Executive Leadership and Staff

Marilyn Gentry is the President of the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), a role she has held for more than four decades. She is also the President and a founder of World Cancer Research Fund International, a non-profit organization that leads and unifies a global network of cancer prevention charities, including AICR. Inspired in the early years by the lack of cancer prevention efforts around the
globe, she helped found the other members of this network, which are based in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong.

She has been instrumental in bringing the concept that you can reduce your cancer risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle–once an outlandish and almost heretical suggestion–to the backbone of mainstream public health and cancer prevention efforts worldwide.

In her role, she continues to champion the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world so that people can make informed lifestyle choices to reduce their cancer risk.

Jennifer Mercer is the Executive Director of the American Institute for Cancer Research. In this role, she leads the organization while continuing to guide its comprehensive fundraising strategy and development activities across all marketing channels and revenue streams, including major gifts, planned giving, bequest fundraising, state and federal campaigns, memorial giving, monthly donor programs, corporate and foundation partnerships, special events, and the gift annuity program.

Jennifer brings extensive experience as a fundraising strategist and nonprofit leader. Prior to her work with AICR, she served on the fundraising consultancy side of the business, where she helped some of the nation’s largest nonprofits strengthen the donor experience and maximize revenue.

Dr Mitrou, known as Giota, has a PhD in genetic epidemiology from the University of Cambridge and has written several papers in the area of diet and cancer. She previously held research positions at the National Cancer Institute in the US and at the University of Cambridge.

She has worked at World Cancer Research Fund for more than 15 years in senior positions within the science department. In her current role she has overall responsibility for our science and policy programmes.

Michael J. McCarn is AICR’s Chief Information Officer.

Mike supported AICR as an outside IT consultant for many years – first as Vice President of Digital Microcomputer Concepts Corporation, then as President of Microcomputer Management and Support, Inc.

Since coming on staff at AICR, he has worked hard to balance data security, reliability, and usability as the technology landscape evolves.

Karen Cardenas is the Senior Director of HR & Operations for the American Institute for Cancer Research. She provides strategic leadership for AICR’s human resources and workplace operations, supporting the people, systems, and culture that help advance the organization’s mission. Her work includes strengthening staff engagement and wellbeing, guiding HR strategy and compliance, and overseeing key operational initiatives that foster an efficient, collaborative, and people-centered workplace.

Prior to joining AICR, Karen spent more than 30 years in the health and fitness industry, including leadership roles managing health clubs and helping individuals make meaningful lifestyle changes. That experience deepened her belief in prevention, wellness, and education, making AICR’s mission to reduce cancer risk through research-based guidance a natural next chapter in her career.

Cynthia Matlack serves as Controller for AICR and WCRF International and its affiliates. She is responsible for regulatory compliance, day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting and analysis, audit management and internal controls.  She draws on her expertise and extensive experience working with nonprofits in both finance and operations as well as leading and working with diverse teams. Cynthia is devoted to operational excellence, strengthening and improving both systems and processes. ensuring sound financial management and stewardship in support of AICR’s mission.

Linda is Senior Director of Major Gifts at AICR. She leads her team in developing and maintaining long-term relationships with the American Institute for Cancer Research’s cherished supporters. Linda works closely with distinguished donors to learn about their interests, passions and values, and to communicate how their support improves people’s lives and well-being. She also assists donors in finding the best ways to support the research and education programs that are most meaningful to them.

During her career, Linda has served in a variety of roles in finance and operations management for large corporations in budget planning, financial analysis and leadership of customer service teams.

Daniel joined AICR in 2008 and is committed to strengthening donor relationships and inspiring long-term support for the organization’s mission. He oversees a portfolio of valued supporters while directing donor engagement initiatives including telemarketing operations, bequest cultivation, monthly giving and mid-level donor programs. Daniel works closely with supporters to share how their generosity advances cancer prevention, research and education.

Throughout his 30-year career in the nonprofit sector, Daniel has focused on donor relations, strategic communications and team leadership, helping organizations build meaningful connections with supporters and deliver exceptional donor experiences.

Kelly B. Browning holds an emeritus position with the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).  He is a board member of the World Cancer Research Fund International, a non-profit organization that leads and unifies a global network of cancer prevention charities, including AICR.

Kelly is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for AICR and was motivated in the early years by the lack of cancer research focused on prevention, in both the public and private sectors.   For nearly four decades he worked to advance the Institute’s research programs relating to how lifestyle factors impact cancer risk and on ways to increase awareness across the country.