About the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Chair

Annwen Jones OBE

Annwen is Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity, which she helped establish in 2008. A multi award winning charity, it has the ambitious aim of doubling ovarian cancer survival through improving diagnosis, funding research and providing vital support to women with ovarian cancer.

Annwen is also Chair of the Board of Directors of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. She was a co-founder of the Coalition, the first of its kind, in 2016 and co-chaired the Expert Advisory Panel for the seminal Every Woman Study™️, published in 2018. She has also served on the Steering Group of ENGAGE, the European Network of Gynaecological Cancer Groups.

Annwen has over 25 years’ experience of leadership, strategy, and management in the non-profit sector. Her several leadership roles include Chief Executive of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, working in the UK and globally to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes; Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action; and on the Board of the Association of Medical Research Charities, the leading voice of UK medical research charities. In 2014 she was appointed by NHS England to the Cancer Drugs Fund Board to represent the interests of people with less common cancers and help them to gain access to new cancer drugs.

Annwen holds an MBA from Henley Business School. She has also studied non-profit leadership at Harvard Business School and is an alumnus of, and guest speaker for, the Windsor Leadership Group, an executive leadership development group founded by the late HRH The Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Annwen was awarded an OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2019 for services to charity.

“I was honoured to be part of the team that co-founded World Ovarian Cancer Day in 2013 because of the urgent need to raise awareness of this much-neglected cancer on a global scale. The establishment of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is a major step forward because I believe that by working together – speaking with a single voice 365 days of the year – we can achieve even more for woman affected by this disease.”

Vice-Chair

Jane Hill

Jane is CEO of Ovarian Cancer Australia, the National consumer organization taking action for women affected by ovarian cancer. She is also Co-Chair of the Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance and a Member of the Expert Steering Committee on the National Preventative Health Strategy for Australia and Vice-Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Jane has 20 years experience in non-profit leadership. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and author of KPMG’s flagship publication, The Company Director’s Toolkit. Before embarking on her career in non-profit leadership, Jane studied Arts/Law, followed by an MBA, and post-graduate studies in marketing and corporate governance.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be a part of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Board of Directors. Working together we strive for global improvements for ovarian cancer on all fronts – awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.”

Treasurer

Tammy Brown

Tammy is an emeritus director of Ovarian Cancer Canada and a past director of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

“I am honoured to be a member of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Board and to be part of this global movement to tackle ovarian cancer. I am encouraged by the commitment and spirit of this movement.”

Board Member

Rafe Sadnan Adel

Rafe Sadnan Adel has been working to develop cancer-related awareness among people since 2014. He is the founding chairperson of cancerbd.net, the first-ever web-based initiative to raise awareness about cancer in Bangladesh.

Adel began his career as a journalist and has served mainstream media as both reporter and presenter for over a decade. As an investigative journalist, Adel roamed around remote areas of Bangladesh so that people get the right information in any disaster or emergencies.

As a journalist, he covered international conferences including the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA), The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), BRICS (acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

For over a decade, Adel constantly nurtured himself and enhanced his networking skills, and this is why he chose Communications as a future career. Most recently, was is the Head of Media and External Relations at the world’s largest humanitarian organization, BRAC. During the covid-19 pandemic, Adel tried his best for awareness-raising on crucial issues through different communication channels. Adel has returned to his roots as a journalist in Bangladesh.

I am very proud to be a part of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Board of Directors. Thanks for giving me the unprecedented opportunity to join the global action. I do strongly believe, together we can annihilate the disease.

Board Member

Runcie C.W. Chidebe

Runcie C.W. Chidebe is a cancer control advocate, global health consultant, researcher, psychologist and the executive director of Project PINK BLUE. He is one of the leading voices advocating for Nigeria government to make cancer control a national health priority. He has been engaged in supporting women battling with cancer, hosting oncology trainings for doctors/nurses, fundraising for indigent patients, cancer awareness, founded Nigeria’s first patient navigation and the first cancer support group in Abuja, Nigeria.

He is a Member, Nigeria’s ministerial committee on the implementation of National Cancer Control Programme (2018-2022), National Cervical Cancer Programme for the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health; Global Steering Committee for the Novartis Peer Navigation Programme for metastatic breast cancer, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Day Advisory Group and an external board member of the Birmingham & Lewisham African & Caribbean Health Inequalities Review, United Kingdom.

