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2025 Elevate Ambassadors
NCCS selected 11 individuals from across the United States to serve as Elevate Ambassadors. The Elevate Ambassadors receive mentorship, support, networking opportunities, and training to develop and execute a plan-of-action for their project to serve their local or virtual community.
Find out below how the 2025 NCCS Elevate Ambassadors are working to improve cancer care in their community.
Ritu Amarnani | Washington, DC
Olivia Burzoni, MPA | Topeka, Kansas
Amelia Corl, MPH | Denver, Colorado
Kristie Fields, MHS | Suffolk, Virginia
Gitte Joergensen, PhD | Coventry, Connecticut
Jessie Lindemann, MD | Fargo, North Dakota
Sami Mansfield | Denver, Colorado
Shay Moraga | Palm Desert, California
Mirta Sanchez Rios | Groveland, Florida
Jennifer Thompson MDiv, PhD | Chicago, Illinois
Eshan Vishwakarma | Glen Allen, Virginia
Ritu Amarnani
Washington, DC
Ritu Amarnani is a third year medical student at Georgetown School Of Medicine. Her interest in medicine, particularly oncology, began when she volunteered at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. In the Cancer ICU, she helped organize parties in the common room, encouraging children to socialize with one another and the volunteers. Within a few months of Ritu’s time as a volunteer, her younger sister, Sahana, was diagnosed with leukemia, and became a patient in the same unit. While Sahana is no longer with us, her passing would change the trajectory of Ritu’s life.
In the aftermath, Ritu applied to college, attending Northeastern University. During this time, she worked in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, caring for leukemia and lymphoma patients. While she expected she might feel afraid or emotional, Ritu found she loved working alongside cancer patients, inspired by their strength and sense of humor.
After graduating, Ritu became a medical student, pursuing opportunities related to cancer survivorship research. Under NCCS, she is excited to spearhead her own project to support cancer patients like her younger sister.
Olivia Burzoni, MPA
Topeka, Kansas
Olivia Burzoni, MPA, serves as the Comprehensive Cancer Program Manager at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and provides staff support to the Kansas Cancer Partnership (KCP), the state’s cancer coalition.
Her journey as a cancer caregiver began in 2020 while she was in graduate school when her father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Balancing her studies, career, and caregiving responsibilities, Olivia quickly realized that cancer care extends beyond medical treatment—it requires supporting the whole person and their loved ones. Experiencing firsthand the challenges her father and family faced profoundly shifted her perspective and ultimately changed her career path.
In 2022, Olivia joined KDHE, where she now plays a key role in advancing comprehensive cancer control across Kansas. Through her leadership, she has strengthened KCP by expanding its membership and fostering a dynamic, collaborative network of professionals and invested individuals dedicated to cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.
Olivia’s personal experience fuels her dedication to easing the burden of cancer for patients, caregivers, and communities. She believes no one should face cancer alone and is committed to improving resources and support for survivors and their families. Olivia is married and has a young child, who she hopes will grow up with his grandpa by his side.
Amelia Corl, MPH
Denver, Colorado
Amelia Corl is a passionate and dedicated advocate, driven by her personal journey as a childhood cancer survivor. With a robust background in clinical research and public health, Amelia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her advocacy work. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from The College of William & Mary.
Amelia’s professional journey includes significant roles at the University of Colorado Anschutz, where she has progressed from an entry-level Research Services Professional to a Program Manager. In these roles, she has led clinical trials, overseen regulatory compliance for numerous research studies, and mentored a diverse team of researchers and trainees. Her work has been recognized with several awards, including the Above and Beyond Award from the CU School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery.
In addition to her professional achievements, Amelia is actively involved in various advisory boards and committees, including the Children’s Cancer Cause Survivorship Advisory Board and the CU School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery Access and Engagement Committee. Her contributions to health promotion and patient advocacy are further highlighted by her publications and presentations on topics such as obesity and cancer survivorship.
Amelia’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing cancer survivorship is unwavering. She continues to leverage her expertise and personal experiences to advocate for survivors, ensuring they receive the support and resources they need to thrive.
Kristie Fields, MHS
Suffolk, Virginia
Kristie Fields has navigated a unique path defined by resilience and a deep commitment to service. As a two-time cancer survivor, having faced both breast and colon cancer diagnoses at a young age, she understands firsthand the challenges that accompany serious illness. This experience ignited her passion to establish PinkSlayer Community Outreach, an organization dedicated to providing essential support and resources to families impacted by cancer.
