ACCA 2026 Board of Directors Election Ballot

David Gosky
Position/ Title: Executive Director, Administration
Company: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: MA, MBA
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): Executive Director, Administration at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018-present): Associate Director for Administration, UK Markey Cancer Center (2009-2018)

Experience: I am the current treasurer and have been attending CCAF/ACCA meetings since 2023, most recently in Seattle.

Initiative: I am a strong supporter of the ACCA quads mentoring program and would like to expand this to other cohorts of interested individuals across the cancer center community

John Pounardjian
Credentials: Responsible for both research and service line finances. Reviewer on 10 NCI Site Visit Committees. External Advisory Board Member to multiple NCI designated cancer centers.
Position/ Title: Chief Financial & Administrative Officer / Deputy Director for Administration & Planning
Company: Rutgers Cancer Institute / RWJBarnabas Health
Most Advanced Degree: MBA

Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): 2025 - present: Chief Financial & Administrative Officer / Deputy Director for Administration & Planning, Rutgers Cancer Institute & RWJBarnabas Health; 2017-2025: Associate Director for Administration & Associate Vice President, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Experience: I have attended every ACCA meeting and since inception, have served as Co-Chair of the ACCA Corporate Relations Committee. I have introduced/advanced the ACCA mission to multiple industry partners and have helped secure approximately $275k in sponsorship over the past 3 years to support ACCA annual meetings and other programming. Prior to ACCA, I was active in CCAF and hosted the CCAF 2022 annual meeting in Cleveland, where I planned/led every aspect of the meeting.

Initiative: I would like to further the ACCA Commons Sessions by restructuring them to develop a cancer center administrators training curriculum. We can start with the framework for the CCSG 101 session and add other global areas of cancer center administration (ie: working with the service line, maximizing impact, coaching staff, etc). As a group, we have spent a lot of time talking about writing a better CCSG grant, but I would like to start focusing on developing better cancer center administrators. I think formalizing this would bring significant value to ACCA.

Jason Quinn
Credentials: GCIS - Graduate Certificate in Information Services
Position/ Title: Assistant Director, Operations and Finance
Company: University of Colorado Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: MBA, MHA
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): University of Colorado Cancer Center (10/2019 - present), University of Utah Dept of Surgery (08/2015 - 10/2019)

Experience: I have had the pleasure of serving on the finance committee for the past 2 years under both the David's (Darr and Gosky). I also served on the CCAF planning committee for Seattle. I have attended every CCAF meeting since I joined in 2020.

Initiative: I would like to further many of the benefits that I've gained from being part of an ACCA quad. I believe there should be more sharing amongst peers in terms of what resonates in the CCSG application. My ACCA quad has been amazing, we've shared presentations, strategic plans, how we're approaching new/changing components, and just every day administrative woes. Developing more opportunities for peers to get together and share ideas is something I'd like to pursue on the ACCA board.

Jess Richards
Credentials: BS
Position/ Title: Associate Director of Administration
Company: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: MHA
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): With over a decade of institutional experience, Jess joined the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center Administration team as a project manager in May 2021. Promoted to Assistant Director of Administration in 2023, Jess participated in succession planning, taking on mentorship and transition responsibilities ahead of her predecessor’s retirement. In October 2024, Jess was appointed Associate Director of Administration and led the Center’s successful CCSG renewal application submission in January 2026.

Experience: Jess has been attending ACCA CCAF every year since 2022. She currently serves on the ACCA Communications Committee and on the 2026 ACCA CCAF Planning Committee.

Initiative: Skill-building sessions across all levels of administration staff (e.g., leveraging tools and applications)

Emer Smyth
Position/ Title: Associate Director for Administration
Company: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center/Columbia University
Most Advanced Degree: PhD
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years):2021-present Associate Professor, Pathology and Cell Biology (in the Irving Cancer Research Center), Columbia University Medical Center; 2016-present Assistant Dean for Cancer Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center 2016-present, Director, Cancer Research Alliances, Herbert Irving Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center; 2016-2021 Assistant Professor, Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center; 2016-2025 Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania; 2016 Director, Stand Up To Cancer, Scientific Review and Grants Administration, American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia

Experience: I have attended CCAF meetings every year since I joined the HICCC at Columbia University in 2016. The only exception is the Seattle meeting in 2025, when I was unable to travel because Columbia's CCSG was terminated in March of that year (it has be since restored). I served on the CCAF planning committee three CCAF meetings from 2022-2024 and have contribued may times as a speaker, panelist, and round table participant. ACCA grew out of the CCAF community as a grass roots effort to develop a professional organization that advocates for and supports and mentors the administrators and staff who make NCI-designated cancer centers work. I have been privileged to experience ACCA's initiation and its growth, which is build on the support of the cancer center community across the US. I would be honored to contribute to ACCA serving as the association's Treasurer.

