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WIN 2025 Schedule

August 7–8, 2025 in Chicago, IL | Sept. 15–16, 2025 Virtual

The 7th Annual Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Network (WIN) Leadership Institute features two opportunities to attend, in-person or virtually. The program, championed by SITC Past President Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD, the society’s first female president, brings emerging female leaders in the cancer immunotherapy field together for an inspirational two days of professional development and networking event.

In-Person Schedule

Aug. 7–8, 2025 in Chicago, IL

Thursday, Aug. 7

7–8 a.m. CT

Badge Pick Up
8–8:15 a.m. CT

Opening Remarks

8:15–9:35 a.m. CT

Sponsorship: A Strategy for Career Advancement
Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelist
Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Melody Smith, MD – Stanford University
9:35–9:50 a.m. CT Break
9:50–10:40 a.m. CT

Authentic Leadership: Developing Your Personal Brand and Communication Skills

10:40 a.m.–12 p.m. CT

Surviving in a Political World
12–1 p.m. CT

Networking Lunch
1–2 p.m. CT

Breakout Session

2–3:20 p.m. CT

Work Life Integration
Jennifer Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital

Panelists
Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
Amishi Shah – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

3:20–3:55 p.m. CT

Break

3:35–4:40 p.m. CT

Women and Work: Alternate Career Path

Panelists
Priscilla Kelly, MD – American Associate for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 
Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences 
Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Merck
Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures

4:40–5:30 p.m. CT

Keynote
Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco

5:30–6:30 p.m. CT

Networking Reception

Friday, Aug. 8

7:30–8:30 a.m. CT Coffee, Tea, and Walk (Optional)
9–10:10 a.m. CT

How to Develop Your Team
Kristin Anderson, PhD – University of Virginia
Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelist
Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
10:10–10:25 a.m. CT

Break
10:25–11:35 a.m. CT

The Art of Saying No
Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

Panelist
Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
11:35 a.m.–12:35 p.m. CT

Networking Lunch
12:35–1:35 p.m. CT

The Male Perspective

Panelists
Robert Ferris, MD, PhD – University of North Carolina
1:35–2:45 p.m. CT

How to Negotiate 
Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck

Panelist
Melody Smith, MD – Stanford University
2:45–3 p.m. CT

Closing Remarks

Tuesday, Sept. 16

9–10:10 a.m. CT

How to Develop Your Team
Kristin Anderson, PhD – University of Virginia
Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelist
Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
10:10–11:20 a.m. CT

The Art of Saying No
Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

Panelist
Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
11:20–11:40 a.m. CT

Break
11:40 a.m.–12:40 p.m. CT

The Male Perspective

Panelists
Robert Ferris, MD, PhD – University of North Carolina
John Wherry, PhD – University of Pennsylvania
12:40–1:50 p.m. CT

How to Negotiate
Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck

Panelist
Melody Smith, MD – Stanford University
1:50–2 p.m. CT

Closing Remarks 

Monday, Sept. 15

8–8:15 a.m. CT

Opening Remarks
8:15–9:35 a.m. CT

Sponsorship: A Strategy for Career Advancement
Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelist
Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Melody Smith, MD – Stanford University
9:35–10:25 a.m. CT Authentic Leadership: Developing Your Personal Brand and Communication Skills
10:25–11:45 a.m. CT

Surviving in a Political World
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. CT

Break
12:15 –1:15 p.m. CT

Breakout Session
1:15–2:35 p.m. CT

Work Life Integration
Jennifer Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital

Panelists
Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
Amishi Shah – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2:35 –3:40 p.m. CT

Women and Work: Alternate Career Paths

Panelists
Priscilla Kelly, MD – American Associate for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 
Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences 
Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Merck
Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
3:40–4:30 p.m. CT

Keynote
Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco

Virtual Schedule

Sept. 15–16 Virtual Schedule