Our Team
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement brings together staff with expertise in community engagement, cancer education, research, events, and program support. Meet the people working with communities and partners across Minnesota to help reduce the burden of cancer.
Leadership
Kiara Ellis, MSW (she/her), Senior Director, Cancer Impact and Equity
Kiara leads efforts to advance cancer health equity and create systemic change across Minnesota communities. She also created the Cancer Center Community Impact Forum.
Jen Poynter, MPH, PhD (she/her), Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement
Dr. Poynter works to understand Minnesota’s cancer burden and community needs. Her work helps ensure those needs inform the Masonic Cancer Center’s research and clinical care priorities.
Rebekah Pratt, PhD (she/her), Associate Co-Director, Community Outreach and Engagement
Dr. Pratt works to strengthen relationships between the Masonic Cancer Center and communities across Minnesota. Her work focuses on meaningful community engagement and bringing community perspectives into the Cancer Center’s work.
Community Outreach and Engagement Team
Amna Hussein, MBS (she/her), Community Outreach and Engagement Manager
Amna leads and develops community outreach and engagement efforts focused on advancing health equity and reducing cancer disparities across Minnesota. She brings a multidisciplinary background in public health, immunology, cancer biology, education, and healthcare.
Katie Verhulst, MPH (she/her), Community Health and Engagement Coordinator
Katie works to advance health equity by building strong community relationships, supporting outreach efforts, and addressing barriers to health. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and is a certified Community Health Worker.
Kelly Robinson, RN (she/her), Community Health Nurse Navigator
Kelly supports community-based cancer screening, navigation, and access to preventive care. She brings more than 30 years of nursing experience, including oncology and community health, as well as 16 years as a clinical educator.
Niya Basha (she/her), Community Health Worker
Niya supports community engagement, outreach, and navigation efforts focused on reducing health disparities. She has a background in public health and community health education and is committed to supporting underserved communities.
Jodi Nordlund (she/her), Rural Health Coordinator
Jodi supports community outreach across northern Minnesota, drawing on several years of experience as a SNAP-Ed educator. Her background in food and nutrition education informs her work to strengthen access to trusted health information and resources in rural communities.
Research Engagement Team
Susannah Bartlow, PhD (she/her), Community Outreach and Engagement Manager - Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN)
Susannah develops community-centered programs and partnerships that strengthen engagement in cancer clinical research. Her background includes higher education, social services, community organizing, and coalition-based systems change.
Michiah Van Syckel (he/they), Community Advocates and Engagement Coordinator - Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN)
Michiah works to center community voices and experiences in efforts to advance health equity. He supports the Masonic Cancer Center’s Community Advocates Program and brings a background in healthcare and community outreach.
Events
Lissa Martinez Huebner, CMP (she/her), Event and Administrative Manager
Lissa leads event planning and logistics for public engagement events, large-scale meetings, and conferences. As Certified Meeting Professional, she brings a background in event planning for health-focused organizations.
Elsie Aldrich (she/her), Events Coordinator
Elsie plans and coordinates events for communities and the Masonic Cancer Center network. She brings extensive experience in event planning and catering, having supported more than 800 events.
Liz Danley (she/her), Survivorship Events Coordinator
Liz plans events that support and celebrate cancer survivors and their loved ones. She brings experience across community, charity, and large-scale events to the Masonic Cancer Center’s survivorship programs.
Administrative Team
Ashley Pohlenz, MPH (she/her), Senior Research and Program Coordinator
Ashley brings experience in reducing cancer burden in Indigenous communities. Her background includes program evaluation, health systems change, and program design and implementation.
Lei Simmons (she/her), Executive Office and Administrative Specialist
Lei supports the COE team with more than 25 years of administrative experience at the University of Minnesota and in the corporate sector. She brings extensive experience supporting senior leadership and organizational operations.