Heather Simonsen, MA
Heather Simonsen, MA, is a highly accomplished senior manager of public affairs at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the (the U). As a graduate of the Huntsman Cancer Institute , Heather leads a talented team of public relations specialists, promoting and managing the institute's reputation on the world stage. She successfully leads strategies for high-level national, regional, and local news coverage, planning and hosting major public events, media training for clinicians, and VIP and public tours of the cancer center. She also hosts and is the executive producer of the Delivering a Cancer-Free Frontier podcast.
Heather is a former TV news reporter for KSL 5 News (NBC) and a PR professional with the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. She holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Brigham Young ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ and a Bachelor of Journalism from the ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Texas at Austin where she is a magna cum laude graduate of the Senior Fellows honors program. Heather has also presented at national conferences and received numerous awards, including a 2024 Public Affairs & Marketing Network Award and six Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy Awards.
Nina Earnest
Nina Earnest joined Huntsman Cancer Institute as a public affairs specialist in 2024. Before joining the team, she worked as a podcast producer for over a decade. Nina is an award-winning storyteller who has spearheaded a variety of creative projects in several genres, including history, politics, and investigative journalism. She is excited to be using her research and writing skills in health care communications.
Nina loves her home state of Iowa — but has happily decided to make Utah and its mountains home.
Hanna Leslie
Hanna Leslie joined Huntsman Cancer Institute as a public affairs associate in September 2024. She started as a marketing and communications intern with Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF) while studying at the ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah. After graduating in May 2024 with a bachelors in strategic communications, her internship at HCF increased her passion for working at Huntsman Cancer Institute and making an impact.
Outside of her professional life, Hanna is always seeking her next adventure. She enjoys hiking, hot yoga, camping, and cooking with friends.
Amy Olsen
Amy Olsen has worked for Huntsman Cancer Institute since November 2018, and in healthcare most of her life. Her passion for cancer care runs deep. In her free time, she volunteers as a board member for a local cancer foundation that helps families with ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵren who have cancer. Amy is a true ambassador as her social media work demonstrates her empathy and pride in Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Emily Bade
Emily joined the Communications team at Huntsman Cancer Institute in May of 2022. They provide a variety of photo and video services for Huntsman Cancer Institute, producing media to help tell meaningful stories about the work happening here. One of their favorite parts of their role has been interviewing the incredible providers and researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and becoming a licensed drone pilot and photographer.
Emily loves documenting their travels with their wife and spending time at home with their menagerie of pets.
Jill Woods
Jill Woods has been a part of the Public Affairs & Communications departments since 2001. She serves as the office manager to both teams and as an executive assistant to Ashlee Harrison, executive director of innovation and transformation at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Jill also manages HCI-RN and RS auditorium scheduling, compiles the daily news clip report, handles department purchases, assists with budget management, general office needs, and other special projects.