Simone Hutchinson: Championing Community, Empathy, and Opportunity at MSK

Simone Hutchinson, Associate Director in the Office of Academic and Cancer Center Administration, has spent the last 17 years growing her career at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Today, she leads a team critical to managing the Cancer Center Support Grant — a vital component of MSK’s designation as an NCI-designated cancer center.

“There are rigorous standards that MSK must adhere to, to maintain accreditation, and our team ensures that all grant work is submitted and that MSK is ready for any site visits,” Simone says.

Simone’s MSK journey began as an assistant in Nuclear Medicine. Through MSK’s tuition reimbursement program, she went on to earn her bachelor's and master’s degrees, advancing through roles in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Pediatrics.

As a former co-lead of the ABLE Employee Resource Network (ERN), Simone supported MSK’s mission to foster an inclusive environment for individuals living with disabilities or caring for loved ones who do. “I think it starts with empathy and extending grace,” she shares.

Simone is also active across other ERNs, including BLAM and LGBTQ+ Pride. “Another person’s life and culture doesn’t and shouldn’t have to look like ours for us to walk a mile in their shoes,” she says.

Family remains a powerful influence in Simone’s life — from her mother and grandmother’s legacy to raising her daughters Sasha (now an Office Assistant at MSK) and Sanaa. “I think that being a mom and raising daughters has certainly taught me to really immerse myself in the joys of sisterhood and community and appreciate the value of being surrounded by strong women.”

Her advice to her future self? “Never count yourself out. You can achieve almost anything you put your mind to. Don’t let fear and doubt take you out of the race.”