Lung Cancer Alliance Staff

 

President & CEO
Laurie Fenton Ambrose

Laurie Fenton Ambrose manages the strategic direction of Lung Cancer Alliance. As President, Laurie oversees the creation and implementation of the Alliance’s public policy agenda and national grassroots network, and the design, delivery and evaluation of quality education, support, outreach and volunteer programs to stakeholders. Laurie is LCA ’s primary liaison to community and government leaders, collaborating agencies, stakeholders, lung cancer care professionals and other strategic alliances.

Laurie brings extensive public policy experience to the Alliance. She joined LCA after serving as Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, where she helped set the strategic and policy direction of that Department. Among her other accomplishments, Laurie has served as Chief of Staff for senators and representatives, during a public sector career. Laurie also has served in the private sector as a Federal Relations Director for a Fortune 500 company.

Laurie is a graduate of The George Washington University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Senior Management in Government Executive Program. An avid equestrian, she resides in Middleburg, Virginia.

 

Director of Development
Emily Eyres

Emily Eyres (far left) has more than 16 years of fundraising and non-profit management expertise stemming from her work with the world’s largest non-profit environmental organization. She has helped to design, launch and successfully complete several multi-million dollar capital campaigns, as well as lead fundraising, marketing and board development efforts for several state and international programs. Emily was inspired to join the Alliance after experiencing her mother and father-in-law’s courageous battles with lung cancer. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia.

 

Director of Patient Services
Maureen Rigney

Maureen Rigney, LICSW, joined LCA in October 2005 as the Director of Patient Services. Maureen was a long-time resident of the Chicago area and brings extensive social work and mental health experience to the LCA. She was previously employed by Community Connections of Washington DC and Community Counseling Centers of Chicago providing direct care and managing programs and staff. Her family also has had personal experience with lung cancer, losing her father in 2004 to the disease. Maureen's extensive experience will enhance LCA's support programs for those affected by lung cancer. 

Program Manager
Amy Pearson
Amy Pearson began volunteering with LCA in February 2007 and is now LCA's Program Manager. Her primary responsibilities involve support to the Lung Cancer Survivor's Online Community, responding to information line requests, and developing educational materials. She has a Master's degree in Public Health and has spent the past 7 years working in community health programs internationally. She has also worked with immigrant health issues in Washington, DC.

Administrative Assistant

Will Furtado

Will Furtado has joined LCA as our Administrative Assistant.  He will be maintaining the day to day functions of the entire office while being the primary support for Director of Development, Emily Eyres.  In addition, he will be providing back up on advocacy and public relations initiatives.  Prior to coming to LCA, Will spent two years in DC working with high school students from across the US, Europe, and Caribbean to promote youth civic participation, advocacy, and political involvement.  A native of Charleston, SC, Will moved to Washington, D.C. immediately after graduating from Duke University in 2005.  His interest in LCA’s mission is personal as he has lost his aunt and a close friend to lung cancer. 

Director of External Relations
Kay Cofrancesco

Kay Cofrancesco, far right, holds a BA in Biology from the University of Delaware.  She joined LCA in November 2004 as Program Specialist and is now the Director of External Relations.

Kay works with LCA Advocates across the country and remains a point of contact for those interested in becoming involved in advocacy and Lung Cancer Awareness Month activities.  She also works with media outlets, communications teams, and other organizations across the country to provide the general public with the most up to date information about lung cancer and Lung Cancer Alliance.