CARY, N.C. (November 12, 2026) – The V Foundation for Cancer Research today announced that Kelley Haggert has been named Chief Marketing Officer, effective Monday, November 30. Haggert joins from FC Cincinnati, where she has served as Chief Marketing Officer. She will report to CEO Brandi Williams Broome and lead the V Foundation’s brand, marketing, and communications.
Haggert brings more than two decades of transformational marketing and communications leadership across sports, entertainment, philanthropy, and business. At FC Cincinnati, she was promoted from Vice President to Senior Vice President to Chief Marketing Officer. She oversaw the club’s brand and fan engagement strategy, and rebuilt its integrated marketing and communications function into a commercial engine for the organization.
Before FC Cincinnati, Haggert led corporate and executive communications at TransUnion and Verizon, and global communications and content at Kearney. She spent nearly three years as a senior communications officer at the Gates Foundation. Her career began with 10 years at The Walt Disney Company, where she held progressive leadership roles with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Disney Publishing Worldwide, and The Walt Disney Studios.
“Kelley is known for turning brands into cultural forces and vision into business results,” said Brandi Williams Broome, CEO of the V Foundation. ” She pairs strong storytelling with the fan-building discipline of professional sports, and she knows how to turn attention into lasting support. I’m thrilled to welcome her to the V team.”
As Chief Marketing Officer, Haggert will lead the V Foundation’s brand strategy, storytelling, communications, and audience growth. Her focus will be to grow awareness of the V Foundation, reach new generations of supporters, and turn that awareness into donors who give year after year.
“As a member of Canada’s national rhythmic gymnastics team for six years, I learned that you don’t quit when it gets hard,” said Haggert. “Jim Valvano said it better than anyone, and more than 30 years later his words of ‘Don’t Give Up…Don’t Ever Give Up!’ still move people to act. The V Foundation has a remarkable story: the best scientists, a rigorous selection process, and 100% of direct donations going to cancer research. My job is to make sure far more people hear it, feel it, and decide to be part of this tremendous mission. I can’t wait to get started.”
Haggert holds an honors B.A. from the University of Toronto and an honors B.A. from Ryerson University. She serves on the board of directors of Film Cincinnati.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator, and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded over $500 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. To learn more, visit v.org.
Media contact
Alex Paterson
V Foundation for Cancer Research
[email protected]
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