The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Staff Leadership Team is a group of dedicated professionals, some of whom have been personally touched by the disease, who bring significant experience and expertise to leading the organization from major nonprofit and for-profit companies in the United States. The Leadership Team is based in the national headquarters in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and the Government Affairs & Advocacy office in Washington, D.C.
Julie M. Fleshman, JD, MBA
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) nationwide network of people
dedicated to fighting the world’s toughest cancer. Founded by a group of pancreatic cancer
survivors and caregivers in 1999, the organization relentlessly pursues its mission by
implementing an aggressive and comprehensive strategy of research, patient support, advocacy
and awareness. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is headquartered in Manhattan Beach,
Calif., and also staffs a Washington, D.C., and New York City office.
Julie Fleshman became the organization’s first full-time staff person and its first Executive Director in April 2000. Having lost her father to pancreatic cancer in 1999, she has made it her passion and commitment to change the course of the disease. In July 2004, the Board of Directors appointed Fleshman President and CEO. Under her leadership, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has grown from a staff of one with revenues of $228,000 to a staff of over 140 with a budget of more than $40 million.
Today, Fleshman is a sought-after speaker with considerable experience addressing diverse stakeholder groups, including Congress, industry, patients, scientists, donors and volunteers. She has also been interviewed by national media such as The New York Times, CNN, PBS, Headline News, CBS News and ABC News as well as local press throughout the country.
Fleshman’s leadership has driven consistent excellence and innovation throughout the programs and services of the organization, including introducing precision medicine service Know Your Tumor® and Precision PromiseSM, the first response-adaptive randomized clinical trial for pancreatic cancer. At the same time, she has steadily increased revenue growth and the organization’s impact. Under her direction, the organization has greatly expanded and attracted leading researchers from prestigious institutions around the country to study pancreatic cancer.
During Fleshman’s tenure, advocacy and grassroots efforts have expanded to over 60 affiliates nationwide and yielded a $160 million increase in federal funding for pancreatic cancer research. The organization has awarded 174 pancreatic cancer research grants and has a projected total research investment of approximately $105 million, including the competitive Research Grants Program and leading-edge scientific and clinical initiatives. Patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals have called upon the organization more than 204,000 times for disease information, treatment options and hope.
Fleshman holds her JD and MBA degrees from Santa Clara University and a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also studied abroad at Oxford University and in Tokyo, Japan.
Fleshman has been honored for her leadership and dedication in the fight against pancreatic cancer by many organizations. She serves on the boards of several cancer care and research committees and organizations. Currently, she serves as a National Cancer Research Advocate for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), providing advice to the NCI Director with respect to promoting research outcomes that are in the best interest of cancer patients.
In addition, Fleshman is the Chair of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, a coalition of more than 80 pancreatic cancer organizations representing 32 countries on six continents.
Julie Fleshman became the organization’s first full-time staff person and its first Executive Director in April 2000. Having lost her father to pancreatic cancer in 1999, she has made it her passion and commitment to change the course of the disease. In July 2004, the Board of Directors appointed Fleshman President and CEO. Under her leadership, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has grown from a staff of one with revenues of $228,000 to a staff of over 140 with a budget of more than $40 million.
Today, Fleshman is a sought-after speaker with considerable experience addressing diverse stakeholder groups, including Congress, industry, patients, scientists, donors and volunteers. She has also been interviewed by national media such as The New York Times, CNN, PBS, Headline News, CBS News and ABC News as well as local press throughout the country.
Fleshman’s leadership has driven consistent excellence and innovation throughout the programs and services of the organization, including introducing precision medicine service Know Your Tumor® and Precision PromiseSM, the first response-adaptive randomized clinical trial for pancreatic cancer. At the same time, she has steadily increased revenue growth and the organization’s impact. Under her direction, the organization has greatly expanded and attracted leading researchers from prestigious institutions around the country to study pancreatic cancer.
During Fleshman’s tenure, advocacy and grassroots efforts have expanded to over 60 affiliates nationwide and yielded a $160 million increase in federal funding for pancreatic cancer research. The organization has awarded 174 pancreatic cancer research grants and has a projected total research investment of approximately $105 million, including the competitive Research Grants Program and leading-edge scientific and clinical initiatives. Patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals have called upon the organization more than 204,000 times for disease information, treatment options and hope.