As a result of his patient advocacy work in Africa, Runcie has been recognised globally, including nobel Nelson Mandela -Graca Machel innovation award, UICC Young Cancer Leader Award, U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Catherine Peugeot Research Award, France; Global Ties U.S. Award for Social Innovation and Change by the U.S. Government, 4o Under 40 in Cancer globally, Distinguished Advocacy Award by International Gynecologic Cancer Society, USA; Faces of Exchange awardalongside the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinta Ardern and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteras by the U.S. Department of State and many other laurels across Europe, America and across Africa.

“I am incredibly delighted to join the board of World Ovarian Cancer Coalition; it is a dynamic opportunity to support and advocate for more diversity in research on women impacted by ovarian cancer globally. I believe that where a woman live should not determine whether she lives or dies from ovarian cancer”

Emeritus Director

Elisabeth Baugh

Elisabeth Baugh’s achievements over 20 years as CEO at Ovarian Cancer Canada include merging two charities to create one voice for ovarian cancer in 2007, raising the organization to a national presence with six regional offices, development of education and awareness programs and mission oversight.

Elisabeth chaired the first-ever World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8, 2013. This event now boasts more than 140 organizational participants from more than 30 countries, and has led to formal establishment of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, of which Elisabeth is also past Chair and Board Member. Globally she is active on a number of Patient Advisory Boards.

Previously, Elisabeth was Executive Director for 10 years at AboutFace, a national organization she co-founded dedicated to helping individuals with facial differences. Elisabeth is a recipient of the Order of Ontario and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and been recognized three times as one of Canada’s Top 100 Women for her achievements in the charitable sector.  In 2020 and 2021 Elisabeth was nominated for an RBC Woman of Influence Award.

“The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s vision is to ensure the best possible survival, and the best possible quality of life for every woman with ovarian cancer – wherever they are. The task of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Board of Directors is to unite the ovarian cancer community across the world to make this happen. I am proud to be part of this movement and inspired by all that we work with.”

Emeritus Director

Robin Cohen

Robin Cohen is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation and a Vice-Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and the Cambridge Who’s Who. She has been recognized as one of the 75 Greatest Living Philadelphians. She has served on the board of directors of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance for the last seven years and is now the Vice President of the Board of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.

“I am excited about being part of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and the opportunity to join forces with supporters from around the world to draw attention to this disease. Globally, ovarian cancer is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women and is responsible for 140,000 deaths each year. I am part of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition because I believe that the time has come for global action.”

Scientific Communications Advisor

Eva Schumacher-Wulf

Eva Schumacher-Wulf is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the German ovarian cancer magazine “Mamma Mia!” as well as a breast cancer magazine and other publications. The quarterly magazines are for ovarian and breast cancer patients, as well as for doctors, nurses and anyone else involved with this disease. The magazines provide medical information, and psychological support, including articles about nutrition, sports and healthy lifestyles. Eva also contributes to the Mamma Mia! website and to social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Eva was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 at the age of 34, when her boys were one and four years old. Prior to founding and working for Mamma Mia! Eva worked for the Israeli government tourism office in Berlin as a spokesperson for 12 years. She has a master’s degree in tourism from the University of Trier, a degree in public relations from the Academy DAPR and a degree in social media from the Deutsche Presseakademie.

“I am very happy about the opportunity to join the Board of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Being connected to other organizations helps our efforts to create awareness and to support women living with ovarian cancer. In Europe, one of the key challenges is to ensure that all women with ovarian cancer are being treated in specialized centres. I believe through the WOCC we can help address these kinds of challenges. I also strongly believe that society still does not know enough about ovarian cancer. We need a Coalition like this to create greater public awareness of this disease around the world.

Kenya

HE Dorothy Nyong’o

Mrs. Dorothy Nyong’o, the Managing Trustee of Africa Cancer Foundation, is the First Lady of Kisumu County and Director of 7th Sense Communications Limited. She is a PR consultant and holds an Executive MSc in Organisational Development from the United States International University (Nairobi), a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communications and a BA Hons (French, Political Science) from the University of Nairobi.

Nigeria

HE Dr. Zainab Bagudu

Dr. Zainab Bagudu, is a Consultant Paediatrician and an advocate for women’s health, with a particular focus on cancer, often referred as the mother of health in her native, Kebbi State. n her role as the First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr Bagudu is working with the state ministries of health, education, and women affairs to implement programmes to sustainably improve menstrual hygiene, girl-child education, economic empowerment of women, and put an end to gender-based violence.

USA/UK

Dr. Deborah Harkness

In addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Deborah Harkness is a professor of history and teaches European history and the history of science at the University of Southern California She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College (B.A., 1986), Northwestern University (M.A., 1990), and the University of California, Davis (Ph.D., 1994). Harkness also studied abroad at Oxford University. She is a well-regarded historian of science and medicine, as well as having studied alchemy, magic and the occult.

