Animal Cancer Foundation’s Directors voluntarily provide outstanding executive leadership and professional acumen in business, research, finance, marketing, public relations and law.  Many of the members of the board have had a personal experience with cancer in their pet and human family members and understand the community they serve.

Gerald S. Post, DVM, MEM, DACVIM (Oncology) | Founder & President

I founded Animal Cancer Foundation more than 20 years ago, as The Ruth & Sam Newman Initiative, in California. Named in memory of my grandparents “two people who cherished life and whose love, compassion and understanding of all things human and animal will always be remembered.” I realized during my residency in veterinary oncology at the Animal Medical Center and spending time at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center that cancers in pets and people were very similar. I wanted to harness the power of comparative oncology, studying cancers in pets to help people, to help increase the speed of cancer research.

I truly believe that the collaboration and knowledge gained between human and veterinary oncologists through comparative oncology can be used to cure many cancers not only in animals but humans as well.

Dr. Post was most recently the Medical Director at The Veterinary Care Center in Norwalk, CT. He has his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and post graduate degrees from University of Minnesota and Duke University.

Michael Poiani | Board Treasurer

I proudly joined Animal Cancer Foundation as Treasurer in March 2021. ACF’s mission of uniting pet and human cancer research resonates deeply with me as cancer has been an unfortunate presence in my life, impacting both family members with two and four legs. As a finance professional (CPA), it is not often I get to make direct and positive impact in the world on a daily basis and that’s why I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to contribute and support ACF’s financial strategy in our race to cure cancer.

Michael currently leads Technical Accounting and Financial Reporting for Upstart, an organization working to expand access to affordable credit, based in San Mateo, CA. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of Florida. Go Gators!

Loni Edwards | Board Member

I bring to the Board my combined love of dogs with years of legal and business knowledge. I was inspired by the social-media popularity of my late French Bulldog, Chloe, to create The Dog Agency in 2015, as the first talent management agency to focus on pet influencers. The Dog Agency also produces the annual PetCon for pet lovers from around the world.

Loni is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

Barbara Cohen | Executive Director

I joined Animal Cancer Foundation as Executive Director in 2009 because the mission to unite pet and human cancer research resonated with me. As a decade long volunteer with golden retriever rescue, I had witnessed how many dogs were fighting the same cancers that friends and family had also contracted. I was amazed at the information veterinary oncologists had acquired in their care for our pets that wasn’t being tapped by oncology research for people. I want to change that so that both pets and people benefit from the breakthroughs of collaborative research.

Barbara received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and certification in the Community Health Program from Tufts University.  She earned a Masters of Science in Secondary Education/English from Long Island University/CW Post.

Wendy Lee | Director of Marketing

I joined Animal Cancer Foundation in February 2016 after learning the similarities of cancer in people and pets. The mission of uniting pet and human cancer research for a cure struck a chord with me as unfortunately, far too many of us have had cancer impact our lives. I have not been immune to its reach— family, friends and pets—and I wanted to be part of something today that will make a difference for countless tomorrows. Over the last few years, I have been privileged to be part of an amazing organization funding the most groundbreaking and innovative research as it pertains to comparative oncology.

Wendy received her Bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She earned her MBA from Northeastern University.

Cheryl Steinhauer

There is a special place in my heart for all creatures of the world and I will always help them in any way I can. Animal Cancer Foundation gives me the opportunity to help in a profound way. I live on Long Island with my husband David, and our sweet dog Jackson.

Cheryl received her Bachelors Degree in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design.

Karen Labarre

I joined the Animal Cancer Foundation because their mission to help pet and human cancer were near and dear to me. Having had Bernese MT Dogs most of my adult life, I have seen how far the treatments have come. All the dogs I have had had some form of cancer during their life. The advancements in veterinary oncology have made the treatment more readily available to pet parents. 

My career has focused on animal nutrition having earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Most of my time has been spent educating veterinarians and pet parents about the advancements in diet and the impact that quality nutrition can play on their dogs and cats. 

Matthew Vuolo, Esq. | Past President

I’m a dedicated animal lover and I believe strongly in ACF’s mission to help bring an end to cancers that afflict both humans and animals. While at Dewey &  LeBoeuf LLP as a litigation associate, I represented several community-based clients pro bono, including Animal Cancer Foundation.   I developed a strong relationship with the ACF Executive Board which inspired me to submit my candidacy for the Board after my tenure with Dewey.

Matthew is currently Assistant General Counsel at Aon Risk Solutions in New York.  He holds a JD from Rutgers School of Law and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University Graduate School while holding both his BA and BS degrees from Rutgers College.

David C. Levine, MD, FACS | Past President

I served as President of Animal Cancer Foundation Board of Directors from 2007 to 2014 and am delighted to return to the Board as an advisor.  I strongly believe ACF can facilitate the development of far more effective treatments for cancer in both our pets and people through innovative research in comparative oncology.

My wife and I currently live in Connecticut with our incredible Labrador Retriever, Luke.  We have three adult children and one grandchild.

David is Assistant Professor of Surgery (Retired), Hofstra University School of Medicine; Assistant Dean, Clinical Education (retired), New York College of Osteopathic Medicine; former board member of Nassau Physician’s Foundation and former Director, Medical Student Education, Dept. of Surgery, North Shore – LIJ Health System (Northwell Health). He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a post graduate degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine.

Jonathan Peris | Past Treasurer

I joined the ACF Board after losing my 10.5 year old Golden Retriever, Leo, to cancer after six years fighting the disease. Since then, I have become passionate about animals and the groundbreaking work of this organization. I am also an advocate of protecting people’s health. I encourage everyone to leave time for personal fitness and fulfillment. Away from the office, I enjoy the personal rewards of supporting various philanthropies not only serving as an ACF Board Member, but through my participation in competitions such as triathlons.

My affiliation with ACF has allowed me to expand the reach of my health advocacy efforts to pets, as well. I couldn’t be more thrilled by this opportunity to serve both people and pets.

Jon is currently a Private Wealth Advisor at Stifel and founder of Skyline Investments. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Cornell University.

Jennifer Teitler | Past Secretary

Since my first pet bird Pretty Boy, I have always had a love of animals and an appreciation for the bond we share with them.  I was excited about becoming involved with ACF because it’s an organization that takes this bond to another level, by using research to explore the similarities humans and animals share when it comes to cancer.  I have seen too many loved ones – family members, friends and beloved pets – suffer with a cancer diagnosis and it’s exciting to be part of a board whose members share a common passion of finding cures for cancer and ending this terrible disease.  I live in NYC with my husband, son and three cats Babka, Latka and Coco and enjoy the simple pleasures of petting, pouncing and purring.

Jennifer is currently a Senior Vice President, Director at M Booth, an integrated marketing agency. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and studied international relations in Paris.

John R. Considine | Founding Board Member

Animal Cancer Foundation is saddened to announce the passing of founding Board Member,
John R. Considine. John passed away in Connecticut on June 24, 2020 after battling a long
illness. He leaves his loving wife and ACF’s dear friend of more than 25 years, Kelly (O’Reilly)
Considine. Read more…