About the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation

The UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation was founded in 1945 by a group of volunteers dedicated to cancer research at UCLA. Their idea, using funds raised from private sources to invest in the work of promising young cancer researchers, resulted in the Seed Grant Program, which has helped the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center break new ground in the quest to defeat cancer.

Although seed grants remain an important part of our mission, the Foundation today also supports patient care and advances numerous high-priority and multi-disciplinary cancer research efforts focused on rapidly translating discoveries made in the laboratory into improved screening, treatment and prevention.

We spend 90 percent of total donations directly on cancer research and cancer-related programs. The remaining 10 percent goes toward administrative and fundraising expenses. Donors can feel confident their gifts benefit the research that has consistently made the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center a leader in its field.

Administrative Contacts

Below is contact information for UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation staff.

Margaret Steele
Executive Director
Phone: 310-794-5244
Email: [email protected]

Melisa Moon
Executive Director of Development
Phone: 310-869-3801 (mobile)
email: [email protected]

Freda Rutherford
Board Liaison and Office Operations
Phone: 310-923-4451
Email: [email protected]

Jessica Aranda Estrera
Assistant Manager, Development Operations
310-488-1194
Email: [email protected]

Tania J. Banegas
Assistant Director, Annual and Special Gifts
310-564-3734
Email: [email protected]

Kate Throneburg
Senior Director of Development
Email: [email protected]

RJ DiCamillo
Manager, Special Events
310-564-5535
Email: [email protected]

Jacqui Farina
Director, Strategic Partnerships
310-989-4399
Email: [email protected]

Kirsten Jasna
Director of Operations and Annual Fund
424-325-8625
Email: [email protected]

Carol Lopez
Director of Development
310-321-3668
Email: [email protected]

Maeve Sullivan
Director of Development 
323-573-4927
Email: [email protected]

Shonda N. Robinson
Assistant Manager, Database and Online Operations
Email: [email protected]

Juslyn Theriault
Development Coordinator, Communications
Email: [email protected]

Anne Bermudez
Development Coordinator
Email: [email protected] 

Stay in touch

Receive email updates on research, discoveries and activities that support life-saving discoveries at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.