Florida Staff & Volunteers
Susan Harbin - Florida & Puerto Rico Senior Government Relations Director
Susan Harbin is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) Senior Director for Government Relations in Florida and Puerto Rico. She has been recognized nationally as the 2025 Government Relations professional of the year, in honor of her exceptional work advocating for cancer-fighting public policies. Prior to her role at ACS CAN, she served as Deputy Director of Public Policy at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), advocating for Florida’s counties before the state and federal governments. Prior to joining FAC, Ms. Harbin served as Legislative Counsel for the Broward County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards. She is a 2009 graduate of the Florida State University College of Law and has a degree in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Georgia.
Contact: Susan.Harbin@cancer.org
Serena Rodrigues - Florida Grassroots Manager
Serena Rodrigues is a Grassroots Manager covering the Central and Southwest Florida regions. She lives in Orlando and is a proud UCF alum, where she received her bachelor's degree in management and minored in political science. Previously, she worked in the political advocacy space at March for Our Lives, working directly with young leaders across the country. In her free time, you’ll find her supporting the local professional women’s soccer team, the Orlando Pride, or enjoying a sunny afternoon at Disney.
Contact: [email protected]
Natalie Kliné - Florida & Puerto Rico Senior Grassroots Manager
Natalie Kliné is a Senior Grassroots Manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). She oversees the advocacy activities of Florida and Puerto Rico, working directly with volunteers to help pass ACS CAN’s national and state priorities. Natalie has been working in healthcare advocacy for over 20 years, starting her career first as a grant writer and then as a Field Organizer. In her 12 years with ACS CAN, Natalie has worked on a variety of issues from tobacco control and education to increasing funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings. In her personal time, Natalie volunteers for various civic organizations to help improve her community. When she’s not working or volunteering, Natalie spends her time reading on the beach, experimenting in the kitchen, or taking pictures of her cats Penny and Moira.
Contact: [email protected]
Scott R. "Storm" Goodlin - Senior Grassroots Manager
Scott R. "Storm" Goodlin is a Senior Grassroots Manager covering from Daytona Beach to Pensacola areas of the state. He lives in Jefferson County and is a proud alumni member of Florida State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science and minored in Emergency Management. He has a life long passion for eliminating health disparities and breaking down barriers for individuals who live in rural areas. Before joining ACS CAN, Storm spent over a decade working in broadcasting for iHeartMedia.
For relaxation and recovery, you can find him at whatever sporting diamond, field, rink, speedway, pitch or court that happens to be currently in season. He is also a volunteer firefighter, a volunteer for various committees for the county health departments, a transport volunteer for Second Harvest and a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program.
Contact: [email protected]
Valentina Palomina - Senior Regional Media Advocacy Manager
Valentina Palomino is the Senior Regional Media Advocacy Manager for Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico and Texas.
She has worked in health care public relations for most of her career and came to ACS CAN from Parkland Health, in Dallas, Texas. Working closely with the oncology teams at Parkland strengthened her passion for equitable access to care, cancer screenings and prevention.
Valentina grew up in Colombia, Germany, and Houston and now resides in Dallas. She enjoys music, traveling, yoga and cuddling with her two chihuahuas, Stoney and Elfie. She is currently perfecting her at-home matcha latte but loves living near a coffee shop, just in case.
Contact: [email protected]
Patricia Bossert - Director of Grassroots Organizing
Patti Bossert serves as the Director of Grassroots Organizing for the Southeast Region at ACS CAN, where she oversees field organizing and volunteer engagement across seven states and Puerto Rico. She began her career at ACS CAN as a Grassroots Manager in Florida and has held a regional leadership role for 16 years.
Over nearly 25 years with ACS CAN, Patti has led and supported high-impact advocacy campaigns advancing local, state, and federal policy priorities. Her work has contributed to the passage of statewide smoke-free legislation in Florida and North Carolina, as well as Medicaid Expansion in Virginia and North Carolina. She was named the Regional Grassroots Professional of the Year at ACS CAN’s Leadership Summit & Lobby Day.
