New manager of community outreach brings rich experience

Brief

After doing everything from marketing for major league baseball teams to helping single mothers find employment to working on a U.S. Senate campaign, Juan Cotto is stepping into a new role as the manager of community outreach.

Cotto, a Seattle native, comes to the Center most recently from St. Joseph's School on Capitol Hill, where he served as the director of development for four years, but has been serving Seattle and the Northwest throughout his career.

Cotto will be instrumental in disseminating information about cancer and the Center's research to all communities, and assisting recruitment efforts for both prevention and clinical trials, and diversifying the workforce.

In his first week at the Center, his list of to-dos and goals is a long one. Cotto said he would like to see more of the community involved in cancer-research efforts. While he plans to encourage more diversity among donors, faculty and staff, his number one priority will be increasing diversity in study recruitment.

"The Center is moving from a traditional community relations model to a more modern model. We're taking a strategic plan of getting away from sitting on boards and going to meetings to asking the community to play a role in cancer research," Cotto said.

Cotto attended the University of Washington Graduate School of Public Affairs, and brings experience, education, and a determination to succeed to the Center. "I am very excited about being a part of this institution and this opportunity to help continue its healthy growth." he said.

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