Advancing Cancer Center Membership, Leadership, and Workforce
The Impact Summit brings together cancer center leaders, researchers, and key stakeholders for a one-day event focused on strengthening the future of cancer center leadership and workforce development. Hosted by the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and the Cancer Center Network, the Summit will take place Saturday, October 24 in conjunction with the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting in Chicago.
The Summit provides a collaborative forum to explore emerging challenges and opportunities facing cancer centers, with an emphasis on leadership development, workforce engagement, and fostering supportive and resilient organizational cultures. Through thoughtful dialogue and shared perspectives, participants will have the opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and gain insights to help advance their institutions and the broader cancer research and care community.
A detailed agenda for the Summit will be forthcoming. Please contact Kate Shaw at with any questions about the Summit.
Agenda
8:30 AM Registration Opens
8:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM Welcome
9:15 – 10:15 AM Expanding Pathways: Building the Future Cancer Research Workforce
From undergraduate students to postdoctoral fellows, developing a strong pipeline of future cancer researchers requires intentional investment at every career stage. This session will highlight programs and strategies that strengthen recruitment into cancer research careers, foster mentorship, and create opportunities for trainees to thrive within cancer centers.
10:15 – 11:15 AM Innovative Faculty Recruitment: Best Practices and Creative Strategies
As competition for top faculty continues to grow, cancer centers are adopting new approaches to recruitment. Panelists will explore best practices for identifying, attracting, and hiring outstanding faculty, with practical examples of innovative strategies that strengthen recruitment efforts and support long-term institutional success.
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Successful Starts: Effective Faculty Onboarding and Integration
A thoughtful onboarding process is essential to helping new faculty transition successfully into their roles. This session will cover best practices for onboarding and integration, including strategies to foster collaboration, connect faculty with institutional resources, and support long-term engagement and success within the cancer center.
12:15 - 1:15 PM Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 PM Building Careers and Retaining Talent in Cancer Research
Recruiting exceptional faculty is only the first step. Panelists will address how their cancer centers are fostering long-term engagement through mentorship, professional and leadership development, recognition programs, and thoughtful career planning, while leveraging faculty feedback to strengthen retention efforts.
2:15 – 3:15 PM Mentorship and Sponsorship as Catalysts for Faculty Success
Mentorship and sponsorship play critical roles in helping faculty navigate career growth, develop leadership skills, and access opportunities for advancement. Panelists will discuss strategies for creating effective mentoring and sponsorship programs, building meaningful professional relationships, and establishing an environment that supports faculty success.
3:15 – 3:30 PM Break
3:30 – 4:45 PM Leadership Session
4:45 PM Closing Remarks
5:00 - 6:00 PM Networking Reception
How to Register
The Impact Summit is only open to cancer center members and faculty and staff at National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other governmental health institutions. Attendees may register for the Impact Summit only or the Impact Summit and the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting. Please visit our registration page for more information on registration rates.
Only Attending the Impact Summit
- Click on the "Register Now" button below
- Choose the "Impact Summit Only" registration type.
- Complete the registration form and submit your registration
Attending the 2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting and the Impact Summit:
- Click on the register now button below
- Choose your registration type ("Member - In Person")
- Complete the registration form
- On the "Optional Session" page, add the Impact Summit to your agenda.
- Your total fee will include the rate for both for the annual meeting and the Impact Summit
There is limited space for this important event. If you are no longer able to attend, please contact Dawn Gobble.
How to Register
The Impact Summit is only open to cancer center members and faculty and staff at National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other governmental health institutions. Attendees may register for the Impact Summit only or the Impact Summit and the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting. Please visit our registration page for more information on registration rates.
Only Attending the Impact Summit
- Click on the "Register Now" button below
- Choose the "Impact Summit Only" registration type.
- Complete the registration form and submit your registration
Attending the 2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting and the Impact Summit:
- Click on the register now button below
- Choose your registration type ("Member - In Person")
- Complete the registration form
- On the "Optional Session" page, add the Impact Summit to your agenda.
- Your total fee will include the rate for both for the annual meeting and the Impact Summit
There is limited space for this important event. If you are no longer able to attend, please contact Dawn Gobble.
How to Register
The Impact Summit is only open to cancer center members and faculty and staff at National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other governmental health institutions. Attendees may register for the Impact Summit only or the Impact Summit and the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting. Please visit our registration page for more information on registration rates.
Only Attending the Impact Summit
- Click on the "Register Now" button below
- Choose the "Impact Summit Only" registration type.
- Complete the registration form and submit your registration
Attending the 2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting and the Impact Summit:
- Click on the register now button below
- Choose your registration type ("Member - In Person")
- Complete the registration form
- On the "Optional Session" page, add the Impact Summit to your agenda.
- Your total fee will include the rate for both for the annual meeting and the Impact Summit
There is limited space for this important event. If you are no longer able to attend, please contact Dawn Gobble.
How to Register
The Impact Summit is only open to cancer center members and faculty and staff at National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other governmental health institutions. Attendees may register for the Impact Summit only or the Impact Summit and the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting. Please visit our registration page for more information on registration rates.
Only Attending the Impact Summit
- Click on the "Register Now" button below
- Choose the "Impact Summit Only" registration type.
- Complete the registration form and submit your registration
Attending the 2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting and the Impact Summit:
- Click on the register now button below
- Choose your registration type ("Member - In Person")
- Complete the registration form
- On the "Optional Session" page, add the Impact Summit to your agenda.
- Your total fee will include the rate for both for the annual meeting and the Impact Summit
There is limited space for this important event. If you are no longer able to attend, please contact Dawn Gobble.