American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc

Washington, DC · Founded 2001

Nonprofit advocacy organization working to make cancer prevention, treatment, and research a top priority for policymakers

Primary audience

Cancer Patients

Work area

Policy Advocacy

Topic

Cancer Prevention

Contact

Lisa A Lacasse

Website Contact

About Organization

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden across the United States. Based in Washington, DC, the organization engages 217,251 volunteers and employs 246 staff to influence legislative and regulatory solutions at federal, state, and local levels. With annual revenue of $49.8 million, ACS CAN operates as the nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society.

What They Focus On

Legislative Advocacy

Influences federal, state, and local lawmakers to make cancer prevention and treatment a top policy priority

Healthcare Access

Advocates for comprehensive health coverage policies that ensure cancer patients can access quality care

Research Funding

Promotes increased investment in medical research and clinical studies to advance cancer treatment and prevention

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$49.8M

+9.5% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$53.1M

+8.4% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$21.4M

-17.3% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

246

+6.5% vs 2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	$49,827,894	$53,122,392	$21,373,911	246
2023	$45,517,184	$49,005,138	$25,851,271	231
2022	$45,971,886	$41,807,800	$29,345,550	216
2020	$32,015,639	$27,713,763	$13,099,092	228
2019	$37,833,806	$39,276,756	$8,697,938	251
2018	$37,948,021	$35,069,264	$11,587,587	234

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Policy Research

Identifies evidence-based public policies that can effectively reduce the cancer burden for all communities
02

Advocate Engagement

Mobilizes volunteers across the country to contact lawmakers and share personal stories about cancer
03

Legislative Action

Works directly with elected officials at federal, state, and local levels to advance cancer priorities
04

Policy Implementation

Monitors regulatory processes to ensure adopted policies effectively serve cancer patients and survivors

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc

Policy Advocacy

Advocates for evidence-based cancer policies with federal, state, and local officials to reduce cancer burden nationwide

Health Care Coverage

Works to expand and protect access to comprehensive health insurance coverage for cancer prevention and treatment

Medical Research Funding

Advocates for increased federal and state funding for cancer research and clinical studies

Grassroots Mobilization

Engages over 217,000 volunteer advocates to make their voices heard on cancer issues

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc.

Lisa A Lacasse

President

Full-time

Compensation: $836,640

Paul E Hull

Vice President, Regional Advocacy

Full-time

Compensation: $231,999

Karen E Knudsen PHD

Chief Executive Officer, Outgoing

5 hrs/week

Compensation: $173,760

Kael Reicin

Chief Financial & Strategy Officer

5 hrs/week

Compensation: $102,720

Wayne A I Frederick MD MBA Facs

Interim CEO

5 hrs/week

Compensation: $47,756

Marissa P Brown

Senior VP, State & Local Advocacy

Full-time

Compensation: $391,384

Pamela G Traxel

Senior VP, Alliance Development & Philanthropy

Full-time

Compensation: $370,119

Alissa B Crispino

Senior VP, Advocacy Communications & Policy

Full-time

Compensation: $324,691

Mark R Anderson

VP, Regional Advocacy

Full-time

Compensation: $283,654

Tammy Boyd

VP, Federal Advocacy, Outgoing

Full-time

Compensation: $253,799

Carter S Steger

VP, State And Local Campaigns

Full-time

Compensation: $250,247

Jeffrey Martin

VP, Grassroots Advocacy

Full-time

Compensation: $235,727

Milestones

2001

Organization Founded

2001

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network established as nonprofit advocacy affiliate

2020

Advocacy Expansion

2020

Increased grassroots mobilization despite pandemic challenges with 228 staff members

2023

Revenue Growth

2023

Expanded operations with revenue reaching $45.5 million and 231 employees

2024

Record Volunteer Engagement

2024

Mobilized over 217,000 volunteer advocates with $49.8 million budget and 246 staff

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Brian A Marlow Cfa Acs Board Chair 3.0 hrs/week

Bruce D Waldholtz MD Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Dana Bernson Mph Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

David Ford Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

David O Garcia PHD Facsm Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

John J Manna Jr ESQ Board Vice Chair 5.0 hrs/week

Jose R Ramos Jr Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Karen Winkfield MD PHD Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Kay Coleman Board Treasurer 5.0 hrs/week

