Magnolia Contreras, MSW, MBA joined Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2007 and is the current Director of Community Benefits. In this role, she is charged with helping the Institute carry out its community benefits mission through the delivery of evidence-based cancer prevention, screening and early detection programs.

Prior to joining Dana-Farber, Ms. Contreras was employed by AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts where she served in senior executive roles as the Director of External Affairs and Director of Public Policy and Community Relations. Additionally, she had a consulting services practice in non-profit management and political coaching and research.

Ms. Contreras is a graduate of Boston College, Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work and Suffolk University Sawyer Business School. She has been an Adjunct Faculty member in the Graduate School of Social Work at Salem State University, Simmons College and Boston College.

Ms. Contreras has a strong record of community service through her philanthropic and volunteer efforts.  Presently she serves on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Industrial Corporation of Lynn as appointed by the Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. In this role, she is able to increase access to low interest loans to small business owners including minority business owners.  For over a decade, she served on the Board of Directors of the Lynn Community Health Center and chaired the Center’s Capital Campaign Committee. She also serves on Salem State University Trustees’ Academic and Student Life Committee.

Ms. Contreras’ efforts have been widely recognized through numerous awards and recognitions for her professional and volunteer endeavors. She lives in Lynn, Massachusetts where she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.