OCRA’s dedicated staff members bring passion, expertise, and a collaborative spirit to the fight against ovarian and related gynecologic cancers. Whether spearheading innovative research initiatives or creating engaging support programs, OCRA’s team is devoted to advancing progress and igniting hope. Together, we are committed to improving the lives of patients and their families, ensuring anyone impacted by gynecologic cancer feels understood, empowered, and supported.
Audra Moran
President & CEO
As President & CEO of Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), Audra heads the largest global charity for ovarian and related gynecologic cancer research and advocacy. She directs overall strategy, operations, and fundraising to promote progress and awareness while hastening breakthroughs in diagnostics and treatments with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
Sarah DeFeo
Chief Program Officer
Sarah DeFeo, OCRA’s Chief Program Officer, joined OCRA in November 2008 and oversees OCRA’s annual grant solicitation and review progress, working closely with the Scientific Advisory Committee. Under her leadership, applications to OCRA’s three research grant programs have quadrupled.
Vice President, Support & Education
Senior Director, Treatment Access and Scientific Education
Senior Director, Social Work Education and Research
Director, Patient Support
Director, Survivors Teaching Students®
Director, Education
Senior Manager, Patient Support
Senior Manager, Programs
Manager, Programs
Jon Zeidman
Chief Development Officer
Jon Zeidman is OCRA’s Chief Development Officer and is responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of OCRA’s fundraising programs including annual giving, major gifts, direct mail, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and special events. He has more than 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.
Lydia Smith
Senior Director, Operations
Lydia Smith is OCRA’s Senior Director, Operations. She joined OCRA in 2024 and oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, maintaining office management, IT, and Human Resources while serving as a member of the finance team and collaborating with various departments and teams. She works to implement new initiatives to improve operational effectiveness.
Amanita Duga-Carroll
CEO, ADC Strategic Communications
Duga-Carroll is a results-oriented senior level global communications executive with a proven track record of leadership, achievement and delivery in fast-moving, competitive markets. She is CEO of ADC Strategic Communications, and in May 2023, joined OCRA as a consultant, leading OCRA’s communications and marketing initiatives. Recognized for strategic brand launches and stewardship; developing successful public relations campaigns that move the needle on a brand’s business objectives, as well as strategies that tap into new industries and uncharted waters. She is a former reporter with a keen sense of news value; a professional media trainer, seasoned on-camera spokesperson and an expert in crisis communications.
In a recent article for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jeff Guttenfelder spoke with journalist Ciara McCarthy about losing his late wife, Ni, to ovarian cancer, and how he is channeling his grief into action through participation in OCRA’s Survivors Teaching Students program. Read the article “Fort Worth man’s wife died of ovarian cancer” in the … Continued
KVIA-TV ABC-7 News El Paso recently spotlighted the groundbreaking work of OCRA-funded researcher Daniel Heller, PhD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, whose research lab is working to develop a liquid biopsy that uses nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect ovarian cancer earlier. We’re developing a liquid biopsy that uses nano sensors and AI … Continued
Videos from the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) 2025 International Gynecologic Cancer Conference are now available to watch online — offering free educational sessions on ovarian and gynecologic cancer research, treatment, and patient care. For the first time, OCRA is releasing the full suite of videos shortly after the event — removing barriers to access so that anyone can learn directly from top experts. … Continued
Get email updates about research news, action alerts, and ways to join the fight.
