Big discoveries deserve big voices. At the MCW Cancer Center, Communications team members make sure every breakthrough, initiative, and event gets the spotlight it deserves. They write stories that stick with readers. They build websites that are easy to use and hard to forget. They plan events that bring people together and keep them talking. You won’t always see them but their work is everywhere. They elevate the brand, drive strategy, and bring clarity to complexity. From newsletters and media pitches to social posts and presentation decks, this team helps power the mission behind the scenes. Its impact? Measured not just in clicks or views but in awareness, connection, and progress.
Meet the Team
Lee Dickert, Senior Communications Consultant, joined the MCW Cancer Center in July 2021 and has played a key role in shaping the Center’s messaging and digital foundation. When she arrived, the Center needed updated materials like a strategic plan, fact sheets, and a stronger website. Lee helped bring these pieces to life and continues to lead content strategy for the Center’s growing digital presence.
Additionally, Lee collaborates with MCW’s Office of Institutional Advancement to support philanthropic campaigns that bring in resources and new opportunities for cancer research. Her work helps attract new faculty, strengthen confidence in the Center, and showcase the impact of science in motion. She also contributes to major initiatives like planning the opening of the MCW Center for Cancer Discovery (CCD) and pursuit of NCI designation.
Lee finds purpose in helping people understand the value of cancer research and takes pride in creating content that makes people stop, read, and believe in what’s possible. She says the website may have been a labor of love, but seeing it become a tool for connection has made every step worthwhile.
Tina MacDonald, MA, Senior Communications Consultant, joined the MCW Cancer Center in September 2022 and has helped shape how the Center tells its story online, in print, and everywhere in between. She oversees messaging across internal and external platforms, ensuring the Center’s voice is clear, consistent, and aligned with its mission. Tina is the editorial engine behind the Cancer Code and CTO Monthly, and in 2023 launched a community newsletter to bring stories beyond the Center’s walls.
She has also helped grow the Center’s social media reach and engagement by shaping strategy, launching campaigns like #TherapyThursday, and working with her team to make cancer science more accessible and relatable. Her work spans major efforts, from messaging around the opening of the CCD to communications tied to NCI designation. She’s also helping bring Audaxity to life as part of the marketing committee and by driving fundraising efforts for her team, Happy Meals on Wheels.
Tina says effective communication is essential for driving progress, because discoveries can’t change lives if no one hears about them. With a sharp pen and even sharper team members, she helps ensure the Cancer Center’s work gets seen, shared, and remembered. Just don’t ask her to write anything without an Oxford comma.
Michele Ward, Events Consultant, has been with the MCW Cancer Center since September 2012, coordinating symposia, retreats, speaker series, and a wide range of special events that bring scientists, researchers, and collaborators together. Over the years, she has seen the Center grow dramatically and has worn many hats, stepping into a variety of support roles whenever needed.
Michele is the lead strategist and creative force behind some of the Center’s largest and most anticipated gatherings, including the annual Trainee Symposium and the Scientific Retreat. She also coordinates research program retreats, external speaker seminars, and a range of internal events, helping foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and strengthen the scientific community across MCW and beyond.
Her impact goes beyond logistics. As an artist outside of work, Michele brings creativity, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the Center’s mission to every event she plans. Whether it’s a small seminar or a full-scale retreat, she’s always ready to add a thoughtful touch—and maybe a little extra color.
Jessica (Jess) Hofmeyer, Communications Consultant, joined the MCW Cancer Center in January and quickly brought creativity, strategy, and a storyteller’s eye to the team. She writes and edits content for the Cancer Code and Audaxity newsletters, develops content for the Center’s social media channels, and supports the digital footprint of the Audaxity ride.
Jess sees communications as a way to amplify the incredible work happening at the Cancer Center and build meaningful connections with both internal and external audiences. A recent highlight was seeing one of her Cancer Code articles spark a collaboration between two investigators whose work aligned in powerful and unexpected ways.
In addition to writing, she brings skills in graphic design and video editing, thanks to her film degree from DePaul University. If you’ve seen a polished visual or eye-catching post recently, she likely had a hand in it.