Bringing together decades of experience, the Gateway Leadership Team directs our mission to fund meaningful and breakthrough cancer clinical trials to help people living with cancer to live longer, feel better and conquer cancer TODAY! The Leadership Team consists of several key departments including Executive, Development and Research & Grants. Listed are some of the dedicated individuals who make up our dynamic team.
Michael Jessup
Interim CEO
Michael Jessup joins Gateway for Cancer Research with a wealth of experience—and a personal commitment to the fight against cancer. With three decades spent leading nonprofits and raising millions for causes that matter, Michael brings both professional know-how and heartfelt inspiration to the role. Cancer has touched his own life, fueling his dedication to advancing Gateway’s mission and bringing hope to others facing the disease.
Over the past 30 years, Michael has shaped organizations as Executive Director of the Susan G. Komen Maryland Affiliate, CEO at the Maryland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts and Alzheimer’s Community Care, and in key leadership posts at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Shands Healthcare (UFHealth). He’s also made his mark as an independent consultant, helping nonprofits grow, thrive, and make a real difference. Known for closing complex, transformational gifts—including a $21 million cash/planned gift and a $33 million real estate donation—Michael has a proven record of building revenue, launching impactful programs, and guiding teams and boards to success.
Beyond his professional achievements, Michael has given his time and expertise to numerous healthcare organizations, serving on boards and volunteering for the National Kidney Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy. He’s also held leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and The Advisory Board Leadership Philanthropy Council.
A proud graduate of Towson University, Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing. As he steps into his new chapter at Gateway for Cancer Research, he’s driven by both experience and personal resolve—to help move the mission forward and make a meaningful impact for those touched by cancer.
Delora Senft
Chief Operating Officer
For more than a decade, Delora Senft has been instrumental in bringing focus to Gateway for Cancer Research and its vision to shape a world in which a cancer diagnosis is no longer feared. As the organization’s chief operating officer, she is instrumental in overseeing Gateway’s function, financial priorities and funding mechanisms. This includes strategic oversight of marketing, donor relations and fundraising activities as well as developing and nurturing relationships with renowned hospitals, health care institutions and organizations that share Gateway’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it. In her previous role as director of strategic partnerships, Delora worked closely with an external review committee of physicians, research scientists and other clinicians to evaluate grant applications and make appropriate funding recommendations to the Gateway Board of Directors. Delora’s relentless passion for advancing early phase research stems from having lost her brother cancer and a promise she made to help spare others a similar fate.
Jeremy Alonso
Director of Operations
Maria Aroz
Creative Director
Natalia Mihilli
Vice President of Development
Hunter Patton-Gentert, PharmD
Director of Clinical Science
Kim Schwartz
Grants Program Manager
Kari Watts
Director of Marketing
