Executive Leadership

Patient Services

Marcia K. Horn, J.D., President and CEO
Ashraf Abdelghany, MD, Director, Research Services and Special Projects

Dr. Ashraf Abdelghany serves as the Director of Research at ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to direct patient navigation and personalized information services for Stage IV cancer patients. In addition to handling major research projects for the Biomarker Collaborative, which is now under the direction of ICAN, Ashraf works with ICAN's various patient organizations--the Exon 20 Group, MET Crusaders, PD-L1 Amplifieds, and NRG1 Energizers, updating members with new drug and clinical trial announcements. He also works with the leadership of ICAN's satellite organizations outside the United States.

In March 2021, Ashraf moved to Barcelona to join SciTech DiploHub as a Research Fellow, a globally recognized think-and-do tank in Science Diplomacy. Backed by leading research centers, universities, nonprofits, startups, corporations, and public institutions, SciTech DiploHub aims to elevate the role of science, technology, and cities in foreign policy.

Previously, Ashraf served as Chairman and Outreach Coordinator at the Egyptian Association of American Medical Training and Research (EAMTAR), where he organized and moderated career advising sessions for Egyptian medical students and graduates pursuing medical residency, fellowships, and research opportunities in the U.S. In January 2014, he initiated a partnership between EAMTAR, EducationUSA, and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, moderating nearly all “Medical Study in the U.S.” events until March 2016. Recognizing his impactful volunteer work, he was nominated by the U.S. Embassy to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in November 2015.

Ashraf has a profound passion for cancer research and public health. In 2017, he was a research fellow at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) in Madrid. His commitment to advancing personalized medicine and translational research led him back to Spain, where he earned a Master’s degree in Personalized Medicine and Translational Research from the University of Granada in 2024.

His dedication to science and health diplomacy is evident in his participation in the 2017 Health Security Futures Fellowship (HSP) in Valencia and Washington, D.C. As a fellow, he developed a health diplomacy project aimed at raising awareness about global health diplomacy among young scientists and medical professionals in Egypt. He presented his project at AAAS’s Science Diplomacy Conference in Washington, D.C. and at the Science Policy Symposium at Rockefeller University in New York. In June 2018, he was selected by the AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy as one of 28 future science diplomats worldwide, representing Egypt and the Middle East at the Science Diplomacy and Leadership Workshop.

Ashraf obtained his medical degree from Al-Azhar University School of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. Currently, he resides in Spain, where he manages and leads international research projects with a diverse team of volunteers.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ashraf enjoys the beach, volleyball, hiking, and traveling across Spain.
Carmi Fazio, RN, MSN, ONS, Director, Oncology Nursing Services

Carmi Fazio, RN MSN ONS, is a registered nurse currently living and working in Niles, Illinois. Her areas of expertise are in oncology and end of life nursing. As an RN, she has worked in oncology since 2006. She received her Associate degree in 2005, her Bachelor's degree in 2012 and a Masters in Nursing Education in 2016. She graduated as a member of the prestigious Golden Key International Honor Society.

Carmi has received many accolades for her work in oncology including Cure Magazine's Extraordinary Healer Award in 2016, OptumCare/United Health Group (UHG) Superhero Award in 2018, a 2018 worldwide leader in healthcare from the International Nursing Association, and the Diamond Award for top professional in oncology nursing for outstanding achievements as a nurse and a cancer care specialist in 2018. She has completed interviews for the Oncology Nursing Society on a variety of oncology issues. She has appeared in CURE Magazine and Fra Noi (an Italian publication) for her achievements in oncology nursing. As Chair of the Oncology Nursing Council at ICAN, she co-authored a presentation for the 46th Annual Congress of Oncology in 2021 titled "Improving Patient Understanding of Testing in Precision Medicine with Consistent, Plain Language Testing Terms."