Initiative: ACCA grew out of the CCAF, providing a much needed "home" for the individuals that staff and support cancer center across the US. The fundamental strength of ACCA is the human experience it provides - connecting with trained professionals in the field, mentorship from administrators who have experience with the NCI, OCC, and CCSG. The fundamentals of guiding new/recent members and connecting cancer centers to each other and to the NCI, is a mainstay of ACCA. As a member of the ACCA Board of Directors, I would seek to further the mentorship and professional development aspects of the association. This would include assessing and enhancing the ACCA "quads", which pair seasoned administrators with those earlier in their experience, and developing career growth opportunities (e.g., leadership courses, networking events) for the cancer center administrator community. I would assess and enhance affinity groups, that provide practical, experience-driven advice on various aspects of cancer centers and the CCSG. I would also work to provide a relatively defined path for AACA members to join External Advisory Boards for other centers and/or to become an NCI reviewer, important "inside track" experiences that provide significant benefit.

Caroline Blair
Position/ Title: CRTEC Manager
Company: VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: B.S. in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology and French
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): CRTEC Coordinator (March 2023-present)

Experience: I was first introduced to ACCA through the CRTEC Action Network (CAN) in 2023, when I connected with my CRTEC counterpart at UCSF, Jennifer Seuferer. Through that initial introduction and my growing involvement in cancer research administration, I quickly realized this was a professional community where I could see myself growing both personally and professionally. My first ACCA conference was in March 2025 in Seattle, where I attended the CRTEC Pre-Workshop the day prior to the main meeting. Meeting colleagues I had previously only known virtually was an incredibly rewarding experience—one that was collaborative, inspiring, and reaffirming of the important work we do in training the next generation of students and trainees. The broader conference further enriched that experience, allowing me to learn from peers, exchange ideas, expand my network, and return to Massey energized with new perspectives and initiatives, all made possible through the collective forum that ACCA provides. Although this past year marked my first year of involvement and I did not serve on an ACCA committee, I believe this is an ideal time to further engage by serving as Director-at-Large, where I can contribute meaningfully to the organization and its mission.

Initiative: I would like to introduce a structured mentorship model within ACCA modeled after the successful CRTEC Action Network quad framework, which pairs two mentors with two mentees. Expanding this model across ACCA would create intentional, inter–research administration networking opportunities that help members identify mentors, champions, and collaborators across institutions and career stages. By fostering small, supportive cohorts, this initiative would encourage meaningful relationship-building, peer learning, and knowledge exchange beyond the annual meeting. It would be especially beneficial for early- and mid-career professionals seeking guidance, visibility, and advocacy within the field, while also providing seasoned administrators an avenue to share expertise and support the next generation. Implementing this model ACCA-wide would strengthen community engagement, promote professional development, and reinforce ACCA’s commitment to collaboration and mentorship.

Melissa Fitzmaurice Neligan
Credentials: MPH, CRA
Position/ Title: Chief Administrative Officer / Associate Director for Administration
Company: UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: MPH
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): I am an experienced cancer center executive with more than 15 years of leadership across NCI-designated cancer centers in both public and private institutions, including NYU, the University of New Mexico, and UCLA. I currently serve as Chief Administrative Officer and Associate Director of Administration at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, a role I have held for the past eight years, leading strategy and operations. Over the course of my career, I have overseen four successful CCSG competitive renewals. I have been an active member of ACCA (formerly CCAF) for nearly 15 years, most recently serving as co-chair of the Membership Committee and chair of the New Member Engagement Committee, and I serve on the External Advisory Boards of three other cancer centers.

Experience: I have been actively involved with ACCA (formerly CCAF) for nearly 15 years and have found it to be one of the most meaningful professional communities of my career. Currently I serve as co-chair of the Membership Committee and chair of the New Member Engagement Committee, and over the years I have contributed to numerous conference planning committees. I am also one of three leaders of the CCSG 101 Pre-Conference Workshop, developing the curriculum to provide new CCSG administrators with a strong, practical foundation in the program and the knowledge necessary to successfully navigate a competitive renewal. In nearly 15 years, I have missed only one meeting (the week before I had my baby), which speaks to how deeply I value this community. ACCA has been an extraordinary source of learning, mentorship, and collaboration for me, and I remain committed to giving back to the field and to supporting the next generation of cancer center administrators.

