When Regina Ellis founded Children’s Cancer Association in 1995, she had no way of knowing the Joyful difference she’d create for thousands of young patients and their families—not only in her home state of Oregon, but in pediatric hospitals across the country. As we celebrate our silver anniversary and 25 years of Joy delivery, we do so with a bold vision for our future—and now, with a new leader at our helm.

We are pleased to announce that our President and General Manager, Danielle York, has been named CCA’s new CEO. Regina will continue to serve as our Chief Joy Officer, working behind the scenes to support the expansion of CCA’s Joy-producing programs. This has been a long-planned transition and represents a critical next step in advancing our mission of delivering JoyRx to seriously ill children and teens nationwide.

“I am confident in Danielle as she leads CCA into this next chapter,” says Regina. “She has met, and exceeded, every goal that we’ve put in front of her, and I’m incredibly excited to see the impact that she will undoubtably have as we continue to grow.”

Danielle brings 25 years of corporate philanthropy, stakeholder relationship management, marketing, operations, and business development experience supporting highly successful US and global brands. Prior to joining CCA, Danielle was COO, US Western Region, for Edelman, the world’s largest communications marketing agency. She has worked across industries, running large functions at Fortune 100 companies like Nike and Albertsons. In addition, she has served on the board of directors of multiple non-profit organizations, including Portland Center Stage at the Armory, E3 (Employers for Education Excellence), and The Children’s Relief Nursery.

Danielle first joined CCA as President and General Manager in 2018. Immediately, she worked to grow program reach, expanding CCA’s pediatric hospital relationships nationwide while strategically growing revenue goals and corporate partnerships. Through the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Danielle has also led CCA’s careful stewardship of mission delivery and organizational sustainability through these unprecedented times.

“I am grateful to Regina and the CCA board of directors for their trust and confidence in me as we continue this period of growth and expansion at CCA. It’s been a privilege to work closely with Regina the last few years, alongside a team of people who inspire me day in and day out,” says Danielle. “We have set lofty goals to ensure our programs benefit as many seriously ill children as possible, and I’m honored to help steward our organization into this next era of impact and purpose.”

Since its founding in 1995, CCA has grown to become one of the largest and most respected children’s healthcare organizations in the Pacific Northwest, delivering the healing power of JoyRx more than one million times to young patients facing serious illness, as well as their families. Over the last few years, Regina has led CCA towards a new vision: dramatically changing the pediatric healthcare environment, with the aim of making Joy-producing programs a standard of care in every pediatric hospital across the nation. In her new role, she will focus her energy on key areas related to the board of directors, philanthropy, science of joy, and championing the organization in communities across the nation.

“Founding CCA, and watching it grow, has been one of my life’s greatest accomplishments, says Regina. “I’m forever grateful to each and every person who helped us along the way.”