The UCC Executive Committee oversees coalition efforts around the State Cancer Plan, community engagement, strategic planning, data and evaluation, as well as member support. The work group chairs run the coalition Work Groups.
Executive Committee Members
Belem Holguin-Macias
Chair
Belem Holguin-Macias is a community health educator with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at Huntsman Cancer Institute. She joined HCI in May of 2021, prior to that she worked in early childhood education. Belem has over ten years of experience in education. She is passionate about doing meaningful work where she feels like she is making a difference. She Graduated from the University of Utah with Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Chicana/o studies. When Belem is not working on presentations, community and University partnerships, screening events etc., she enjoys hiking, biking and spending time with her two young boys.
Allie Bain
Access to Healthcare Work Group Chair
Allie Bain (she/her) has spent nearly all of her career working in cancer control across the country. In her current role as Associate Director of State Partnerships at the American Cancer Society, Allie works closely with partners including state cancer coalitions, state health departments and health plans to advance cancer prevention and control strategies based on evidence-based interventions and quality improvement strategies in Colorado and Utah. She also has a special interest in health equity as it relates to rural and frontier populations. In addition to her diverse experience, Allie has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Iowa, a Master’s in Public Health, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from University of Colorado-Boulder.
Danielle forbes
Coalition Coordinator
Danielle Forbes, CHES (she/her) is the Utah Cancer Coalition Program Specialist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Danielle joined Utah DHHS in December of 2021 working in the Healthy Environments Active Living program in hypertension and heart disease as well as in the Utah Produce Rx program which provides fruit and vegetable vouchers to food insecure individuals to help improve their nutrition and reduce their risk of chronic conditions. She is passionate about public health and improving the health and well being of those in her community and has a specific interest in social determinants of health. She graduated from the University of Toledo with her Bachelors and Masters in Public Health.
Kim Herget
Coalition Data Advisory Committee Chair
Kim Herget (she/her) is a biostatistician with the Utah Cancer Registry. She works to disseminate cancer data for the state of Utah so researchers, community organizers, and policy makers have an accurate understanding of how cancer impacts Utahns and make data driven decisions. She works with researchers from around the world to help them utilize the Utah cancer data in their research projects. Her research interests include understanding trends in cancer diagnoses, cancer survival, and the impact of socioeconomic status and other demographics on both screening utilization and cancer diagnoses in our state. Kim has a master’s of statistics in sociology from the University of Utah and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. She has been a member of UCAN since 2009.
Marie Nagata
Breast and Cervical Screening Program Manager
Marie Nagata (she/her) is the Program Manager for the Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program at the Department of Health and Human Services. Marie has spent her entire career serving those who are less fortunate. She tirelessly works to ensure all women have an opportunity to receive cancer screening services, despite their circumstances. She works daily to address barriers to services by identifying and building partnerships in health care and community organizations. She has been a member of UCAN since 2018.
Michelle Swapp, MCHES
Comprehensive Cancer
Michelle Swapp, MCHES (she/her) is the Utah Cancer Action Network Program Specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services. Michelle is passionate about coalition coordination and development as well as Social Determinants of Health. She loves working with people who care about their community and wants to make Utah communities safer, healthier places for everyone.
Conor Sweeney
Screening Work Group Co-Chair
Conor Sweeney oversees state policy and legislative strategy for Susan G. Komen across the Western United States. In this role, he advances high-impact healthcare policies that strengthen access to breast cancer care and shape broader reforms affecting patients with chronic and complex conditions. Previously, Conor served as a Government Affairs Specialist at the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), where he drove legislative strategy, managed political engagement initiatives, and led statewide grassroots mobilization. He also brings direct legislative experience from his tenure with California Assembly member Tim Grayson.
Sarah Desantis
Financial Toxicity Work Group Co-Chair
Sarah is a program manager at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, where she is primarily focused on leading and supporting research studies that are concentrated on skin cancer prevention strategies. Prior to joining HCI, Sarah obtained her Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Within public health, Sarah is interested in food security, cancer prevention, and program management. Outside of work, she enjoys running, gardening, and reading. She has been a UCC member since 2023.
Tammy Stump
Healthy Neighborhoods Work Group Chair
Tammy Stump is a social and health psychologist (PhD, University of Utah, 2016) at the University of Utah, where she works in the Department of Dermatology and at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on developing and testing skin cancer prevention interventions, most of which are community-based or delivered using mobile-health approaches. Originally from rural areas in Pennsylvania, Tammy is passionate about addressing place-based health disparities and ensuring health promotion resources are accessible to everyone. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys kayaking, gardening, and hiking with her partner – and with sunscreen and a hat!