Toronto – April 3, 2025 – The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Clara MacKay, will be stepping down later this year after eight years at the helm. Under Clara’s leadership, the Coalition has expanded its global community of advocacy organizations, launched important study initiatives that provide data to encourage prioritization of ovarian cancer in health policy globally, and engaged new sponsors to support our shared vision of a world where everyone at risk of, or living with, ovarian cancer has the best possible chance of survival and quality of life, no matter where they live.
Robin Cohen, Chair of the Coalition’s Board of Directors states, “We are deeply grateful for the visionary leadership and unwavering dedication Clara has brought to our organization. Her innovative spirit and commitment to excellence has shaped the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, expanding our reach and increasing our work’s impact around the globe. As she embarks on this new chapter, we wish Clara continued success and know that her legacy will resonate with us for many years to come.”
Clara MacKay joined the Coalition in 2017. Under her guidance and leadership, the Coalition has grown to be a world-leading advocacy organization raising awareness, supporting advocacy and influencing health policy of ovarian cancer.
Accomplishments of the Coalition in the last eight years under Clara’s leadership include;
- Launched The Every Woman Study 2018 Edition and completed the Every Woman Study LMIC Edition in 2024. This means over 4000 women worldwide, living with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, have shared their experiences – representing the largest-ever global survey of women with the disease. The objective was simple: to address the evidence gap and identify a way forward to ensure the best chance of survival and the best quality of life for women with ovarian cancer.
- Launched the first-of-its-kind study, The Socioeconomic Burden of Ovarian Cancer in 11 Countries Study, that reveals the significant costs and defines actions needed to improve survival and quality of life for ovarian cancer patients and their caregivers.
- Joined with IGCS to formalize a Strategic Advocacy Partnership to work together on the Every Woman Study LMIC Edition.
- Publication of a landmark White Paper addressing the critical challenges and innovative strategies required to tackle hereditary ovarian cancer globally. The report highlights a number of key recommendations aimed at closing gaps in access to genetic testing, leveraging innovative technologies, and addressing disparities across healthcare systems.
- Appointment of Global Ambassadors to help close gaps in ovarian cancer outcomes. Global Ambassadors support the Coalition’s in its efforts to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, tackle low health literacy, and empower women across the world to take action to improve equitable access to high-quality, affordable care for ovarian cancer.
Clara MacKay, CEO, remarked, “Working for this remarkable organization for the past eight years has been a great privilege and the highlight of my career. I am quite proud of the many programs and studies we have launched and equally grateful to our team, our board, our advocacy organization partners, patient ambassadors and sponsors for their partnership and commitment to our mission.”