Carmi works with patients at ICAN who seek counseling for symptom management, side effects, and pain management. When she isn't working, Carmi likes to read and spend time with her siblings, mom, dogs, and friends.
Bonnie O'Day, RN, Patient Advocate

ICAN Patient Advocate Bonnie O’Day is a retired RN, with a background in medical management and the development, implementation, and evaluation of all levels of health and wellness programs.

Over the years, Bonnie has delivered a wide range of patient care, including health assessment, behavior change strategy, health enhancement and maintenance strategy through the implementation of safe and effective wellness goals and plans. She has facilitated lifestyle change of patients by enhancing personal health awareness regarding current health situations and lifestyles, and co-creating environments with the patient that support good health practices by assisting the patient with goal setting to align the patents needs utilizing resource management strategies and resources.

Bonnie strives to works collaboratively with program resources and physicians to develop treatment plans that facilitate personal wellness through a combination of efforts. Her interest is in researching best practices, research outcomes, and observing the effectiveness and performance of the physician/patient relationship.
Susan Johnson, Senior Patient Advocate

Susan joined the Exon 20 Group at ICAN after caring for her late husband throughout his cancer journey. Following a 33-year career with the United States Postal Service, Susan now honors her husband's legacy by supporting others facing similar challenges. As a patient advocate for both ICAN's biomarker support groups, the Exon 20 Group and the MET Crusaders, she offers compassionate guidance to individuals and families at every stage of treatment, helping them navigate complex medical systems and connect with essential resources. Susan lives in Orange County, California, and cherishes time with her grandchildren. For her, everyday is a gift and one that should be celebrated and shared with those they love. Finding joy in all things is a task that she takes seriously.
Kristen Leniz, Chair, Patient and Care Partner Social Media and Chair, Angel Buddy Program

Kristen Leniz, Senior Patient Advocate at ICAN, is a Board-Certified Health Coach with over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. In addition to her work at ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network, and its support groups, she serves as a Behavioral Health Coach at Omada Health where she specializes in behavior change, diabetes prevention and management, hypertension, and nutrition. Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of South Florida. Her advocacy work began in 2018 when her mother, Stella Martinson, was diagnosed with the rare EGFR Exon 20 mutation. In honor of her late mother, Kristen continues to support patients through her involvement with the Exon 20 Group at ICAN. She resides in Lakeland, Florida, with her fiancé Johnny Knotts and daughter Jayde.
Bat-Zvi Patient Advocate, Uri Harel Therapeutic Arts Program
Katina Bland, Patient Advocate and Chair, Under-Resourced Patient Communities and U.S. Access

Katina Bland was the chief care partner for her beloved husband Martell Bland. Together, they founded the Martell and Katina Bland Patient Education Program at ICAN, which is now the organization's central program for ongoing patient and family education in communities of color. Martell was one of the original founders of Blacks at Microsoft. In the last two years of their 20-year marriage, Martell battled EGFR Exon 20 Insertion-mutated Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, with Katina as his chief care partner, working alongside the Exon 20 Group at ICAN.

Katina also chairs the Speakers' Bureau at ICAN. serves as a member of the Exon 20 Group Advisory Council, and has served as ICAN's representative to the FDA since 2021. At the Exon 20 Group and at ICAN, her passions are patient advocacy, health equity, and educating clinicians and scientists about underserved patient communities.

Initially attending the University of California, Riverside, Katina transferred to Irvine Valley College where she received degrees in Business, Education, and Psychology. Katina has founded and successfully managed multiple businesses, provided leadership for various boards, and still serves her community. She and Martel have raised their four active children and she loves spending time with her family. During her early years of child-rearing, Katina began a successful day care and later homeschooled her children. Her favorite pastimes are reading her Bible and enjoying in-depth Bible studies, playing games with, and supporting her four kids in their activities, having quiet time with God, and traveling to her favorite resorts for rest and relaxation.
Andrew J. Brown, Jr., Patient Advocate, Linda Jenckes Public Policy Program
Michele Tate, Patient Advocate, Patient Empowerment and Community Engagement

