METAvivor is excited to announce the newest additions to our Board of Directors, who bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and commitment to advancing our mission. Each member shares our dedication to improving the lives of those living with metastatic breast cancer and will play an essential role in guiding METAvivor’s advocacy, research funding, and outreach efforts.
Kelly Shanahan, M.D., President – With 25 years of experience practicing medicine, including serving as hospital Chief of Staff, Kelly has honed key skills such as translating complex medical terminology into plain language, quickly learning and implementing new competencies, and mediating agreements between diverse stakeholders. She is committed to representing METAvivor exclusively, wholeheartedly, and with the tireless dedication that only someone living with MBC can bring.
Alpha Lillstrom Cheng, Vice President – Alpha is an effective voice for advancing federal policy in Washington D.C. with over two decades of experience. She is eager to use her expertise and engage her network of health policy advisors, lawmakers, and advocates to increase MBC-focused research funding and improve policies for individuals with stage IV breast cancer. Since joining the METAvivor Board in 2023, she has led efforts to improve METAvivor's programs and processes so it is better positioned to advocate for policies that drive meaningful improvements in research, access to care, and addressing the financial challenges faced by individuals living with MBC. She is honored to serve on METAvivor's Executive Committee for a second year in a row.
Jamil Rivers, Treasurer – Jamil is a leading advocate for people of color (POC) with cancer. As a trailblazing activist for racially equitable cancer care, she has empowered thousands of patients to overcome disparities in treatment through the organization she founded. Her efforts have also guided cancer centers in identifying and addressing race-based gaps in services.
Amy Beumer, Ph.D., Secretary - Amy has been living with metastatic breast cancer since 2020 and became active in advocacy shortly thereafter. Her main goal as an advocate is to the use the skills she gained as an academic, scientist, and educator to serve the MBC community. Amy has been a METAvivor Peer to Peer co-leader since 2021, started reviewing grants as a patient advocate in 2022, and began serving on the Board in 2024. During her time on the Board, she has been active in the Peer to Peer, Technology, and Research Committees, as well as helping to plan and implement the Board's strategic retreat. Amy is excited by the positive changes METAvivor is making and is eager to help sustain and grow this momentum by serving on the Executive Committee.
We are thrilled to welcome these remarkable individuals to the METAvivor Board and look forward to the impact they will make in driving meaningful change for the metastatic breast cancer community.
Stay tuned for updates and initiatives as we continue to strengthen our advocacy and research efforts with the guidance of our new leadership!
Meet the rest of the Board of Directors HERE.