Initiative: When I first began attending ACCA (then CCAF), even though I was fortunate to attend with a wonderful boss who introduced me to people, I remember how intimidating it felt. As a new administrator, it seemed like everyone already knew each other and knew so much more than I did (which, of course, they did!). That experience has stayed with me and has shaped my passion for intentionally bringing new administrators into the fold and helping them grow as cancer center leaders. I would love to further initiatives that consciously and thoughtfully embrace new members, through formal mentoring programs as well as more organic connection points at conferences, such as informal meet-and-greets, topic-specific dine-arounds, and structured networking opportunities that make introductions easier. While programs like the ACCA Commons calls are terrific and create natural space for engagement, especially for those who are naturally outgoing, I believe we can be even more intentional about building mechanisms that support those who may be quieter or newer to the field, ensuring every member has the opportunity to form meaningful relationships that extend beyond a single meeting and truly support their development as cancer center administrators.

Max Loveless
Position/ Title: Senior Administrative Director
Company: Huntsman Cancer Institute
Most Advanced Degree: MBA
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): Senior Administrative Director, CCSG Administrator, Director of Research Administration

Experience: Hosted the 2023 CCAF Co-led NOFO task force for NCI-sponsored retreat Multiple CCAF planning committees Frequent speaker and panelist for ACCA

Initiative: I would like to do more work with benchmarking data across ACCA. We collect data from each other frequently - creating a library of helpful information would be a high priority. Additionally, I would like to focus on creating stronger peer group connections within ACCA.

Kate Shumate
Credentials: MPA, CCRP
Position/ Title: Chief of Staff and Director, Planning and Administration
Company: UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: MPA

Experience: I have participated in the CCAF and ACCA since 2011, my first CCAF meeting was in that year. I missed one meeting, 2012, when I was on parental leave. I was on the executive committee of CCAF from 2018-2021, hosted CCAF in 2020, and participated in the early discussions of the formulation of ACCA up until around 2021 when I devoted my time to my center renewal. I am on the ACCA communications committee and regularly attend meetings, and have joined the workforce development affinity group but have not gotten to attend a meeting.

Initiative: I will continue to work with the communications committee, and am interested in the workforce development work as well. I hope to continue working with the Cancer Centers Network and serve to bridge the network's efforts with ACCA where possible. Additionally, I think an effort to prioritize wellness among ACCA members, specifically to identify and prevent burnout would be very welcome and I would like to work on this in partnership with others.

Brian C. Springer
Position/ Title: Vice President & Associate Center Director, Research Administration
Company: Moffitt Cancer Center
Most Advanced Degree: MHA

Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): Since 2013, I have served as Associate Center Director of Administration (CCSG AD) & Vice President of Research Administration at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Before this, I served as AD of Administration (CCSG AD) & Executive Vice President at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC), and before that as Associate Director of Administration (CCSG AD) & Executive Director at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine & Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Before these defined AD of Administration roles, I served as Director of the Clinical Research Management Office (CCSG CTO Director) and Assistant Director of Finance & Administration at the Center now known as the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. I started in these roles right out of graduate school and with my trajectory of centers once submitted 3 CCSGs in 7 years (and lived to tell about it).

Read about Experience and Initiative at https://www.cancercenteradministrators.org/nominees-2026-acca-board-of-directors.

Lauren Wall
Position/ Title: Senior Director, Cancer Clinical Trials Office
Company: University of Chicago
Most Advanced Degree: MS in Health Care Administration
Relevant Employment History (within last 10 years): University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center 2012-present
Credentials: Cancer research and health administration leader with an M.S. in Health Administration and a B.S. in Biology, complemented by executive leadership training from the University of Chicago and Booth School of Business. Extensive experience in clinical research oversight, regulatory compliance, and academic instruction, with faculty appointments at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Active contributor to national cancer and clinical research leadership through board and steering committee roles with NCCN, AACI, and SCRC, and long-standing service on institutional scientific review and IRB committees.

Experience: I am an active member of the ACCA community and have attended the past five annual meetings. Over the last two years, I have served as a panel participant and contributed to planning efforts for the annual meetings.

Initiative: I would welcome the opportunity to continue contributing to the planning of the annual ACCA meeting, while also helping to create greater synergy between the clinical research community and the work of AACI and ACCA through meaningful cross-organizational collaboration.