Benedict B. Benigno

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Benedict Benigno, MD is a world-renowned gynecologic surgeon and oncologist who has spent his career treating women with ovarian cancer. In 1999, he founded the Ovarian Cancer Institute and serves as its CEO. Through his alliance with the Georgia Institute of Technology he has become a forerunner in ovarian cancer research. Dr. Benigno is the principle investigator in numerous clinical trials including the new PARP inhibitor drugs. He is dedicated to the discovery of a 100% accurate diagnostic test, as well as, the development of more efficacious and less toxic ways of treating this dreadful disease.

He received his MD degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Benigno completed two fellowships in gynecologic oncology, one at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and the other at the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston.

Dr. Benigno is the founder and President of University Gynecologic Oncology and the Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of many societies including the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the Felix Rutledge Society, and the American Society of Clinical Oncologists. Dr. Benigno is a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Emory University School of Medicine, the Morehouse School of Medicine, and Mercer University. He serves on the board of the Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Benigno has published numerous articles and textbook chapters, and travels the world speaking on various aspects of gynecologic cancer. He is the author of the book, “The Ultimate Guide to Ovarian Cancer: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research. This book is sold all over the world and is a great help to patients and their families. He was honored in 2002 with the Hero of Medicine Award for the Most Innovative Cancer Research in the State of Georgia. In 2014, Dr. Benigno was appointed to the ovarian cancer steering committee based in the National Institute of Health.

In addition to his interest in ovarian cancer research, Dr. Benigno supports the Atlanta Symphony and Atlanta Opera. He is fluent in French and has been a lifelong student of the piano. His wife, Sheila, is a prominent portrait artist, and they have three children, Justin, Alexander, and Serena.

Kristin F. Krancer

Executive Director

Kristin Krancer, MPH earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Florida. She has dedicated her studies and career to improving health outcomes for specific people groups. Her other passions in the public health field include, reducing health disparities and improving access to healthy foods. During her college career, she graduated with honors and earned a spot on the President’s and Dean’s list numerous times.

She is honored to work with the Ovarian Cancer Institute as the Executive Director, after having worked for a national non-profit centered around addiction medicine.  Additionally, Kristin served as a critical member of the emergency response team for the Florida Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kristin teaches swim lessons in her spare time after being a competitive swimmer for over 20 years. She and her husband love to travel and reside in the mountains of North Carolina. She is a proud mother of two active boys.

Board of Directors

Shannon Banna

Elizabeth Cooper

Lynn Durham

Becca Krumdieck, Treasurer

Nancy Rampell

Delores Rapoport

Maria Saporta

Charles Sheron

Susan Shows

Cyril Spann

Dana Whitlow, Chairman of the Board & Teal Cup Golf Tournament Chairman

Chiara Visconti

Hillyer Young

Richard Zane

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