Kimberly L Jeffries Leonard PHD Board Chair 8.0 hrs/week

Marcus Plescia MD Mph Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Margaret McCaffery JD Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Maureen G Mann Ms MBA Fache Board Immediate Past Chair 5.0 hrs/week

Omar M Rashid MD JD Facs Fsso Dabs Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Philip R O'Brien Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Roy Jensen MD Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Scarlott K Mueller Mph Rn Faan Board Secretary 5.0 hrs/week

Susan Penfield Board Director 3.0 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$3.9M

Highest Paid

$877K

Lisa A Lacasse

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Lisa A Lacasse	President	$836,640	$40,672	$877,312	55
Marissa P Brown	Senior VP, State & Local Advocacy	$391,384	$35,950	$427,334	55
Pamela G Traxel	Senior VP, Alliance Development & Philanthropy	$370,119	$29,594	$399,713	55
Alissa B Crispino	Senior VP, Advocacy Communications & Policy	$324,691	$15,958	$340,649	55
Mark R Anderson	VP, Regional Advocacy	$283,654	$32,976	$316,630	55
Paul E Hull	Vice President, Regional Advocacy	$231,999	$39,837	$271,836	55
Carter S Steger	VP, State And Local Campaigns	$250,247	$21,529	$271,776	55
Tammy Boyd	VP, Federal Advocacy, Outgoing	$253,799	$9,578	$263,377	55
Jeffrey Martin	VP, Grassroots Advocacy	$235,727	$27,070	$262,797	55
Karen E Knudsen PHD	Chief Executive Officer, Outgoing	$173,760	$53,274	$227,034	5
Kael Reicin	Chief Financial & Strategy Officer	$102,720	$48,911	$151,631	5
Wayne A I Frederick MD MBA FACS	Interim CEO	$47,756	—	$47,756	5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Lisa A Lacasse	President	$707,628	$59,405	$767,033	55
Pamela G Traxel	SVP, Alliance DEV. & Philanthr	$348,385	$46,369	$394,754	55
Marissa P Brown	SVP, State & Local Advocacy	$351,140	$41,892	$393,032	55
Alissa B Crispino	SVP, Advocacy COMM. & Policy	$310,235	$21,642	$331,877	55
Carter S Steger	VP, State And Local Campaigns	$239,014	$78,066	$317,080	55
Paul Hull	VP, Regional Advocacy	$224,288	$63,596	$287,884	55
Tammy Boyd	VP, Federal Advocacy	$264,739	$22,095	$286,834	55
Mark R Anderson	VP, Regional Advocacy	$249,092	$30,983	$280,075	55
Jeffrey Martin	VP, Grassroots Advocacy	$234,771	$40,256	$275,027	55
Karen E Knudsen PHD	Chief Executive Officer	$111,499	$115,406	$226,905	5
Kael Reicin	Chief Fin. & Strategy Officer	$91,451	$50,307	$141,758	5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Lisa A Lacasse	President	$540,403	$34,961	$575,364	55
Pamela G Traxel	Senior VP, Alliance Development & Philanthropy	$347,433	$27,057	$374,490	55
Marissa P Brown	Senior VP, State & Local Advocacy	$293,970	$42,594	$336,564	55
Mark R Anderson	Vice President, Regional Advocacy	$209,527	$26,769	$236,296	55
Alissa B Crispino	Senior VP, Advocacy Communications & Policy	$215,015	$13,648	$228,663	55
Carter S Steger	VP, State And Local Campaigns	$196,852	$21,136	$217,988	55
Kirsten A Sloan	Managing Director, Public Policy	$184,369	$20,349	$204,718	55
Karen E Knudsen PHD	Chief Executive Officer	$81,516	$91,502	$173,018	5
Kael Reicin	Chief Finance & Strategy Officer	$72,048	$85,216	$157,264	5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Lisa A Lacasse	President	$311,299	$60,226	$371,525	55
Pamela G Traxel	SR VP, Alliance Dvlp & Phil	$254,673	$62,790	$317,463	55
Marissa P Brown	SR VP, State & Local Advcy	$231,819	$30,920	$262,739	55
Jeffrey A Martin	VP, Advcy Admin, Trng, OPS	$182,095	$63,461	$245,556	55
Keysha Brooks-Coley	SR VP, Fed Advocacy Strt Allncs	$206,548	$34,385	$240,933	55
Erin C O'Neill	VP, Vol Engmt & Grsroot Strategies	$188,361	$45,656	$234,017	55
Kirsten A Sloan	VP, Public Policy, Stgy & OPS	$185,422	$23,381	$208,803	55
Gary Reedy	Chief Executive Officer	$54,764	$34,886	$89,650	5
Kael Reicin	Chief Financial Officer	$30,056	$6,364	$36,420	5
Catherine E Mickle	Chief Admin Officer, Outgoing	$0	$29,315	$29,315	—

