Meet the Cancer and Careers Team:
REBECCA V. NELLIS, MPP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(she, her, hers)
Email: rnellis@cew.org
Rebecca V. Nellis, MPP is the Executive Director of Cancer and Careers. Since 2004 she has helped evolve the organization from early concept to national prominence. Rebecca oversees CAC’s programming and fundraising strategies to ensure long-term growth and sustainability. Under her leadership, the organization’s services transform the everyday lives of survivors while promoting lasting, systemic change for tomorrow’s workplace.
Featured in The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Women’s Health and on the TODAY show, Rebecca is a subject-matter expert on cancer–workplace issues. She travels the country presenting at national conferences, leading hospitals and community events about the intersection of life, work and cancer. She has been an invited speaker for the American Public Health Association, the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the National Business Group on Health and South by Southwest, among others.
Over the years, Rebecca has launched many of Cancer and Careers’ signature programs and services, including the National and Regional Conferences on Work & Cancer, In-Service Trainings for Healthcare Professionals and Financial Assistance and Technology Access Grants. As an active member of the cancer community, she has served on numerous committees and working groups. Currently, she is on the steering committee for Workplace Transitions for People Touched by Cancer.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University and a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University. Her graduate thesis was entitled “Implications of Cancer Survivorship on Financial Assets, Work Productivity and Employment Circumstances.”
RACHEL BECKER, LMSW, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
(she, her, hers)
Email: rbecker@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8031
Rachel joined Cancer and Careers in 2014 to lead accredited programming and serve as the organization’s senior in-house social worker. Over the last decade her role has expanded and now, as Deputy Director, Rachel supervises the Cancer and Careers program department, manages CAC’s direct services and provides day-to-day oversight of the organization’s budget. In addition, she continues to serve as lead social worker, and her expertise is regularly called upon to present on topics related to cancer and employment at community-based events and cancer conferences around the country.
Before joining Cancer and Careers, Rachel was Head of Client Services at CarePlanners (cofounded by Dr. Nancy Snyderman), where she designed and implemented a technology-based infrastructure for delivering and monitoring support services. Prior to that, she completed a fellowship in psycho oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and worked in a clinical capacity at the Jewish Child Care Association and New York Methodist Hospital.
Rachel holds a BA from Rutgers University and graduated summa cum laude with an MSW from New York University. She is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Workers, and a proud recipient of the Zelda Foster Fellowship in Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
LETICIA BENNETT-WHITE, MPA, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Email: lbennett@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8044
Leticia Bennett-White is Cancer and Careers’ Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. In this role, she supports the organization’s mission by introducing new supporters to the critical programs and services CAC offers, as well as ensures that our longtime champions continue to feel engaged and aligned with the organization they helped build.
Leticia has an extensive background in corporate development and marketing that spans more than 15 years in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She began her career supporting the education and arts program team at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national headquarters, in Atlanta. This led to leadership positions with New York’s flagship public television station, WNET/Thirteen; NBC News (Education Nation); and, most recently, American Red Cross of Greater New York Region. Leticia implemented national and local corporate sponsorships for these organizations, secured major gifts, oversaw marketing efforts, and, while at the Red Cross, co-developed an employee-led diversity program to promote cultural competency and inclusion.
A native of Brooklyn, Leticia graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism — with a concentration in public relations — and political science.
NICOLE JARVIS, LMSW, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
(she, her, hers)
Email: njarvis@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8043
Nicole Jarvis joined the team in October of 2015. As Assistant Director of Programs, she oversees the Financial Assistance Grant Program, Regional Conferences, Ask a Career Coach message board and accreditation. Nicole also provides direct support and referrals to the many patients, survivors and healthcare professionals who reach out to the organization via phone and email as well as presenting on employment topics to patient and healthcare groups in the cancer in community.
Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on women’s health. While in Madison, she was actively involved with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, pursuing work on legislative issues related to access to reproductive healthcare. Following graduation, she worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering for four years in the chemotherapy unit and for a renal oncologist, until attaining her Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College, in 2013. Nicole worked as a social worker in the child welfare arena, advocating for parents in family court, prior to joining Cancer and Careers.
MADELINE MEISLIN, MPA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
(she, her, hers)
Email: mmeislin@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8041
Maddy Meislin is Assistant Director of Programs at Cancer and Careers. In her role, she manages the execution of the National Conference, including its scholarship program; the In-Service Trainings for Healthcare Professionals; and the Job Search Intensive workshops. In addition, Maddy supports the logistics and outreach for CAC’s regional conferences and manages the organization’s community partnerships. Prior to Cancer and Careers, Maddy worked in community educational programming at Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York City, and has prior internship experience working with cancer survivors at nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.