Chief Executive Officer

Clara MacKay

CEO of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Clara MacKay has nearly 20 years of experience in cancer advocacy, including senior level positions in UK organizations covering ovarian, pancreatic, bowel, prostate and breast cancer. Clara was a founding member of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition and Chair of Cancer 52– a network of nearly 100 cancer groups representing the interests of rare and less common cancers. In 2015 she was appointed to an Independent Cancer Taskforce established by NHS England to develop a five-year strategy for cancer services. After 25 years in the UK, Clara returned to her native Nova Scotia, Canada in 2016. In addition to her role with the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Clara is appointed Chair of the national Canadian charity Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society.

Clara has a BA in Politics and History from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.

Director of Programmes and Every Woman Study™ Lead

Frances Reid

Frances Reid has been the Programme Director for the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition since 2017. In that time, Frances devised and led the peer-reviewed Every Woman Study™ (2018) charting global experiences of women with ovarian cancer. Findings from this study informed her work as the lead on the Coalition’s Global Ovarian Cancer Charter, launched at the Presidential Plenary of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society Annual Meeting in September 2020. Frances is now leading the newest version of the Study – The Every Woman Study™: Low- and Middle-Income Edition.

Her work with women who have ovarian cancer began in 2003. In 2008, Frances co-founded Target Ovarian Cancer in the UK where she worked as Director of Public Affairs and Services. The power of patient experience and voices are fundamental to her work, and have been transformative in bringing together patient, clinical and policy viewpoints. She developed the Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study, the results inspiring the establishment of an All Party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer, and informed a raft of policy decisions and targeted interventions to improve survival and quality of life for women.

Frances has what she would describe as a ‘blended career’, including 14 years at the BBC primarily as a radio programme maker, an entrepreneur with a home-based micro-bakery and teaching bread making skills, and as a freelance consultant centred on patient experience and impact reporting.

Director of Communications and Marketing

Phaedra Charlton

Phaedra Charlton MCIM is the Director of Communications and Marketing for the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition.  Phaedra has had a varied career since receiving her BA in Communication Studies from Concordia University in Montreal in 1997.  Initially working for several years in the major motion picture industry in Accounting, Phaedra looked for more fulfilling roles and transitioned into public administration and later entrepreneurship, always with a focus on communications, marketing, and design.  In addition to her work with the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Phaedra assists other charitable and publicly minded organizations on an ad hoc basis with their messaging and marketing. Phaedra is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Finance Manager

Javeria Zaman CPA, CA

Javeria Zaman is working as the Finance Manager of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Javeria is a CPA, CA who started her career with a public accounting firm and then moved on to the nonprofit sector, working in leadership roles at international nonprofit organizations covering issues such as awareness, advocacy, education, and healthcare. She has also worked in the public sector managing financial planning and analysis for Canada’s largest senior housing operator. Her approach to work is to always look for ways to do things more efficiently and effectively leveraging technology and process automation. In her previous roles, she has been part of software implementations from design to installation. In addition to working with the Coalition Javeria also regularly works with other charities and nonprofits both as a consultant and as a volunteer helping them with their finances.

Javeria also enjoys public speaking. She has represented her organization on international forums, conducted training on different topics related to finance as well as acted as master of ceremony for an event held for members of the legislative assembly which was broadcast live on television.

Communications and Marketing Officer

Bill West

Bill is the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s Communications and Marketing Officer. After graduating from the University for the Creative Arts in 2013 with a 2:1 in Sports Journalism, Bill initially worked in a number of roles across different industries, with a career in communications and marketing still the ambition. After a communications role in education, Bill moved into the charity sector, including a post at one of the Coalition’s Partners, Target Ovarian Cancer.

Policy Consultant

Mikis Euripides

Experienced Senior Director with a demonstrated history of working in the health sector. Experience of working in the pharmaceutical industry and patient groups at a senior level. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Public Affairs, Corporate Social Responsibility, Crisis Communications, and Event Management. Strong business development professional with a Master of Science (MSc) focused in Global Politics from Birkbeck, University of London.

Research Assistant

Anmol Bajwa, MPH

Masters in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. My research interests include the role of analysis in the formation of health policy, cross-national comparisons of health systems, and how policies affect barriers and access to health care. Over the past few years, I worked with the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition to conduct qualitative research to investigate factors that affect ovarian cancer health access and outcomes in 24 countries as part of the Every Woman Study™: LMIC Edition. Currently, I am working with Infosys Consulting as a Healthcare and Life Sciences Consultant.