Staff

Margo Michaels, Executive Director and President

Over the last 15 years, Margo Michaels has developed numerous innovative programs to educate cancer advocates, community leaders, and health care professionals about policy and science issues related to cancer and cancer clinical trials. As the Founder of the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT), she is considered a national expert in community-based education efforts around cancer clinical research. Prior to starting ENACCT, she served as Branch Chief at NCI's Public and Survivor Education Branch; as the Lead Consultant to the Clinical Research: Affiliates Funding Trials (CRAFT) program at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (now Komen for the Cure) in Dallas, TX, and as the Director of the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Project LEAD. She holds an M.P.H. in Health Behavior/Health Education from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.

Natasha Blakeney, Program Director

Natasha has a diverse background in cancer education and outreach, particularly in reaching medically underserved communities and working with health care professionals to improve recruitment and retention in clinical research. She has professional experience with the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service, the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, the Sheps Center for Health Services Research, and the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Natasha received her MPH in Health Behavior/Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Melissa Werner, Program Manager

An experienced curriculum designer and trainer, Melissa has managed training and technical assistance programs for health-care professionals on a variety of topics. She has held positions as the Director responsible for education, training and curriculum development at two national organizations, including the National Training Center for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Additionally, she has consulted with the Prevent Cancer Foundation on several projects, including the development of a breast cancer focused education program for high school aged girls. Melissa received her MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and her MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) from the American University.

Gina Pokrashevsky, Staff Assistant

Gina graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Public and Community Health. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, a public health honorary society that educated local communities about pertinent health issues. Gina has also worked and volunteered with several non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. She is currently pursuing her MPH in Health Education at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.