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Equity-focused Healthcare Policy Strategist Joins Respected Nonprofit, Bolsters Efforts to Break Down Barriers to Cancer Care
Cancer Support Community Names Daneen Sekoni as Vice President, Policy & Advocacy
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 3, 2023 — The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is pleased to welcome Daneen Sekoni as VP, Policy & Advocacy, effective Jan. 3, 2024. Ms. Sekoni comes to CSC with more than a decade of experience in healthcare regulatory and policy topics, including health equity, provider reimbursement, payment and delivery system reform, and the Affordable Care Act — all with a focus on breaking down barriers to care for patients. Ms. Sekoni is well-positioned to lead the policy and advocacy efforts of CSC, an organization whose mission is to uplift and strengthen cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care through education, research, and advocacy.
Most recently, Ms. Sekoni was Associate Vice President of Advocacy at Healthsperien LLC, a nationally recognized healthcare policy consulting firm, where she established a new advocacy function within the firm. Her many other accomplishments at Healthsperien include serving as the staff lead for the MultiCancer Early Detection (MCED) Consortium’s Health Equity Workgroup and leading the Policy and Advocacy team for the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, where she provided strategic direction and policy analysis on issues including mental health, caregivers, and social connection. During her tenure, she also developed and nurtured robust relationships with members of Congress, regulatory agencies, coalitions, and other key stakeholders.
“Cancer Support Community is at the forefront of empowering and advancing the voices, experiences, and perspectives of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. It is an honor to lead CSC’s policy and advocacy efforts and advance initiatives that ensure those voices continue to shape policymaking,” said Ms. Sekoni. “My goal is for our healthcare and social system to be grounded in equity for all people impacted by a cancer diagnosis. I look forward to partnering with federal and state policymakers on advancing a system that is truly representative and inclusive.”
Previously, Ms. Sekoni served as Director of Health Care Reform Policy at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association where she championed the association’s national advocacy strategy related to essential health benefits, alternative payment models, health equity and nondiscrimination in healthcare. Her efforts led to patients gaining access to habilitation and rehabilitation services and receiving in every health insurance plan’s Summary of Benefits & Coverage the details of what services are covered and how many are covered. In addition, Ms. Sekoni worked to promote and protect the healthcare rights of all patients and caregivers by ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities had the availability of language assistance services and/or auxiliary aids and services to enable them to identify themselves, participate in and understand their healthcare.
Ms. Sekoni started her career in policy with the American Society for Radiation Oncology. She also worked as Regulatory Affairs Manager at the American Academy of Neurology, where she oversaw policy issues including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
“I lost my mom to breast cancer the day after I graduated from college, which was single-handedly one of the hardest moments in my life. As an only child and her caregiver, I was overwhelmed by helping her navigate her cancer treatments,” recalled Ms. Sekoni. “Every person is unique and so is their experience, so I envision an environment where people impacted by cancer have the resources, support, and policies they need to enable them to thrive and to be engaged in society. I firmly believe that this can only be accomplished by bringing together patients, policymakers, and other stakeholders.”
“I believe that Daneen’s work in strategic and tactical health policy, coupled with her foundational policy experience in oncology, make her a great addition to our team. I am particularly excited about her experience and passion for advocating for both patients and caregivers, and our advancing health equity in cancer care,” said CSC CEO Sally Werner.
About the Cancer Support Community
The Cancer Support Community is a global nonprofit that uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer. We are dedicated to fostering a community where people find connection, compassion, and knowledge. We provide professionally led support and navigation services, along with social connections and award-winning education — when, where and how impacted individuals prefer throughout their cancer experience. These resources are available at 190 Cancer Support Community, Gilda’s Club, and healthcare partner locations as well as online and over the phone — all at no cost. We amplify the voices of those impacted by cancer through research and advocacy and create solutions that break down barriers to care and close the healthcare gap for communities whose members are disproportionately affected by cancer.
Daneen Sekoni
Daneen has more than a decade of experience in healthcare regulatory and policy topics, including provider reimbursement, payment and delivery system reform, and the Affordable Care Act. In addition, she has international healthcare experience related to developing HIV/AIDS provider networks.
Daneen joined Cancer Support Community after working as Associate Vice President of Advocacy at Healthsperien LLC, a nationally recognized healthcare policy consulting firm, where she established a new advocacy function within the firm. In this role, she served as the staff lead for the MultiCancer Early Detection (MCED) Consortium’s Health Equity Workgroup and led the Policy and Advocacy team for the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, where she provided strategic direction, policy analysis, and execution of the Coalition’s advocacy strategy on priority areas such as mental health, caregiving, and social connection. During her tenure, she also developed and nurtured robust relationships with members of Congress, regulatory agencies, coalitions, and other key stakeholders.