Fleshman holds her JD and MBA degrees from Santa Clara University and a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also studied abroad at Oxford University and in Tokyo, Japan.
Fleshman has been honored for her leadership and dedication in the fight against pancreatic cancer by many organizations. She serves on the boards of several cancer care and research committees and organizations. Currently, she serves as a National Cancer Research Advocate for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), providing advice to the NCI Director with respect to promoting research outcomes that are in the best interest of cancer patients.
In addition, Fleshman is the Chair of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, a coalition of more than 80 pancreatic cancer organizations representing 32 countries on six continents.
Pamela Acosta Marquardt
Founder
In 1996, Pamela Acosta Marquardt lost her mother to pancreatic cancer following a six-month
battle. After discovering there was no organization that dealt with pancreatic cancer,
Marquardt became determined to do something to ensure that patients and families had a place to
turn to for information, resources and hope.
In November 1998, she produced the An Evening with the Stars gala in Beverly Hills, by rallying and bringing together celebrity families who had lost loved ones to the disease. The gala was the first-ever major fundraising event for pancreatic cancer. Event proceeds funded the first early detection lab for pancreatic cancer at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. In February 1999, she founded the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network with the goal of it becoming a beacon of hope for those touched by the disease.
Marquardt served on the board of directors of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network prior to joining its staff full time in 2007. A devoted advocate and tenacious leader within the pancreatic cancer community, she is also a highly regarded public speaker, regularly addressing the organization’s mission and its goal of creating a brighter future for pancreatic cancer patients.
Previously, Marquardt was Executive Director of the American Heart Association in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, where she oversaw fundraising and development. She also served in a vice president capacity in various industries, including industrial metal recycling, where she developed marketing strategies and operational systems for a leading scrap metal company, and in fashion, where she oversaw private-label management and design, as well as site procurement and store design.
In November 1998, she produced the An Evening with the Stars gala in Beverly Hills, by rallying and bringing together celebrity families who had lost loved ones to the disease. The gala was the first-ever major fundraising event for pancreatic cancer. Event proceeds funded the first early detection lab for pancreatic cancer at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. In February 1999, she founded the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network with the goal of it becoming a beacon of hope for those touched by the disease.
Marquardt served on the board of directors of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network prior to joining its staff full time in 2007. A devoted advocate and tenacious leader within the pancreatic cancer community, she is also a highly regarded public speaker, regularly addressing the organization’s mission and its goal of creating a brighter future for pancreatic cancer patients.
Previously, Marquardt was Executive Director of the American Heart Association in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, where she oversaw fundraising and development. She also served in a vice president capacity in various industries, including industrial metal recycling, where she developed marketing strategies and operational systems for a leading scrap metal company, and in fashion, where she oversaw private-label management and design, as well as site procurement and store design.
Tom Croal
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Tom Croal is responsible for the financial strategy of the
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, including oversight of all accounting and finance functions,
and legal and risk management. Croal acts as the liaison with the CEO and the Board of
Directors on all financial matters and serves as the staff liaison to the Audit and Investment
Committee as well as the Risk Committee.
Croal brings over 30 years of experience in broad-based finance operations to the role, with a proven record in developing financial strategies and systems to facilitate profitable, measured and accountable growth. Most recently, Croal served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Silverado Senior Living Holdings, Inc. He has also worked for Sage Publications, Inc. as their Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, ppoNEXT, Inc. as their Chief Financial Officer, and Insight Health Services Corp. as their Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Croal earned his BS in accounting from Loyola Marymount University and is a California Certified Public Accountant.
Croal brings over 30 years of experience in broad-based finance operations to the role, with a proven record in developing financial strategies and systems to facilitate profitable, measured and accountable growth. Most recently, Croal served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Silverado Senior Living Holdings, Inc. He has also worked for Sage Publications, Inc. as their Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, ppoNEXT, Inc. as their Chief Financial Officer, and Insight Health Services Corp. as their Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Croal earned his BS in accounting from Loyola Marymount University and is a California Certified Public Accountant.
