions to oncology, which are making a significant impact in the fight against cancer. Follow their inspiring journeys and join them in advocating for a brighter future in cancer care.

Missed the previous highlights? Check out last year’s list, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8 and Part 9 in this year’s series for more inspiration.