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Academic & Organizational Excellence (AOE)

Attendees participate in a conference session during the 2026 Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Microbiome Conference.

Building Leaders. Advancing Collaboration. Accelerating Cancer Research.

Breakthroughs happen when talented people connect across disciplines, institutions, and communities. AOE makes this happen for faculty, researchers, trainees, clinicians, administrators, and staff specifically to foster the development in the critical areas of career-advancing and innovation-fueling leadership, mentorship, and collaboration.

AOE Leadership

The program is led by Cynthia Owusu, MD, MS, Case CCC’s Associate Director for Academic & Organizational Excellence and member of the Population and Cancer Prevention Program, with program coordination by Aneesah Davis-Carothers, MBA.

AOE Helps You:

• Build professional connections across the consortium
• Develop leadership and communication skills
• Find mentors and collaborators
• Strengthen interdisciplinary team science
• Expand professional development opportunities
• Engage with the broader cancer research community

How Does AOE Work?

AOE creates learning and professional development opportunities, such as the Emerging Leader’s Program, designed to cultivate such outcomes as strategic thinking, decision-making, communication, conflict resolution, change management, emotional intelligence, coaching, relationship building, succession planning, inclusive leadership, and more.

Great cancer research begins with great people. By connecting researchers, educators, clinicians, and staff across the consortium, AOE fosters the leadership, relationships, and collaboration that turn ideas into discoveries—and discoveries into better outcomes.

Programs & Opportunities

Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) for Early Career Researchers
Participants prepare for leadership roles in cancer research, academic medicine, education, and administration. Developed with Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management, the 24-month program combines:

  • Leadership development
  • Structured mentorship
  • Collaborative learning
  • Hands-on leadership experience
  • Scholar-led initiatives
  • Executive MBA coursework

These skills strengthen strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, and organizational leadership skills while building meaningful connections across the consortium.