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Lisa A Lacasse	President	$374,471	$86,241	$460,712	55
Pamela G Traxel	SR VP, Alliance Develpmt & Phil	$261,313	$84,808	$346,121	55
Catherine E Mickle	Former CFO	$0	$273,297	$273,297	—
Jeffrey A Martin	VP, Advocacy Admin, Training & OPS	$186,109	$76,749	$262,858	55
Keysha Brooks-Coley	SR VP, Fed Advocacy Strtgic Allncs	$211,548	$46,547	$258,095	55
Marissa P Brown	SR VP, State & Local Advocacy	$236,286	$21,150	$257,436	55
Erin C O'Neill	VP, Vol Engmt & Grsroots Strgies	$183,509	$61,675	$245,184	55
Kirsten A Sloan	VP, Public Policy, Strategy & OPS	$187,726	$32,571	$220,297	55
Gary Reedy	Chief Executive Officer	$85,225	$68,326	$153,551	5
Robert M King	Chief Financial Officer, Outgoing	$34,536	$81,331	$115,867	5

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$131K Grants Received

$2.1M Grants Given

45 Organizations

Top Funders

6 total

Advanced Medical Technology Association

$36K

Biotechnology Innovation Organization

$25K

Sisters Of Charity Foundation Of South Carolina

$25K

We Work For Health

$25K

Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation

$15K

Nebraska Oncology Society

$5K

Top Grantees

39 total

Black Voters Matter Atlanta, GA

$300K

Georgia First Inc Flowery Branch, GA

$300K

Together for Hope Jackson, MS

$275K

UT Southwestern Harold C Simmons Cancer Ctr Dallas, TX

$148K

National LGBT Cancer Network Providence, RI

$117K

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Charlotte, NC

$75K

MS Faith Based Coalition for Comm Renewal Jackson, MS

$60K

University Of South Florida Tampa, FL

$60K

The Council of State Governments Lexington, KY

$58K

Nat'l Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Washington, DC

$50K

+29 more grantees

Advanced Medical Technology Association Biotechnology Innovation Organization Sisters Of Charity Foundation Of South Carolina We Work For Health Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation Nebraska Oncology Society Black Voters Matter Georgia First Inc Together for Hope UT Southwestern Harold C Simmons Cancer Ctr National LGBT Cancer Network Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy MS Faith Based Coalition for Comm Renewal University Of South Florida The Council of State Governments Nat'l Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Nbcsl North Carolina Alliance for Health Apaics Center Forward Douglass Leadership Institute Touch4Life Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids Center for Transforming Communities Equal Hope HEART Coalition National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc The Center for Black Health & Equity Alabama Arise Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute National Indian Health Board Transform 314 ZERO Prostate Cancer Ptrshp to Protect Coverage Patient Advocacy Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

6 Registrations

4 Clients

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 4 total

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc..

3 filings

Self

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc.

1 filing

Self

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

1 filing

Self

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (Acscan)

1 filing

Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc

Phone

(202) 661-5700

Social

Visit Website

655 15th Street NW 503 Washington, DC 20005

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Policy Research

Advocate Engagement

Legislative Action

Policy Implementation

Programs and Initiatives

Policy Advocacy

Health Care Coverage

Medical Research Funding

Grassroots Mobilization

Team & Leadership

Lisa A Lacasse

Paul E Hull

Karen E Knudsen PHD

Kael Reicin

Wayne A I Frederick MD MBA Facs

Marissa P Brown

Pamela G Traxel

Alissa B Crispino

Mark R Anderson

Tammy Boyd

Carter S Steger

Jeffrey Martin

Milestones

Organization Founded

Advocacy Expansion

Revenue Growth

Record Volunteer Engagement

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Top Grantees

Related Organizations

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

Lobbying Activity

Clients 4 total

Contact

Phone

Social