Kristie’s dedication to improving health outcomes extends beyond personal experience. She pursued a master’s degree in health science, and subsequently, a degree in Human Genetics and Genomics, driven by a desire to contribute to advancements in healthcare and personalized medicine. She believes in the power of knowledge to effect meaningful change within our communities. Her life is enriched by the unwavering support of her husband, Jermaine, and the joy of raising their four children: Jermaine Jr., Treavor, Tierre’, and Jayla. Kristie’s five grandchildren add an immeasurable layer of happiness to my life.
Gitte Joergensen, PhD
Coventry, Connecticut
Gitte was diagnosed with stage 3 lobular breast cancer in March 2020, just seven months after her sister died of metastatic inflammatory breast cancer. Since then, she has become a dedicated research advocate, patient voice, and grant reviewer, collaborating with prestigious organizations such as ASCO’s Conquer Cancer Foundation, the Department of Defense CDMRP, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance (LBCA). She evaluates research proposals, promotes patient-driven studies, collaborates on scientific projects, and raises awareness of cancer, ensuring that patient perspectives are integrated into scientific advancements.
She has completed several highly respected advocate training programs, including NBCC Project LEAD, the AACR Scientist-Survivor Program, the ALAMO Advocate Scholar Program, and the Escape2Thrive Leadership Conference. Gitte also serves as Chair of the Research Working Group for the Advocate Collaborative for Education (ACE), leading initiatives to promote patient-driven research and advocate inclusion.
Professionally, Gitte works in experimental cognitive psychology at UConn, specializing in eye-tracking research across disciplines such as cognitive and social psychology, education, and communication. She is passionate about psycho-social oncology and how patient-driven research can improve cancer care and survivorship.
Jessie Lindemann, MD
Fargo, North Dakota
Jessie Lindemann, MD is a Family Medicine Physician and Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor of 22 years in Fargo, ND. Prior to Jessie’s diagnosis, she was not a physician, and did not want to be one. Her experiences with illness, cancer diagnosis and treatments, and survivorship propelled her to her career as a physician. From being a cancer patient, to medical student, to doctor, to cancer survivor, Jessie has a unique and well-rounded perspective on the current practices in cancer survivorship. This has propelled her towards the positive changes she foresees in her community for cancer survivors. She is looking forward to the support, knowledge, and mentorship that comes with this opportunity.
Sami Mansfield
Denver Colorado
Sami Mansfield is an exercise oncology and lifestyle medicine consultant with endless curiosity and persistence. She started her career in 2003 and immediately knew it was where she wanted to live her professional life.
As the founder of Cancer Wellness for Life, Sami has dedicated her career to empowering cancer survivors and clinicians through innovative, evidence-based programs that improve health outcomes while optimizing cost-efficiency. With diverse experience in clinical practice, research and consulting, she has pioneered sustainable wellness strategies that integrate AI, enhance accessibility, and bridge equity gaps.
Sami’s expertise extends across healthcare organizations, cancer centers, and policy-making initiatives. She is a contributing author to groundbreaking guidelines, including the ASCO Guidelines on Exercise, Nutrition, and Weight Management, and has helped shape numerous state cancer control plans. She is the current chair of the Cancer Member Interest Group for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, where she drives forward initiatives emphasizing the connection between science and implementation. Her patient-facing programs, including weBuild and My Lifestyle Shift have had a global reach, empowering cancer survivors through the pillars of lifestyle medicine to provide tools to implement actionable and accessible habit change.
An engaging speaker and prolific thought leader, Sami inspires audiences worldwide to embrace active lifestyles, highlighting the transformative power of exercise and lifestyle to thrive for not only her patients but her colleagues.
