NCCS Welcomes Lisa Montez and Stephen Whisnant to Board of Directors

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Montez and Stephen Whisnant to its Board of Directors. Both are cancer survivors who bring exceptional experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.

Lisa Montez

Lisa Montez serves as Senior Counsel of Philanthropy and Impact Investments at Builders Vision. In this role, she guides Builders Initiative’s use of philanthropic tools to maximize social impact and provides advice on legal matters related to foundation compliance, governance policies, grantmaking, and general corporate affairs.

Previously, Lisa served as General Counsel for the Walton Family Foundation and Deputy General Counsel and assistant secretary at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Her experience also includes work at the McCormick Foundation and at Chapman and Cutler’s Chicago office, where she specialized in public finance law focused on bond financing and securitization of tax-exempt status.

Lisa is a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking for friends and family, traveling, and exploring her neighborhood with her dog Kopper. She is a cancer survivor and lost her father to lung cancer.

“It is such an honor and privilege to join the NCCS Board,” said Montez. “I am looking forward to supporting the organization’s important voice and community.”

Stephen Whisnant

Stephen Whisnant is the founder and managing director of Stephen Whisnant Strategies, LLC, a boutique consulting firm established in 2014 that provides philanthropic services to individuals, organizations, and charitable foundations. His impressive career includes serving as Director of Philanthropy at the National Democratic Institute, Managing Director for the United States Olympic Committee, and Campaign Director for the “Building for Peace Campaign” of the United States Institute of Peace, where he led a $186 million campaign.

With extensive experience in fund development and nonprofit leadership, Whisnant previously served as Vice President at Venture Philanthropy Partners and as Senior Director of Development for Paul Allen and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. His higher education experience spans fourteen years as a senior development officer at institutions including Harvard University and Davidson College.

In 1993, Whisnant founded World T.E.A.M. Sports, serving as its Executive Director/CEO for eleven years. This organization earned recognition for advancing educational and medical initiatives through sports programming for persons with disabilities. His work there included overseeing four documentary films, including the Emmy Award-winning “Vietnam, Long Time Coming.”

Whisnant holds degrees from the University of North Carolina and Harvard University, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including as a founding director of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

“As a cancer survivor, I am honored to be a part of the family and friends who do the good work at the Coalition–an organization I was formally introduced to, back in 1999,” said Whisnant. “Ellen Stovall was someone I admired greatly in the cancer community, and her vision and good work continues today. I am eager to be a part of it.”

Leadership Comments

“We are thrilled to welcome Lisa and Stephen to the NCCS Board of Directors,” said Laurie Isenberg, NCCS Board Chair. “Their combined expertise in philanthropy, strategic leadership, and nonprofit governance will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of advocating for quality cancer care for all. Their passion for our cause and their impressive backgrounds make them excellent additions to our leadership team.”

Shelley Fuld Nasso, NCCS CEO, added, “Lisa and Stephen each bring unique perspectives and deep experience that will strengthen our organization’s ability to serve cancer survivors and their families. Their commitment to our mission is evident, and I look forward to working with them to enhance our programs and extend our reach in the cancer community.”

Read more about NCCS’s Board of Directors »