A Leader Who's Earned It: Mary Ajango Named Executive Director
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is proud to announce the promotion of Mary Ajango to Executive Director. A long-time leader within the organization, Mary has been instrumental in shaping YSC’s strategy, programs, and partnerships that empower younger adults diagnosed with breast cancer and their co-survivors.
Mary’s leadership is marked by both vision and heart. Since joining YSC in 2011, Mary has built coalitions across the cancer ecosystem, forging partnerships with National Breast Cancer Coalition and Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation to train 150+ advocates through the RISE advocacy program and amplify patient voices in research and policy. Under her leadership, YSC's advocacy efforts resulted in reauthorization of the EARLY Act, legislation that prioritizes the unique needs of young adults with breast cancer. She also worked with the Community Breast Reconstruction Alliance to ensure DIEP flap remains covered by insurance, influenced NCCN guideline updates, and helped author the National Cancer Survivorship Act. She also created YSC's Face2Face program, building a grassroots network that has grown to 130+ local meetup groups nationwide, connecting thousands of young adults facing breast cancer with peer support in their own communities.
“Mary’s deep understanding of our community, her steady leadership, and her ability to turn vision into action have shaped so much of what YSC is today,” says Jennifer Merschdorf, Chief Executive Officer of YSC. “This promotion is a reflection of her dedication and the trust she’s earned across our organization and the young breast cancer community.”
Desirée A.H. Walker, President of YSC’s Board of Directors, shares, “The entire Board is thrilled to see Mary Ajango as our Executive Director. A tireless champion of our mission, her leadership has strengthened programs, built vital community partnerships, and advanced our impact—positioning our leadership team to dream bigger, opening the door to an even greater future for YSC and the community we serve.”
In her new role, Mary will continue to build on YSC’s strong foundation—working alongside Jennifer Merschdorf, Chief Executive Officer, and Stacy Lewis, Chief Program Officer and Deputy CEO, to expand resources, deepen partnerships, and ensure that every young person diagnosed with breast cancer has access to the information, connection, and support they deserve.
This new chapter also reflects a time of intentional growth for YSC. As the needs of our community evolve, so too does our organization. The expansion of our executive leadership team allows us to bring even greater focus, innovation, and long-term strategy to the work ahead. It’s a testament to YSC’s momentum and our collective commitment to serving the young breast cancer community for decades to come.
“This community inspires me every day,” Mary shares. “The courage, resilience, and hope I see in our members is what drives me to lead with purpose. I’m honored to help guide YSC into its next era of growth—one where every young person knows they are seen, supported, and never alone.”
Mary’s blend of strategic leadership and genuine compassion embodies YSC’s mission and spirit. With her at the helm, and the continued collaboration of our dedicated leadership team and staff, the future of YSC is bright—and full of possibility.
