In a message to the American Cancer Society employees, Chief Marketing Officer Kymm Martinez shared that Stephanie (Steph) Johnson will be joining the American Cancer Society as senior vice president, Communications, as of Monday, May 1.
As leader of ACS enterprise communications, Steph will serve as a senior strategic adviser to our organization’s executive and volunteer leadership teams on highly important issues and risk-related matters. Additionally, Steph will lead the reimagining of our strategic approach to internal communications, executive communications, media relations, and issues management to deliver high-quality results, while elevating and expanding ACS’ mission, reputation, and relevance within the healthcare industry. In this vital role, Steph will also be a member of ACS’ Executive Team, where her diverse experience and expertise will be a welcomed addition to our leadership discussions.
“I am confident that Steph’s talents will greatly complement those of our expert Marcom team as they work together to tell ACS’ powerful story in new and meaningful ways that translate our business needs and goals into compelling and inclusive marketing and communications strategies,” Kymm shared.
An Emmy award-winning journalist, Steph brings more than 20 years of media, marketing, and public relations experience. Having recently served as vice president of Global Accounts in North America at Hotwire Global, she oversaw executive communications, media, and speaker training for c-suite leaders, as well as brand reputation, crisis, and issues management for some of the world’s most innovative tech brands.
Prior to her role at Hotwire, Steph was vice president of Communications and Product Strategies for the American Medical Association (AMA), where she led internal communications, external communications, and national campaigns in pursuit of a healthier nation with some of the world's leading health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Steph is also the brainchild behind the highly successful Release the Pressure national campaign aimed at improving heart health in under-served predominantly Black communities. In her role as vice president of Public Affairs at Advocate Aurora Health, she oversaw media relations, internal communications, crisis communications, social media, and the Chicago-based health system’s consumer health website, health enews.
Earlier in her career, Steph spent more than seven years as a journalist, serving as a segment producer for ABC News Good Morning America in New York City, and an associate producer and researcher for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. Additionally, Steph brings extensive experience as a former freelance producer for the Chicago bureaus of ABC and NBC News and as a television news anchor and reporter for 16 WAPT News, the ABC affiliate station in her hometown of Jackson, MS. Steph has received national recognition for her work to improve healthcare in America, including features in EBONY and ESSENCE magazines and appearances on the Roland Martin Show and The Breakfast Club. Steph was also invited by EBONY’s CEO to present the Science Innovator of the Year award to the lead scientist behind the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the EBONY Power 100 awards ceremony.
Steph graduated summa cum laude from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in speech and dramatic Arts. She currently resides in Madison, MS, with her daughter Blake Harper who is her absolute pride and joy.
Please join in welcoming Steph to the ACS family!
