Cancer Support Community South Bay (CSC South Bay) has announced the appointments of Jillian Van Leuven as its new executive director/CEO and Kelli Vieweg as the new president of the board of directors. These leadership transitions follow last year’s relocation to Torrance’s Rolling Hills Plaza after 34 years on the Redondo Beach Pier.
CSC South Bay offers 200 free support programs each month for cancer patients and their families. Van Leuven brings an accomplished background spanning over two decades in the nonprofit sector. Most recently she was the Executive Director of MERCI, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit serving the developmentally disabled. She has a proven track record of facilitating progressive organizational growth through the development of new service lines, mentoring, developing staff and fostering community support.
Van Leuven holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. Having recently lost her best friend to lymphoma, CSC South Bay’s mission is particularly close to her heart.
“CSC South Bay’s mission connects to me on a deeply personal level,” Van Leuven said. “The work this organization does is vital for those affected by cancer. I am thrilled to be leading in CSC South Bay’s growth and extending its reach to serve an even wider community.”
Van Leuven succeeds Interim Executive Director/CEO Jackie Suiter, who led the organization during the transition period following the departure of Joey Shanahan earlier this year. Suiter will continue to serve as CSC South Bay’s director of development.
Vieweg has served on the board of directors for CSC South Bay since 2020 and was appointed president in January 2023. She will lead the board in developing a new strategic plan and support the administrative staff’s efforts in fundraising and expansion of CSC South Bay’s programs and services. Vieweg is a certified human resources professional, and owner of CMCK consulting, in Torrance. She brings an extensive background in finance, information technology and human resources. Vieweg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. Her family has also been impacted by cancer, including two of her grandparents and her mother. She is a sustaining Patroness with National Charity League.
“ I am honored and excited to take on this new role,” said Vieweg. “As president, the first priority was finding a new leader for CSC South Bay. I join my fellow board members in welcoming Jillian Van Leuven. She brings a wealth of nonprofit leadership experience and unparalleled passion to our mission. We have every confidence that she will bring CSC South Bay to even greater heights.”
For more information about Cancer Support Community South Bay visit CSCSouthBay.org. ER