Maddy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University and received her Master’s of Public Administration degree from Baruch College.
SISSY SILVA, MA, SENIOR MANAGER OF PROGRAMS AND SPANISH RESOURCES
(she, her, hers)
Email: ssilva@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8040
As Manager of Programs and Spanish Resources, Sissy Silva manages CAC’s events in Spanish, Resume Review Service and Harris research projects. Fluent in Spanish, she also oversees CAC’s library of English and Spanish publications and supports various other programs, events and initiatives.
Sissy received her BA in psychology from Rutgers University in 2014 and went on to work in the field of mental health research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, before pursuing her MA in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from Universitat Jaume I, in Spain, in 2017. As a master’s candidate, she interned at Safe Passage Project and became actively involved in the labor movement, working for the American Federation of Teachers, in Washington D.C.
SCOTT SINCLAIR, SENIOR MANAGER OF PROGRAMS
(he, him, his)
Email: ssinclair@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8023
Scott is a Senior Manager of Programs for Cancer and Careers. In his position, Scott oversees communications, including PR, social media and paid awareness efforts. He also manages CAC’s English website as well as the Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars — a 12-part series offering information and resources on targeted topics each month. Scott has been a member of CAC’s Young Professionals Committee since 2018, and regularly worked in a volunteer capacity supporting CAC's program initiatives before signing on as a full time member of the team. Prior to this role, Scott worked at CEW, Inc., where he supported Carlotta Jacobson, President of CEW and Founder of Cancer and Careers.
In a previous life, Scott worked on Broadway for five years on productions such as Kinky Boots and Evita. He earned his BA from Emerson College.
MAITE MEDINA RAMIREZ, SENIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR
(she, her, hers)
Email: mmedinaramirez@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8046
Maite is the Senior Program Coordinator at Cancer and Careers. She supports all of CAC’s programs in both English and Spanish, manages the Resume Review Service, assists with the Technology Assistance Program, and coordinates the publication library.
Maite received her BA in Anthropology and Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of South Florida. She has worked on sexual education programs in the Dominican Republic, taught English in Spain, and served as an ESL aid for immigrant students in the U.S.
TINE PRIHODA-BRUCATO, SENIOR DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
(they, them)
Email: tprihodabrucato@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8032
Tine is the Senior Development Coordinator for Cancer and Careers. In their position, Tine helps with planning and logistics for all Development led events, meetings, work groups, Board meetings, and more. They also help cultivate relationships with current supporters and prospect new ones to help fund CAC’s empowering services and programs.
Prior to this role, Tine worked in the plant-based consumer packaged goods industry, and spent a number of years working for animal welfare organizations, where they got their start in nonprofit development. They earned their BA from Vanderbilt University, with a major in comparative politics and minors in Japanese and French language.
CHRISTINE Q. BRENNAN, WEBSITE & EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
(she, her, hers)
Email: cbrennan@cew.org
Christine Brennan worked on staff at Cancer and Careers as Director of Programs and now serves as a consultant to the organization, managing its website — from operations and content to SEO/SEM initiatives — and editing its vast array of print and digital publications.
Chrissy has more than two decades of experience in communications, public relations, marketing and event management, including roles at Health magazine, SELF magazine, Lifetime Television and the PR/marketing firm Maloney & Fox, part of Waggener Edstrom Communications. In addition, she served as a Health Education Resource Volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya.
ALICIA CHIN, FOCUS GROUP LEAD & COMMUNICATIONS
(she, her, hers)
Email: achin@cew.org | Phone: 646-929-8049
Alicia has had many roles at Cancer and Careers for more than 20 years. Her projects range from research and report writing to speechwriting and communications planning to providing special-event and fundraising bandwidth. Her recent projects include “QVC and CEW Present Beauty with Benefits” — a landmark charity broadcast now more than 10 years old — and the Beauty of Giving Luncheon and Live Auction.
Alicia has also consulted for CEW Inc., promoting the annual Beauty Awards and its sponsors. Other long-term clients include a Mandarin and Spanish immersion private school with campuses in Manhattan and New Jersey.
Alicia originally joined Cancer and Careers as Associate Director in 2002, before leaving New York City. She currently resides in Brunswick, ME.