Previously, Daneen served as Director of Health Care Reform Policy at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, where she championed the association’s national advocacy strategy related to essential health benefits, alternative payment models, health equity, and nondiscrimination in healthcare. Her efforts led to patients gaining access to habilitation and rehabilitation services and receiving in every health insurance plan’s Summary of Benefits & Coverage the details of what services are covered and how many are covered. In addition, Daneen worked to promote and protect the healthcare rights of all patients and caregivers by ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities had the availability of language assistance services and/or auxiliary aids and services to enable them to identify themselves, participate in and understand their healthcare.
Prior to that position, Daneen worked as Regulatory Affairs Manager at the American Academy of Neurology, where she oversaw policy issues including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Daneen started her career in health policy with the American Society for Radiation Oncology, where she analyzed payer coverage, coding, and reimbursement policies for radiation oncology services.
Daneen, a native Marylander, graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Health Science degree. She also has a master’s degree in Health Services Administration, with a concentration in health policy, from George Washington University. She enjoys spending time and creating memories with her husband and two children.
1Sekoni
Vice President, Policy & Advocacy
Esteemed Oncology Nurse Brings Bold and Innovative Vision as New CEO of Respected Nonprofit
Sally Werner, RN, BSN, MSHA, Has Been Named CEO of Cancer Support Community
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 2, 2024 — Cancer Support Community (CSC), the largest nonprofit network of professionally led cancer support worldwide, announced today the appointment of Sally Werner as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Ms. Werner succeeds Debbie Weir, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of patients, caregivers, and families in advancing the mission of the Cancer Support Community. Ms. Werner’s substantial experience in cancer care — as an oncology nurse, health administrator, and organizational leader — and her long-term dedication to CSC’s network of over 196 locations encompassing CSC and Gilda’s Clubs locations, position her to lead the organization into the future.
“As Cancer Support Community continues to expand and serve more individuals in need, we are thrilled to have Sally’s expertise and vision to guide our organization in meeting people where they are in their cancer experience and uplifting and strengthening people impacted by cancer,” said Rich Mutell, Chair of CSC’s Board of Directors. “We look forward to a seamless transition as Sally enters her seventh year at our headquarters organization and takes the helm as we seek to foster compassionate support communities across the globe.”
Ms. Werner brings more than 25 years’ experience in oncology care to the role, as well as an innovative and bold vision for the organization. Her relationship with CSC began in 2010 as a member of the Board of Trustees at Gilda’s Club Quad Cities. In 2016, she became the local organization's CEO at the request of her fellow board members. In 2017, CSC’s Headquarters leadership recruited Ms. Werner to join their team, where she has held positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently, Ms. Werner served as Chief Experience Officer, supporting all aspects of service delivery at CSC, including health equity initiatives, network partners, the Cancer Support Helpline, educational and training offerings, program development, research, technology partnerships, and strategic growth. Ms. Werner and her team have ensured that the mission of CSC’s Institute for Excellence in Psychosocial Care is carried out with fidelity in local communities across the globe.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Werner held a variety of leadership roles in oncology and health administration. She had oversight of all aspects of clinical cancer care for multistate hospital and healthcare systems and led home care, hospice, and palliative care service lines as well. In these positions, she had executive strategic and operational oversight of clinical care, including quality, regulatory, finance, marketing, and human resources.
Ms. Werner holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Winona State University and a Master of Science in Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. She serves on the Steering Committee for CancerX, sits on the Board of Directors for the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), chairing their Advocacy & Outreach Committee, and is a member of the Policy Committee for the National Navigation Roundtable. She also serves on the Standards Committee for the Commission on Cancer. She previously served as the Deputy Chair, Care Delivery Workgroup, for the Multicancer Early Detection (MCED) Consortium and as the Chair of the Survivorship Committee for the Comprehensive Cancer Control National Partnership (CCCNP).
“I am thrilled to step into the role of CEO at the Cancer Support Community, an organization that is a relentless ally for anyone managing the realities of a cancer diagnosis,” said Ms. Werner. “As someone who has cared for cancer patients and their caregivers across their entire cancer experience, I understand firsthand the pressing need to provide quality, psychosocial support, when and where it is needed. Millions of people already benefit from the critical services CSC provides. I look forward to working with our leadership team, incredibly passionate and capable staff, and network partners to build on where we are today and ensure that our services can reach anyone with a need, wherever they are on their personal cancer journey.”
About the Cancer Support Community
The Cancer Support Community is a global nonprofit that uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer. We are dedicated to fostering a community where people find connection, compassion, and knowledge. We provide professionally led support and navigation services, along with social connections and award-winning education — when, where, and how impacted individuals prefer throughout their cancer experience. These resources are available at 196 Cancer Support Community, Gilda’s Club, and healthcare partner locations as well as online and over the phone — all at no cost. We amplify the voices of those impacted by cancer through research and advocacy and create solutions that break down barriers to care and close the healthcare gap for communities whose members are disproportionately affected by cancer.
Madi Smith
Smith
