Maine Cancer Foundation promotes development director to lead organization

Maine Cancer Foundation Ray Ruby takes the helm for the statewide mission to reduce the impact of cancer.

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Maine Cancer Foundation has advanced its deputy director to lead the organization as the next executive director.

Ray Ruby, who brings extensive experience to the position and was also the foundation's director of development, will succeed Kelly Martin. Martin was the interim executive director for the past 13 months.

"It is a privilege of a lifetime to be named Maine Cancer Foundation's next executive director," said Ruby. "I am honored to work with the team here to continue advancing the mission across the state. Maine communities have carried the burden of cancer too long, and our goal is to make sure that no one is alone in the fight."

Before joining the Maine Cancer Foundation team in 2018, Ruby held leadership roles at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine and Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine He also served as an officer for the Portland Police Department for seven years. Ruby, a Saint Joseph's College graduate, said he's made it his mission to represent the foundation throughout Maine.

Ruby was selected as the next executive director of the Maine Cancer Foundation following a national search. Chaired by Jay Collins, president of the board of directors, the search committee of seven board members advanced Ruby as its recommendation to the board, which enthusiastically confirmed the selection.

"In a very competitive field of impressive candidates, the search committee was thrilled to identify the outstanding leadership talents that Ray brings to the foundation," said Collins. "He truly exudes passion, commitment, advocacy, and a sense of inclusiveness throughout the entire state of Maine that we know will drive the mission forward in a powerful way."

Maine's statewide leader in reducing the impact of cancer, Maine Cancer Foundation was established in 1976 by a small group of Mainers who lost loved ones to the disease and felt compelled to make a difference. All funds raised by the foundation are used to benefit Mainers.

The nonprofit hosts the Tri for a Cure, an all-women's triathlon, which through this year has raised a total of $20 million for the foundation.