Erin Rongers Hired as Executive Director of The Cancer Challenge

The Cancer Challenge, a local nonprofit organization, has hired Erin Rongers as its new executive director.

Rongers was officially hired April 10. She will be responsible for bringing passion and focus to implementing the mission and vision of The Cancer Challenge and to act as a strong advocate for raising the bar on cancer care in Northwest Arkansas. 

In an email, Rongers wrote: “I am a cancer survivor and my husband is currently battling cancer, so the mission of this organization is extremely close to my heart. That is a big reason as to why I am here.”

She replaces Tina Waggener, who spent 17 years as executive director before resigning earlier this year to become an account executive for retail marketing firm Kendal King Group.

Rongers was previously executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas, joining the organization in 2008. Before that, she was the public affairs coordinator at the Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club of Fayetteville.

Rongers is a graduate of the University of Texas and earned a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas.

Since its founding in 1993, The Cancer Challenge has given more than $10 million in support of area cancer-related services and programs.