Foundation Team

Jamie Bishop

Executive Director

Jamie came on board as Chief Financial Officer of the Pluta Cancer Center in 2011 and became Executive Director of the Pluta Cancer Center Foundation in 2013. He has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from SUNY Oswego and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Rochester. Jamie, his wife Brandi, and their three girls enjoy spending time together as a family, camping, playing/coaching soccer and golf.

“It truly is a privilege and a blessing to be able to work for such a wonderful organization. Every day I get to see the wonderful work that the Pluta care team does. There is not a day that goes by that a patient does not stop me to share a story.”

Contact Jamie

Kelly Palmer

Manager of Development

Kelly is a native of Mendon New York, and a graduate of Honeoye Falls - Lima. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Hospitality Management from Mercyhurst University, where she also played Division II lacrosse. After Mercyhurst Kelly continued her education and obtained her Hospitality& Tourism Management graduate degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Kelly’s graduate Capstone Project was the 2013 PGA Championship hosted by Oak Hill Country Club. Upon completion, Kelly remained with Oak Hill as Special Events Coordinator. Kelly’s passion for special events landed her on sunny Captiva Island in 2014 as the Event Sales Manager for the Tween Waters Inn Resort. Deciding she missed Rochester, Kelly joined the Foundation team in 2016. Kelly’s responsibilities include managing donations and the donor database, as well as supporting all Foundation fundraising efforts. Kelly continues to follow her passion for lacrosse, volunteering with area youth programs providing coaching and instruction as time permits.

Kelly says: “Working for the Pluta Cancer Foundation has always been a dream of mine. I have always admired the foundation and now am fortunate enough to work with the unbelievable staff and see first-hand the impact they make in the lives of patients and their families.”

Contact Kelly

Lisa Abbott-Cisco

Development Coordinator

Lisa first met the Pluta family in 2000, when the inaugural Emerald Ball was held at Monroe Golf Club. She was the assistant manager and event coordinator for the country club at that time. After about 20 years at the country club, the birth of her daughter, and a battle with cancer herself, Lisa resigned from the club and followed her heart to be the Office Administrator for a startup non -profit, Sensational in Survival. SIS was created to assist women who were struggling to meet every day expenses while facing a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Lisa likes to believe that everything happens for a reason.When you put all the pieces together, a relationship with the Pluta’s, event coordinating and nonprofit experience, along with being a cancer survivor, plus a believer in integrative therapies, THIS is where she is supposed to be.

To quote my favorite band, “What a long strange trip it’s been”. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here. I am so grateful and excited to be working with the amazing people here to accomplish the Foundation’s goals

Contact Lisa

Cathy Leyer

Administrative Assistant

After retiring from Kodak in 2015, Cathy set her sights on finding an ideal part-time job where her skills would contribute to or support those who service and aid others. When the Foundation offered her the opportunity to join the team last autumn, Cathy says, "I was thrilled to become a part of this community! It is obvious how caring and attentive the staff here is to their patients, and it is wonderful to work in a place where everyone comes to work with the mindset and attitude that they are there to make a positive difference for their patient's. I’m thankful to have been granted the opportunity to play a role and support the functions of the Pluta Cancer Center Foundation. I will enjoy working along with the kind and caring team at Pluta for years to come--I believe I’ve found what I was looking for here!"

Cathy is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of the Foundation, including everything from clerical work to event volunteering. She wears many hats each day, and her multi-functional job is essential to helping the team run smoothly!