Shay Moraga
Palm Desert, California
Shay Moraga is the founder and CEO of Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering cancer survivors and their families through health, fitness, and the mind-body connection. As a community leader, entrepreneur, and mentor, Shay’s life story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose. On February 11, 2016, at the age of 38, Shay received the life-altering diagnosis of Stage 3 Triple Negative breast cancer—a diagnosis that marked the beginning of a fierce battle, not only physically but mentally. Surrounded by an incredible support system, Shay faced this challenge head-on and by 2018, she was lucky to hear the news every survivor hopes for: No Evidence of Disease. However, instead of celebration, Shay soon encountered the profound loneliness, anxiety and uncertainty of the “Life After Cancer” gap in support that she realized needed to be addressed for not only her own healing but for others. With her unique background as a visionary entrepreneur and trained in multiple integrative healings like yoga, movement, informed trauma, and years of self-practice in meditation, Shay transformed her personal experience into a mission to inspire and uplift others. What began as a candid and heartfelt blog chronicling her journey grew into Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer, a thriving nonprofit focused on cancer survivorship. Through free programs, workshops, and the cherished end-of-year survivorship retreat, Shay’s Warriors fosters both physical and emotional healing for survivors, helping them navigate life after treatment with strength and bond in community.
Mirta Sanchez Rios
Groveland, Florida
Mirta Sanchez Rios was diagnosed with a GIST Tumor and had a Total Gastrectomy in 2015. As a cancer survivor, she wanted to provide support to others. In 2019, Mirta attended “Our Journey of Hope” Leadership Training and acquired the tools necessary to lead a cancer ministry in her community. She is now able to assist patients and their families with a cancer diagnosis, and train bilingual caregivers. Mirta has earned a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in public administration from University of Puerto Rico. She is bilingual in Spanish and English. She retired from Department of Defense where she coordinated and taught programs for military personnel and their families stationed at Roosevelt Roads-Puerto Rico. While at the Naval Hospital, she supervised an Interdisciplinary Team of Early Intervention providers and coordinated services for children with special needs making sure that their developmental and medical needs were met. After retirement, Mirta became a SkillPath Seminars Facilitator where she traveled the United States, Chile and Mexico offering courses in communication, teambuilding, conflict management and confrontation skills. Mirta is married and has a son and daughter and two grandchildren. She spends her free time traveling, attending church and being with her family and friends.
Jennifer Thompson, MDiv, PhD
Chicago, Illinois
Jennifer Thompson has been a faculty member at colleges and universities throughout the East and Midwest. She is also an endometrial cancer survivor. She was “blindsided” by her diagnosis and never wants any woman to through that again. Receiving a life changing diagnosis during the pandemic was an isolating experience. Fortunately, she knew to advocate for herself, making sure a chaplain, nutritionist and therapist were part of her care team from day one. However, her only contacts with them were virtual. What was missing was safe space and connections to others who shared her experience.
Jennifer became involved with Imerman’s Angels, first as a mentee and later as a mentor. Still, something was missing — community. She needed to be involved with not only supporting those affected by endometrial cancer, but also raising awareness, advocacy and research. Through a random internet search, she found ECANA (Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African Americans) and knew she was home.
Since joining ECANA, Jennifer has become part of the core working group, supports others one on one through the First Touch program, helps plan programs and represents ECANA on Patient Advisory councils. She will complete ECANA Ambassador Training soon.
Jennifer has a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies, an M.Div., and an A.M. in Creative Writing and Theatre. She plans to use her background and training to find new, creative ways of giving a voice to and making a difference for women diagnosed with EC.
Jennifer is also a participant in the Black Cancer Collaborative.
Eshan Vishwakarma
Glen Allen, Virginia
Eshan Vishwakarma is a passionate advocate for cancer survivorship care and the founder of www.pathway.care, a virtual telehealth clinic dedicated to supporting cancer survivors. Diagnosed with Stage 3 neuroblastoma at just four years old, Eshan understands firsthand the long-term challenges survivors face, from managing late effects to navigating fragmented healthcare systems.
Currently a student at Harvard, Eshan is leveraging his personal experience and expertise in health tech and entrepreneurship to bridge critical gaps in survivorship care. Through Pathway Care, he is pioneering tech-enabled, patient-centered solutions that streamline the care journey, ensuring survivors receive comprehensive, continuous, and personalized support throughout remission and beyond.
Beyond his work with Pathway, Eshan is a public speaker, content creator, and documentary filmmaker, using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to raise awareness about survivorship issues and the realities of building a health tech startup. With experience founding and scaling an international documentary nonprofit, he brings a deep understanding of storytelling and social impact to his advocacy efforts.
Eshan’s vision is to redefine cancer survivorship care—making it accessible, proactive, and technology-driven. His work is not only about transforming healthcare systems but also about empowering survivors to take control of their long-term health and live fulfilling lives.
2025 Elevating Survivorship Program Supporters