Michele Tate is an HLRCC (rare kidney cancer) patient advocate who has been working "one on one" with pan-tumor patients, primarily people of color, to help them understand their cancer diagnosis and navigate the healthcare system. She is focusing her efforts on getting patient advocates at the table early in discussions with researchers and pharma and bringing rare kidney cancer awareness to the Black community to increase the community's interest in considering screening for clinical trials. Michele has served as a reviewer for a Department of Defense CDMRP (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs) and has been involved in briefing Members of Congress and their health policy staff about the importance of funding cancer research in the rare cancer space.

She is also active in city government with experience organizing and advocating for equity in housing, education/training, and employment.
Richard Kota, Patient Advocate, Africa

Richard Kota currently works as a Finance Manager at Liberty Resources, Inc in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He works in the Finance and Accounting Department and has oversight responsibilities over the payroll departments at Liberty Resources Inc.

He is originally from Liberia, West Africa and lives with his wife Sando and two of their adult children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Richard has four adult children- Yeye, Richelle, Lizzy and Richard.

Richard and family attend City Light Philly Church regularly where he and his wife faithfully lead Bible studies to a group of men and women on Tuesday nights. Richard has an AAS degree in computer information Systems from the Community College of Philadelphia; BSc in Economics and about six courses away from his Graduate degree.

In his spare time, Richard plays basketball and soccer and is a die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. Go Eagles!
Caren Suesserman, Patient Advocate and Chair, Virtual Meetings
Lauren Conley, Patient Advocate and Chair, Tribute Group/Founders Club

Drug Development Council

Steven Potts, PhD, MBA,, Chair, Drug Development Council

Steven J. Potts, PhD, MBA, Chair, ICAN Drug Development Council, is a cancer drug developer with nearly 25 years of experience in oncology. Steve has been involved in many different aspects of new drug innovation, including start-up biotech companies and larger established companies. He has been involved in two FDA approved drugs, including the TRK/ROS pan tumor and lung cancer drug entrectinib (www.rozlytrek.com). He has twice built companies from scratch (Flagship Biosciences and OncoMyx Therapeutics) and three times built technology that became major parts of larger companies (Quest Diagnostics Bioinformatics division, Aperio – now Leica/Danaher, and Ignyta, now part of Roche/Genentech, where he led medical affairs team).

Personalized Medicine and Molecular Profiling Issues

Scott M. Kahn, PhD
Eric J. Thompson, PhD
Shelley B. Blam, PhD
Stephen Naylor, PhD
Oscar Puig, PhD

Research Services/Special Patient Programs

Research Services

Ashraf Abdelghany, MD, Director, Research Services and Special Projects
Subashini Sridhar, MS, Associate Director, Special Projects/Patient Services
Andrew R. Young, III, Director, Global Volunteer Network, Human Resources
Janet Young, Associate Director, Global Volunteer Network, HR Communications

Celebrating More than 10 Years at ICAN:

Andrew R. Young III
Janet Young
Arpan Dahal
Alison Harford
Claudia Reyes

Patient Services/Research Team Leaders

Donna Abrantes, BA
Sanusha Bijj, BS
Arpan Dahal, BS, MA
Usama Hantour, MD
Alison Harford, BA, Advisor
Sami Hurwitz, BS
Claudia Reyes, BS
Madhurim Thapa, MS
Kelly Wentz-Hunter, PhD

Governmental Relations and Legislative Initiatives

Steve Horn, PhD Director, Governmental Relations

Website Design, Development, and Maintenance

Lynne Cory Director, Website Design and Development
Kevin Ross Associate Webmaster
Mike Seifried Webmaster Emeritus

Graphic Design

We are proud that our 24/7 professional graphic design team spans the globe from New Zealand to Ukraine, from the UAE to Germany, from Arizona to Texas, with design interns from nearly every state in the U.S. since 1996.