Sudheer Doss, PhD
Chief Data Officer
Sudheer Doss, PhD, is responsible for creating the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s data and
technology vision and strategy and for all patient data generated from PanCAN’s scientific and
medical affairs initiatives. He oversees a team responsible for health data organization-wide
at PanCAN.
Doss previously worked as director of the precision medicine practice for Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC). For more than a decade, he led PwC consulting engagements to develop and execute precision medicine strategies for stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. Doss’ educational background in science -- specifically genomics and bioinformatics -- and his professional experience in strategic and operational initiatives in precision medicine, make him a natural fit with PanCAN’s multitude of innovative scientific and clinical programs.
Doss is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received a PhD in human genetics and bioinformatics and a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and molecular genetics.
Doss previously worked as director of the precision medicine practice for Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC). For more than a decade, he led PwC consulting engagements to develop and execute precision medicine strategies for stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. Doss’ educational background in science -- specifically genomics and bioinformatics -- and his professional experience in strategic and operational initiatives in precision medicine, make him a natural fit with PanCAN’s multitude of innovative scientific and clinical programs.
Doss is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received a PhD in human genetics and bioinformatics and a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and molecular genetics.
Jodi Lipe
Chief Marketing Officer
As Chief Marketing Officer for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Jodi Lipe oversees
marketing and communications strategies across the organization, including raising awareness
and visibility about pancreatic cancer, elevating the organization’s role as the leader in the
pancreatic cancer field, and ensuring a robust and diverse pipeline of constituents.
Lipe has a broad marketing and communications background in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She has a proven track record in brand building, public relations, communications, revenue growth, partnership marketing and results-driven operational excellence, which is crucial for the organization’s goal to improve patient outcomes.
Previously, Lipe held executive marketing and leadership roles, both as a consultant and on staff, for a variety of high-profile entertainment, tech and nonprofit businesses including MGM, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, POPSUGAR, Cisco, Current TV and the Cartoon Network.
Lipe earned a BS degree from New Hampshire College and has received several awards throughout her marketing career, including a Bronze and Silver ADDY award.
Lipe has a broad marketing and communications background in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She has a proven track record in brand building, public relations, communications, revenue growth, partnership marketing and results-driven operational excellence, which is crucial for the organization’s goal to improve patient outcomes.
Previously, Lipe held executive marketing and leadership roles, both as a consultant and on staff, for a variety of high-profile entertainment, tech and nonprofit businesses including MGM, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, POPSUGAR, Cisco, Current TV and the Cartoon Network.
Lipe earned a BS degree from New Hampshire College and has received several awards throughout her marketing career, including a Bronze and Silver ADDY award.
Lynn Matrisian, PhD, MBA
Chief Science Officer
As Chief Science Officer, Lynn Matrisian brings extensive experience and passion for cancer
research, combined with business training, to provide strategic direction for the scientific
aspects of the initiatives and activities within the Scientific & Medical Affairs team toward
the goal of improving outcomes for those facing pancreatic cancer.
Prior to joining the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Matrisian put her scientific training to work for 25 years leading a research laboratory dedicated to understanding cancer metastasis. She has published more than 250 original scientific articles and trained more than 30 young scientists who have gone on to join the fight against cancer in the academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, government and nonprofit sectors.
Matrisian was the founding chair of the department of cancer biology in the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, the president of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a special assistant to the director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. She was elected to the AACR Academy, which recognizes and honors distinguished scientists whose major scientific contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer.
Matrisian received a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
Prior to joining the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Matrisian put her scientific training to work for 25 years leading a research laboratory dedicated to understanding cancer metastasis. She has published more than 250 original scientific articles and trained more than 30 young scientists who have gone on to join the fight against cancer in the academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, government and nonprofit sectors.
Matrisian was the founding chair of the department of cancer biology in the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, the president of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a special assistant to the director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. She was elected to the AACR Academy, which recognizes and honors distinguished scientists whose major scientific contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer.
