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Nicola Garcia
Nicola Garcia is a North Carolina native with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from East Carolina University. Currently based in Yuma, Arizona, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health from Grand Canyon University, with an expected graduation date of Spring 2025. With extensive experience in healthcare administration, Nicola has held roles that range from managing federally qualified health centers to coordinating home health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her career is marked by a commitment to building relationships, supporting underserved populations, and fostering equitable access to healthcare.
As the former Practice Manager of a community health center, Nicola was instrumental in implementing safety protocols, overseeing data-driven improvements, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. In addition to managing the clinic, her work on multiple committees, including Emergency Preparedness, Quality Assurance, and Policy and Procedures, has strengthened her skills in patient support systems and performance improvement. She is excited to bring her skills and dedication to Cancer Support Community as the Helpline and Strategic Growth Coordinator and looks forward to deepening her impact by expanding her expertise in patient advocacy and resource coordination, helping to build stronger support networks for those facing cancer.
Outside of work, Nicola is an avid traveler who enjoys spending time with her newlywed husband, family, friends, and dog. She loves to read and create various forms of art.
Garcia
Coordinator, Helpline and Strategic Growth
Award-Winning Nonprofit Leader Joins Cancer Support Community with Vision to Expand Access to Vital Support Services
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 2024 — The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is pleased to welcome Lisa E. Ireland as Executive Vice President, External Relations, effective November 4, 2024. CSC’s mission is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities and breaking down barriers to care. Ms. Ireland comes to CSC with more than 25 years of nonprofit experience in administration, fundraising, donor engagement, communications and strategic marketing, and finance.
“I strongly believe in the transformative power of philanthropy,” Ms. Ireland said. “I am deeply dedicated to upholding the mission of the organizations I serve, viewing it as a guiding principle that informs my decisions and actions, and I am committed to connecting donors with organizations they wish to support.”
CSC CEO Sally Werner is thrilled about Ms. Ireland joining the CSC team. “I am very impressed with her exceptional success in building and leading high-performing teams, securing vital financial resources, and elevating organizational reputation. Her proven record of developing and leading a comprehensive, diversified development strategy, combined with her demonstrated ability to execute an integrated marketing plan that enhances brand awareness, will be vital as we work to amplify CSC’s mission and initiatives.”
Over the course of her career, Ms. Ireland has experienced and adapted to dramatic changes in how the nonprofit sector operates, including the increased pursuit of partnerships and collaborations to address societal challenges, along with the more common use of technology to support nonprofits’ abilities to make data-driven decisions, boost operations, and increase transparency and outreach.
Ms. Ireland’s career spans diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, human services, and science. Prior to joining CSC, she led global operations for the Longevity Science Foundation, an international nonprofit that funds research to expand the healthy human lifespan. Her previous roles include Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Executive Director of United Way of Orleans County.
“Each nonprofit I have worked for holds personal significance to me, which, in turn, has helped me make meaningful contributions to their cause,” Ms. Ireland observed. Ms. Ireland lost both of her parents to cancer. “I can remember the moment when each of my parents was diagnosed. So, cancer has always been a very big piece of who I am, personally and professionally, going back to my very first job as senior director of development at Hospice of Orleans.”
Reflecting on joining CSC, Ms. Ireland shared: “I'm excited to support an organization that wants to deliver on its mission so strongly and is really focused on how we can better support those that need us. At the same time, I’m looking forward to supporting CSC’s network partners, who are providing essential services to impacted people in their local community.”
Ms. Ireland currently serves as an advisory board member for the Canandaigua National Bank and Trust, which is the only local, full-service, community-owned financial institution in the Rochester area. She also serves on the board and is the development chair at Miss Julie's School of Beauty, a nonprofit cosmetology school that empowers survivors of human trafficking through vocational training.
Her public engagements include a keynote address at the U.S. Library of Congress and talks at top-tier institutions such as the University of Oxford. She also recently gave the closing keynote address at the CASE Conference for Corporate and Foundation Relations Officers. In March 2024, she was selected by Rochester Business Journal as a 2024 Women of Excellence honoree. In the same month, she was recognized by South Florida Business and Wealth magazine with a Prestigious Women Awards 2024.
“If I look across the spectrum of my career, every organization I’ve joined makes an impact on the community and the people in that community. At the end of the day, I want to know that I've made a difference in my community.”
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.