Lisa Steele Announces Retirement from Chai Cancer Care

After 23 years dedicated to Chai Cancer Care, Chief Executive Lisa Steele has decided to retire, stepping down in early 2025.

Lisa started at Chai in 2001 as a Volunteer Counsellor and took on a series of roles at the organisation before being appointed Chief Executive in 2012.

Lisa has worked closely with Chairman Louise Hager, in directing Chai’s strategic development to see it now caring for over 4,300 cancer patients and operating from 11 centres nationally. She also navigated the organisation through the Covid pandemic as demands for Chai’s remote services rocketed. Most significantly perhaps, has been the expansion of Chai’s service provision from 43 services on offer in 2012 to the 68 available today.

“It was always clear to me that each and every person affected by a cancer diagnosis, whether that is the patient or their family member, is an individual with their own specific needs” said Lisa. “With the age span of our clients ranging from 3-98, it was vital that we extend our range of services and provide personalised support and care at each stage of their cancer journey.”

Explaining her tough decision, Lisa said, “It has been an immense privilege to serve our community through Chai. I step down confident that the organisation is in a strong position with a highly skilled and devoted team. It was a difficult decision for me personally, but the time has come to spend more time with my family and in particular my grandchildren.”

Chairman, Louise Hager, said, “Lisa has been an exceptional partner in the development of Chai. We regularly talk about the Chai Family and Lisa will always be a big part of it. On behalf of myself, the trustees, staff, volunteers and the tens of thousands of people whose lives have been supported and improved by Lisa’s dedication and commitment, we express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks.”

Chair of Chai’s Medical Advisory Panel, Dr Adrian Tookman, said, “Lisa’s experience and expertise has helped Chai become not only an outstanding service provider for the UK Jewish community but, importantly, is also recognised as a blueprint for supportive cancer care, both nationally and internationally.”

Although Lisa is retiring from her full-time role, it is anticipated she will continue her connection to the organisation in some capacity.

“My heart is and will always be with Chai. It has been a major part of my life for over two decades. Chai is a family and I know that whenever I walk into any of our centres anywhere in the country, I am arriving at a place I call home.”

Chai is beginning a recruitment process and the trustees will be working towards ensuring a smooth transition.