The SIOP Women Leaders Network is happy to welcome three new leaders to its Steering Group: Liz Sniderman, Co-Chair, and Constance Khumbo Nyasulu, Mariana Nana and Khilola Rustamova, Steering Group Members. Welcome to the new roles!

Ms. Liz Sniderman, MPH MSN, is a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner who has worked with children with cancer for over 15 years. She obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015, and obtained a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in December 2023.  In addition to clinical duties, Liz has worked with St. Jude Global with the Global Nursing program, the ARIA Guide program, and the EURO Regional Program, supporting various research and programmatic initiatives to improve the care of children with cancer around the world. Liz was previously a Steering Group member of the SIOP Women Leaders in Pediatric Oncology Network and the Vice Chair of the APHON ACE Center Committee, and previously served as the co-chair of the SIOP Global Health Nursing Working Group and on the SIOP Education and Training Network. Liz is currently working as a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Canada, and as a consultant for St. Jude Global.

Ms. Constance Khumbo Nyasulu, MDS, BSW, is a dedicated Senior Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Social Worker and certified Practice Educator currently serving with Global HOPE Malawi. She holds a Master of Arts in Development Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, and a University Certificate in Psychosocial Counselling. With over a decade of experience in child welfare and protection, she has devoted her career to supporting children with cancer and their families through comprehensive psychosocial care. Her core competencies include psychosocial assessment, social protection, grief and bereavement counselling, advocacy, case management, and multidisciplinary care coordination. Constance is a passionate advocate for community engagement and health education, with a strong belief in local fundraising and resource mobilization as vital tools for building sustainable, family-centred support systems. She currently co-leads the “My Child Matters” grant project, which aims to reduce stigma and improve early detection of childhood cancers through grassroots awareness campaigns. She recently was awarded the 2025 Young SIOP Congress investigator award. In collaboration with Malawi’s Ministry of Health, Constance has contributed to the development of educational materials on childhood cancer and palliative care, tailored for rural communities. She also plays an instrumental role in organizing national awareness events, facilitating capacity-building workshops, and mentoring emerging professionals in healthcare and social work. Known for her inclusive and action-oriented leadership style, Constance is also a vocal champion of women’s empowerment and is committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of female leaders in health and social services.

Dr. Mariana Nana is a pediatric oncologist committed to improving cancer care for children, adolescents, and young adults (AYA) across Latin America. With a strong clinical background, regional collaboration, and health equity, Dr. Nana has led initiatives aimed at reducing survival gaps in resource-limited settings. Her work focuses on strengthening AYA cancer programs, promoting cross-border partnerships, and advocating for early diagnosis and comprehensive care. Fully aligned with SIOP’s global mission, she brings a strong voice for Latin America and a deep commitment to improving access to care of young people affected by cancer.

Dr. Khilola Rustamova, from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a pediatric oncologist-hematologist with a strong academic and clinical background. After earning her medical degree from the First Tashkent Medical Institute in 1998 and completing a hematology residency in 2001, she began her career in academia, later defending her dissertation in 2008 and becoming an Associate Professor in 2014. She completed a prestigious one-year international fellowship in South Korea in 2018, training in top pediatric oncology and hematology centers, and has since served in leading national institutions, including the National Children’s Medical Center (since 2020) and the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology (since 2024). Alongside her clinical work, she collaborates with the WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a national liaison and contributes to improving access to pediatric cancer medicines in Uzbekistan. Her global training includes programs in Armenia (2024, 2025), Egypt (2024), and the USA (2023), further strengthening her expertise in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, pediatric hematology-oncology, and infection prevention and control.

Our sincere thanks go to outgoing members: Dr. Faith Gibson, Dr. Amita Trehan and Dr. Eman Al Shamsi, for serving on the WLPO Network Steering Group in the past 2 years.