The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Foundation has appointed three new representatives to its Board of Directors: Heather Kopecky, PhD, MBA; Marc Samuels, JD, MPH; and Susan Stein, MPH. There are currently 15 members of the Board of Directors, responsible for the strategic direction for the NCCN Foundation, which obtains funding to publish the library of NCCN Guidelines for Patients and the NCCN Quick Guide Series, as well as research grants for young investigators at the NCCN member institutions.
Heather Kopecky, PhD, MBA
Dr. Kopecky is a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry International, where she serves as an industry expert in executive search and coaching, as well as a consultant for prominent academic medical centers, multihospital nonprofit health systems, higher education, and professional health-care associations.
Previously, Dr. Kopecky had appointments at Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas, and Texas Women’s University. Dr. Kopecky is currently a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and the National Association of Corporate Directors. She also serves as a volunteer with the Red Cross Disaster Services Human Resources System.
Marc Samuels, JD, MPH
Mr. Samuels is the Chief Executive Officer of ADVI, an advisory services firm to the life science and health-care services sectors with end-to-end strategic offerings and a focus on accelerating growth and increasing value. Previously, Mr. Samuels founded HillCo HEALTH and was a partner in HillCo Partners, which merged with Accelus Health Partners to form ADVI in 2013. He has represented the Texas Society of Clinical Oncology, as well as several oncology physician practices and NCCN member institutions in Texas and other states; he has cowritten many pieces of legislation related to compendia, oral parity, accelerated coverage of biologics, and the Houston Biotechnology Park.
Prior to his work at ADVI and HillCo, Mr. Samuels served both former President George H. W. Bush and then-Texas Governor George W. Bush on health-care issues in the White House Office of Policy Development and Texas Governor’s Office, respectively.
Susan Stein, MPH
Ms. Stein is the Founder and CEO of Connexion Healthcare, a communications company focused on translating complex science into clear and concise scientific communication to educate health-care providers, support clinical decision-making, and improve patient outcomes. Connexion Healthcare serves the world’s leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies through its two Centers of Excellence: Oncology and Rare Disease. Ms. Stein began her career within the pharmaceutical industry, continuing to the agency side before founding Connexion Healthcare.
She is a member of the Drexel School of Public Health Dean’s Advisory Council, Member of the Global Genes Board of Directors, and Co-Chair for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Lemon Ball. ■