Originally from upstate New York, Patti now lives just outside Orlando, Florida, with her husband Justin, her son, Chris. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors and giving back to her community. She serves as the Vice President of her community’s homeowner’s association and volunteers with local animal shelters and national animal welfare organizations.
Contact: [email protected]
John Hoctor - Managing Director
John Hoctor currently serves in a senior leadership role at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where he oversees teams dedicated to advancing public policy and legislative advocacy in support of cancer patients and broader public health initiatives. Throughout his 20-year tenure at ACS CAN, John has played a pivotal role in shaping state health policy agendas, fostering strategic partnerships with lawmakers and stakeholders, and championing legislative priorities that improve health outcomes.
Prior to his work at ACS CAN, John held positions with U.S. Senator John Glenn and the Department of Defense’s Naval Sea Systems Command. He is a Gulf War veteran and holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a BA in History from Xavier University
Contact: [email protected]
Jen Vargas - ACS CAN Florida State Lead Ambassador
My name is Jen Vargas, and it is my honor to serve as the State Lead Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). I have been a dedicated volunteer with the American Cancer Society since 2005, advocating for patients, caregivers, and communities in need.
Cancer has profoundly impacted my life—I have lost half of my family to this disease. My aunt, who dedicated her career to pediatric oncology, battled leukemia. My uncle, a proud Orange County Deputy Sheriff, fought lung cancer. My mother, a hardworking payroll administrator, faced both uterine and breast cancer. Now, my father, a Mexican American musician who once played in a mariachi band, is in the midst of his own fight against colon cancer.
In 2010, I became a full-time, live-in caregiver for my mother, Pam. That experience gave me firsthand insight into the challenges caregivers face and the urgent need for better access to resources, support, and care. My advocacy is deeply personal—I fight to ensure that women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and low-income communities receive the healthcare they deserve.
I give my time to ACS CAN because I know that research funding, policy changes, and healthcare access can save lives. No one should have to navigate this journey alone.
The fight against cancer takes all of us. Ever forward, we are stronger together.
Lorrie Steele - ACS CAN Florida Vice State Lead Ambassador
My name is Laura "Lorrie" Steele" and it is my sincerest honor to serve as the incoming State Vice Lead Ambassador for Florida ACS CAN. I have been a part of the ACS CAN team in both Florida and Iowa since 2007. I most recently had the pleasure of serving as the ACT Lead for Florida's 2nd Congressional District as I reside in Tallahassee. I began as an American Cancer Society volunteer the moment I attended my first Relay for Life in 2001. I jumped in wholeheartedly volunteering with Balls & Galas' Cattle Barons Ball where I initially served as auctions chair, 2 years as event chair as well as serving an appointed position on Florida Division's Balls & Galas Committee covering training for the entire state. I also chaired the Real Men Wear Pink Campaign for 3 years surpassing our goal by 300% my last year. I served on the Board of Directors of the Big Bend Area from 2006-2012 where I held the positions of Secretary, Vice President and President. In Iowa, I served as ACS CAN ACT Lead for 3 years and chaired Coaches vs Cancer two years while serving on the CvC Board of Ambassadors. Our mission became an integral part of my daily life I am and what I do as cancer has affected my life through those of whom I love dearly. Losing my grandfather, both grandmothers, mother, and my cousin far too soon to a cancer diagnosis, my passion for research funding and a cure runs deep. My role in Advocacy truly began with the Pass the Buck Campaign in 2008 as I lost my mom that previous year. She was a tobacco smoker and always said that once the cigarette tax got higher, she knew that that would be the drive to make her quit. She did quit, two months before we lost her but she got to own that she did. The following year, the Pass the Buck campaign began. It became part of my healing process. And, we did it on 2009!