Alec Kupelian first began advocating with Teen Cancer America (TCA) whilst he was in treatment for Ewings Sarcoma in one of TCA’s AYA (adolescent and young adult) programs. In 2019, after finishing his bachelor’s degree at the University of California Santa Barbara, Alec joined the TCA team and has loved every moment of it. He works with hospitals to develop the kinds of programs and services that most benefit AYAs like him. Alec manages TCA’s grant giving process and helps create the tools and systems TCA uses to support hospitals. As someone with a lived AYA cancer experience, he knows firsthand the value of the work Teen Cancer America does.
Alice del Rosario contributes her extensive experience in research administration and medical education to Teen Cancer America as a grant writer and office administrator. At UCLA, Alice served as the Administrative Director of the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program, Division Manager of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and the Pediatric Fellowships Manager prior to retirement in 2021. She was instrumental in helping to build Teen Cancer America’s first AYA program in the U.S. at UCLA Health.
Alyssa Mathews, CPA, is the Director of Finance and Operations at Teen Cancer America, bringing extensive experience from both public and private accounting. While most of her career was spent in the financial services industry, Alyssa was drawn to TCA after experiencing the impact of cancer within her own family. She saw it as an opportunity to apply her professional skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people affected by cancer. In addition to her role at TCA, she also serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the Emerson, NJ Public Library.
Betty Roggenkamp, MS in Health Communication (Northwestern), is a cancer care quality improvement consultant with over 15 years of experience advancing outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer. Known for her collaborative, patient-centered approach, she brings together interdisciplinary teams to improve care delivery and the lived experience of AYAs. As Program Development Strategist at Teen Cancer America, Betty works with cancer treatment sites nationwide to build comprehensive AYA programs, fosters cross-site clinical collaboration, and promotes provider education and patient around the complex, lifelong impact of cancer diagnosed as a young adult.
Catherine Swift, MSW, LCSW brings her expertise in direct AYA cancer care to help expand Teen Cancer America’s impact. Prior to joining the team, she was the Clinical Social Worker at the UNC-Chapel Hill AYA Cancer Program, where she got to know and learn from hundreds of AYAs over the years. She applies those lessons to her work at TCA, adapting innovative models of AYA care to community cancer care settings where most AYAs receive their treatment. She partners with healthcare providers, researchers, and AYA advocates to spread awareness and share resources to address the unique needs of AYAs in treatment and survivorship.
Hilary Gan, MA, serves as the Chief Program Officer at Teen Cancer America. She brings over 20 years of experience in hospital-based cancer care, where she worked as a Child Life Specialist supporting patients of all ages, with a strong focus on the unique developmental and psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs).
Since joining Teen Cancer America over a decade ago, Hilary has helped shape the organization’s national strategy to improve care for young people with cancer. She leads the team that works with healthcare institutions across the country to build sustainable, developmentally appropriate AYA programs. Hilary also co-founded several of TCA’s signature initiatives: Play It Back Music, a creative outlet for young people impacted by cancer; the Monthly Drip, a national education series for healthcare professionals; and the Program Advisory Group, a collaborative network advancing the field of AYA oncology. She remains deeply committed to improving the AYA cancer experience across the continuum of care.
Jamie Park serves as the Celebrity Partnership Manager at Teen Cancer America, bringing over 20 years of experience and connections cultivated through her work booking and coordinating celebrity interviews for various television talk shows. Throughout her career in the television industry, she has always prioritized volunteerism, utilizing her celebrity contacts to benefit charitable causes whenever possible. After dedicating nearly six years of volunteer service to Teen Cancer America, particularly at their annual Backyard Concert, Jamie accepted a full-time role with the organization in 2022.
Driven by a profound commitment to improving the lives of young people affected by cancer, Jamie dedicates her efforts to a remarkable teenager who was like a sister to her and who lost her courageous battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma four years ago. This special individual profoundly influenced Jamie’s life, and she aspires to make a similar impact on others facing cancer. Jamie holds a double major in Communications and Music from UC San Diego.
Kersten Azuero Haile is the Vice President of Philanthropy at Teen Cancer America, where she leads strategic fundraising initiatives to expand access to specialized care and support for adolescents and young adults with cancer. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kersten brings a strong track record of advancing mission-driven organizations and cultivating impactful partnerships.
Prior to her current role, she held positions with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s leading blood cancer organization, and the National 4-H Council, the nation’s largest youth development organization. Through this work, she has developed a deep commitment to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for young people, particularly through thoughtful, strategic philanthropic investment.
Kersten is passionate about mobilizing resources and building collaborations that drive meaningful change, ensuring that every young person facing cancer has access to the care, support, and opportunities they deserve.
Lily creates marketing strategies and materials for all of TCA’s messaging, events, fundraisers, and campaigns. She joined the cause in 2018 and has held Fundraising, Events, Finance, and Administrative roles within the charity. Lily has worked in the non-profit field since 2012 and has a degree in Sociology with an Emphasis in Social Work from Chapman University. She worked closely with teens and young adults as a Lead at the Boys and Girls Club and saw their unique needs on a daily basis. During her time at TCA she has seen time and time again the impact that the organization has on each young person it encounters and aims to spread the mission as best she can every day.
Michelle Elle Aland serves as the Chief Experience Officer of Teen Cancer America. She is a strategic and purpose-driven nonprofit executive with extensive experience spanning both the nonprofit and commercial sectors. Michelle has built world-class fundraising campaigns, corporate partnerships, and high-profile sponsorships that have driven substantial revenue and deepened mission impact.
Before her current role, Michelle held leadership positions at the Royal Albert Hall, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Enterprises in London. She began her career in the commercial sports sector as Director of Youth Marketing at the National Hockey League. Over the course of her career, she has raised tens of millions of dollars through innovative campaigns and partnerships with leading brands such as Samsung, LVMH, First Citizens Bank, iHeart, and GlaxoSmithKline.
Originally from Pennsylvania and now based in Marina del Rey, California, Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University, with minors in Spanish and Political Science. She also completed executive leadership programs at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Yale University.
Alyssa Mathews, CPA, is the Director of Finance and Operations at Teen Cancer America, bringing extensive experience from both public and private accounting. While most of her career was spent in the financial services industry, 
Hilary Gan, MA, serves as the Chief Program Officer at Teen Cancer America. She brings over 20 years of experience in hospital-based cancer care, where she worked as a Child Life Specialist supporting patients of all ages, with a strong focus on the unique developmental and psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs).
Since joining Teen Cancer America over a decade ago, Hilary has helped shape the organization’s national strategy to improve care for young people with cancer. She leads the team that works with healthcare institutions across the country to build sustainable, developmentally appropriate AYA programs. Hilary also co-founded several of TCA’s signature initiatives: Play It Back Music, a creative outlet for young people impacted by cancer; the Monthly Drip, a national education series for healthcare professionals; and the Program Advisory Group, a collaborative network advancing the field of AYA oncology. She remains deeply committed to improving the AYA cancer experience across the continuum of care.
