Maria Montoya

After navigating her own experience with cancer, Maria transformed that journey into a passion-fueled career dedicated to improving the lives of others through advocacy, research, and systems-level change in psychosocial oncology care. Maria is a certified Leader in Oncology Navigation (LION) through the American Cancer Society, an After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Mentor, and a Tigerlily Foundation ANGEL Advocate. She serves as co-chair of the Patient & Family Advisory Council at Siteman Cancer Center, where she partners with leadership to ensure that patient and caregiver perspectives are embedded in strategic planning and decision-making. She also volunteers with Cancer Support Community to support individuals impacted by cancer whenever possible.

She contributes to research at the Health Design and Impact Lab at Washington University, focusing on systems that influence oncology patient navigation and survivorship. Her path to this work follows a long and successful career in talent development, organizational development, and consulting. Now pursuing licensure in social work with a concentration in health and systems dynamics, she integrates her commitment to human well-being with her expertise in organizational change. Whether walking alongside individuals facing cancer or helping organizations clarify their values and culture, she finds purpose in elevating both personal and collective well-being. She believes deeply that organizations are more than the sum of their parts—and that each person matters.