Matrisian received a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
Edwina Mossett, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Chief People Officer
As Chief People Officer, Edwina Mossett is responsible for leading the strategy, development
and execution of all human resources programs and people initiatives for the Pancreatic Cancer
Action Network.
Mossett is a seasoned human resources professional with more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in fast-growing, high-energy, creative and emerging industries. Her specialty is building and scaling world-class cultures and organizations. She most recently served as Vice President, People Business Partner at Beachbody, LLC. Her background also includes several years as Senior Vice President of Human Capital at Spectrum Athletic Clubs, as well as Vice President of Human Resources & Administration for Applied Minds and Virgin Records America.
Mossett holds a BS degree in business administration from Biola University and attended Pepperdine University’s Executive MBA program. She holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP Certificates, a Strategic Management Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and a Human Resources Development Certificate from California State University, Long Beach.
Mossett is a seasoned human resources professional with more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in fast-growing, high-energy, creative and emerging industries. Her specialty is building and scaling world-class cultures and organizations. She most recently served as Vice President, People Business Partner at Beachbody, LLC. Her background also includes several years as Senior Vice President of Human Capital at Spectrum Athletic Clubs, as well as Vice President of Human Resources & Administration for Applied Minds and Virgin Records America.
Mossett holds a BS degree in business administration from Biola University and attended Pepperdine University’s Executive MBA program. She holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP Certificates, a Strategic Management Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and a Human Resources Development Certificate from California State University, Long Beach.
Victoria Manax Rutson, MD
Chief Medical Officer
As Chief Medical Officer, Victoria Manax Rutson provides strategic direction and operational
oversight to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s high-priority clinical and medical
initiatives, with particular emphasis on the Precision Promise initiative and its Clinical
Trial Consortium.
She works closely with clinical cancer research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to build a productive and collaborative team, which will accelerate progress to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Manax received her medical degree from University College Dublin in Ireland and completed her medical training at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin and University Hospital Galway. Following her oncology training, she embarked on a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.
She has held many leadership positions in medical affairs and clinical development, holding a particular interest in pancreatic clinical trials. Dr. Manax was involved in the development and approval of the drug Abraxane for multiple indications including pancreatic cancer. Her areas of interest include drug development, precision medicine strategy and innovative clinical trial design.
She works closely with clinical cancer research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to build a productive and collaborative team, which will accelerate progress to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Manax received her medical degree from University College Dublin in Ireland and completed her medical training at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin and University Hospital Galway. Following her oncology training, she embarked on a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.
She has held many leadership positions in medical affairs and clinical development, holding a particular interest in pancreatic clinical trials. Dr. Manax was involved in the development and approval of the drug Abraxane for multiple indications including pancreatic cancer. Her areas of interest include drug development, precision medicine strategy and innovative clinical trial design.
Lori Stevens
Chief Development and Community Engagement Officer
As Chief Development and Community Engagement Officer for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network,
Lori Stevens drives strategy, management, leadership and implementation of the organization’s
fundraising efforts and volunteer engagement activities.
She brings extensive nonprofit and corporate sales experience to the role, along with a successful track record in revenue growth, strategic planning, team management and special event execution.
Most recently Lori served as Senior Vice President for the Western States Affiliate of the American Heart Association, where she was responsible for Division revenue and mission impact in alignment with both affiliate and national goals and priorities.
Stevens also served as Vice President, Field Operations of the Western Division for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for eight years, driving $33 million in revenue. Throughout her 20-year tenure with ADA, she held progressive roles from Regional Corporate Development Director to Senior Executive Director. Stevens holds a BS in business administration from the University of Southern California.
She brings extensive nonprofit and corporate sales experience to the role, along with a successful track record in revenue growth, strategic planning, team management and special event execution.
Most recently Lori served as Senior Vice President for the Western States Affiliate of the American Heart Association, where she was responsible for Division revenue and mission impact in alignment with both affiliate and national goals and priorities.
Stevens also served as Vice President, Field Operations of the Western Division for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for eight years, driving $33 million in revenue. Throughout her 20-year tenure with ADA, she held progressive roles from Regional Corporate Development Director to Senior Executive Director. Stevens holds a BS in business administration from the University of Southern California.
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