Jennie Sheridan

Expect Miracles Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Jennie Sheridan to the position of Director of Programs.

Meet Jennie Sheridan, Expect Miracle Foundation’s Director of Programs

Describe your role at the Foundation.

I’m honored to serve as Director of Programs at EMF where we rally the financial services industry and beyond to invest in life-saving cancer research while advancing the financial and emotional health of people impacted by cancer.  I’m responsible for EMF’s Samfund grant program for young adult cancer survivors. Those diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18-39 are a vulnerable and underserved segment of the cancer community. At EMF we help them regain their financial footing by providing grants to supplement payment of essential expenses following their treatment.

Tell us about what you did prior to joining the EMF team.

I bring to the Foundation more than 12 years of leading, managing, coordinating, and monitoring research studies in academic and medical settings. I’ve worked on a range of projects across therapeutic areas from clinical trials to educational programs and evaluations. My experience in project management, data management, grant writing, and peer to peer fundraising all set me up for a strong start leading program management at EMF.

Additionally, I’m actively involved in a variety of nonprofit and community groups, and have held leadership positions in four nonprofit organizations, including Vice Chairman of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Board, which year over year set new records in fundraising achievement, and as chair of grants committee for a local educational nonprofit, experience that blends well with the Samfund grant program at EMF.

What inspires you to work for Expect Miracles?

Supporting the cancer community is a cause that is personal and incredibly meaningful to me. My older sister Molly lost her life to brain cancer in 2008 at age 36. My brother John succumbed to brain cancer in 2009 at age 32. My sister Mary lost her life to melanoma at age 35 in 2011. All three were young adults who had to navigate the financial challenges brought on by their diagnoses. No family should endure this scale of devastation and loss, much less the additional stress caused by unexpected financial burdens.  I am inspired to work at EMF because it affords me the chance to bring my personal and professional experience to a leadership role where I can bring hope to people and families impacted by cancer.

What are your hopes for the Foundation?

I look forward to increasing our connections in the cancer community so we can expand our reach to more young adults in need of financial assistance. Hand in hand with reaching more survivors is also building relationships with both current and new supporters of the Foundation so we have the capabilities and means to increase our impact. I am excited to continue to advancing progress in cancer research and bringing hope to young adult cancer survivors with the incredible team at EMF.

What are your interests outside of work?

For more than 15 years, I’ve made the deliberate decision to channel my sadness and family’s loss into a greater purpose. That has included running the Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where I found meaning in each mile run in memory of my sisters and brother. As mentioned previously, I am an active volunteer in my community serving on volunteer boards that support both educators and students alike. And, of course, I treasure the time I get to spend with family near and far as I am keenly aware of the value of our time together.

What are you most proud of?

I’m a determined and driven person and proud to have independently raised over $425,000 for a top cancer institute, fulfilling a personal mission to support essential cancer research and families impacted by a cancer.