Michael Neal

Michael L. Neal is the chief of organizational advancement (COA) with the American Cancer Society. Mike is responsible for leading development work, both in the field and at the enterprise level. He fulfills a mission-critical role that is vital to funding all mission delivery work. Mike oversees all aspects of resource generation, including corporate partnerships, philanthropy, planned giving, direct mail, digital revenue, Discovery Shops, and all community-based fundraising. As COA, Mike ensures the incorporation of national, regional, and local resource generation strategies for both staff and volunteers to truly leverage the inherent strength of the organization to achieve mission goals.

Previously, Mike served as senior executive vice president, field operations, where he was the primary staff liaison between the Society’s executive leadership and the Regions, supervising six Regional Executive Vice Presidents. Prior to that role, Mike served as executive vice president and operating officer of the American Cancer Society’s East Central Division, overseeing Ohio and Pennsylvania.  Mike was the Division’s senior-most staff executive, driving the development and implementation of the Society’s mission and income strategies across both states.  Mike’s role included engaging corporate executives, high-level donors, and leadership volunteers in furthering the fight against cancer.  Under his leadership, the Division served thousands of cancer patients and caregivers each year; engaged thousands of volunteers to support community-based programs; and inspired and equipped hundreds of companies to provide healthy workplaces.

Mike joined the American Cancer Society in 1996 as vice president of the Western Pennsylvania Region.  His leadership led to the development of a new field structure, moving from a unit/county-based model to a region model.  He has served as Chairman of the National Regional Vice Presidents Annual Conference, Chairman of the National Urban Relay For Life Conference, and the Constituents Relationship Tracking and Development Group.  In 2007, he was appointed to the role of Senior Vice President, Division Operations in the East Central Division.  In this role, he led operations for field services in Pennsylvania and Ohio and oversaw the implementation of organizational strategic plans, supervised ten Regional Vice Presidents, and provided leadership in budget oversight, fundraising, mission program delivery, volunteer development, administrative functions, and facility management.

Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Mike served five years as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force in southwestern Pennsylvania. Mike started his professional career serving for nine years as a Public Health Advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and worked as a Social Program Administrator with the Ohio Department of Health in 1990 and 1991.

Mike is a graduate of Edinboro State University. He and his wife Kim reside in North Springfield, Pennsylvania. The Neals have two daughters, Cassidy and Carly, son-in-law Jeff, and granddaughter Emmy.