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WIN 2026 Schedule

July 30–31, 2026 in Boston, MA | Sept. 10–11, 2026 Virtual

The 8th 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

July 30–31, 2026 in Boston, MA

Thursday, July 30

7:15-8 a.m. ET

Badge Pick Up
7:30–8 a.m. ET

Coffee and Light Snacks
8–8:15 a.m. ET

Opening Remarks
8:15–9:35 a.m. ET

Securing a Seat at the Table: How Emerging Leaders Attract and Activate Sponsorship

Speaker: 
Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelists:

  • Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
9:35–9:50 a.m. ET

Break
9:50–10:50 a.m. ET

Authentic Leadership: Developing Your Personal Brand and Communication Skills

Speaker:
Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant

Panelists:

  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
10:50 a.m.–12:10 p.m. ET

Navigating Workplace Politics

Panelists:

  • Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
12:10–1:10 p.m. ET

Networking Lunch 
1:10–1:55 p.m. ET

Breakout Session

Faculty:

  • Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Ruth Salmon, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
1:55–3:15 p.m. ET

Work Life Integration

Panelists:

  • Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Ruth Salmon, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
3:15–3:30 p.m. ET

Break
3:30–4:35 p.m. ET

Women and Work: Alternate Career Paths

Panelists:

  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
4:35–5:25 p.m. ET

Dr. Muriel Joan Drew Hege Keynote Address

Speaker:
Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco
5:30–6:30 p.m. ET

Reception

Friday, July 31

7:00–8:00 a.m. ET

Coffee, Tea, and Walk (Optional - Coffee and Tea will be available at 6:30 a.m. ET)
8:30–9 a.m. ET

Coffee and Light Snacks
9–10:10 a.m. ET

How to Develop Your Team

Speaker: 
Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelists:

  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
10:10–10:25 a.m. ET Break
10:25–11:10 a.m. ET

Breakout Session

Faculty:

  • Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Ruth Salmon, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences                                             

11:10 a.m.–12:20 p.m. ET

The Art of Saying No

Speaker:
Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

Panelists:

  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
12:20–1:20 p.m. ET

Networking Lunch

1:20–2:40 p.m. ET

The Male Perspective

Speaker:
Robert Ferris, MD, PhD – University of North Carolina

Panelists:

  • Howard Kaufman, MD, FACS – Massachusetts General Brigham
  • Daniel Powell, PhD – The University of Pennsylvania
  • Adrian Rawcliffe – Etiome
  • Ryan Sullivan, MD – Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital

2:40–3:50 p.m. ET

How to Negotiate

Speaker: 
Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck

Panelists:

  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant

3:50–4:10 p.m. ET

Closing Remarks and Survey

Virtual Schedule

Sep. 10–11, 2026

Thursday, Sept. 10

8–8:15 a.m. CT

Opening Remarks
8:15–9:35 a.m. CT

Securing a Seat at the Table: How Emerging Leaders Attract and Activate Sponsorship

Speaker:
Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelists:

  • Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
9:35–10:35 a.m. CT

Authentic Leadership: Developing Your Personal Brand and Communication Skills

Speaker:
Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant

Panelists:

  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
10:35–11:55 a.m. CT

Navigating Workplace Politics

Panelists:

  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
11:55 a.m.–12:25 p.m. CT

Break
12:25 –1:10 p.m. CT

Breakout Session

Faculty:

  • Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Teri Foy, PhD – Formerly Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Sangeeta Goswami, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Kristen Hege, MD – Board Member, Kelonia, KSQ and EvolveImmune
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Ruth Salmon, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
1:10–2:30 p.m. CT

Work Life Integration

Panelists:

  • Sandra Demaria, MD - Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Ruth Salmon, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
2:30 –3:35 p.m. CT

Women and Work: Alternate Career Paths

Panelists:

  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
3:35–4:25 p.m. CT

Dr. Muriel Joan Drew Hege Keynote Address

Speaker:
Jennifer Grandis, MD – University of California, San Francisco

Friday, Sept. 11

9–10:10 a.m. CT

How to Develop Your Team

Speaker: 
Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelists:

  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
10:10–10:55 a.m. CT

Breakout Session

Faculty:

  • Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Tracy Dooley, MD – Avestria Ventures
  • Teri Foy, PhD – Formerly Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Sangeeta Goswami, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Kristen Hege, MD – Board Member, Mersana, Kelonia, and EvolveImmune
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
  • Rosanna Ricafort, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Ruth Salmon, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
  • Li Sun, PhD – Shennon Bio
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
  • Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences
10:55 a.m.–12:05 p.m. CT

The Art of Saying No

Speaker:
Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

Panelists:

  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
  • Ashley Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Yana Najjar, MD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
12:05–12:35 p.m. CT

Break
12:35–1:55 p.m. CT

The Male Perspective

Speaker:
Robert Ferris, MD, PhD – University of North Carolina

Panelists:

  • Scott Abrams, PhD – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Howard Kaufman, MD, FACS – Massachusetts General Brigham
  • Daniel Powell, PhD – The University of Pennsylvania
  • Adrian Rawcliffe – Etiome
1:55–3:05 p.m. CT

How to Negotiate

Speaker: 
Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck
Panelists:

  • Lisa Butterfield, PhD – Independent Consultant
  • Elizabeth Travis, PhD, FASTRO, FRRS – Independent Consultant
3:05–3:20 p.m. CT

Closing Remarks and Survey