Ms. Catherine Young

Ms. Catherine Young is the Director of the Mississippi Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in the Office of Preventive Health at the Mississippi State Department of Health where she provides oversight and management for all program-related activities, serves as the lead for the overall day-to-day program and grant operations; coordinates with all state agencies, institutions of higher learning, and partners; coordinates state and local training; provides technical assistance and ensures required reports and documentation are submitted. She oversees the Mississippi Partnership for Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition (MP3C) to develop and implement a comprehensive cancer control plan to address the burden of cancer in Mississippi. Previously, her career has spanned over the last 11 years with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the world’s largest breast cancer organization as the Executive Director/Senior Vice President of the Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee affiliate. In this role, Catherine developed collaborative projects and partnerships with community organizations and oversaw the community grants program, evaluation, proposals, distribution, tracking, and auditing of all grant programs.  She created and led a team of over 40 community leaders, healthcare workers, and researchers to form and implement the state’s first and only collaborative group dedicated to decreasing breast cancer disparities in African American women within the state. Catherine also created and hosted a podcast dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness and survivorship. Catherine has served on several boards and task forces such as the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Advisory Task Force to address the disproportionate burden of breast cancer’s adverse effect on minority women, One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), and the United Healthcare Community Plan. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and held leadership positions within the organization.  Catherine received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Management from Belhaven University. She is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Public Health at Walden University.

Catherine is the wife of James Young and they have two children, James Jr. and Brittany, a adopted daughter Angel, and two grandchildren Jeremiah and Allison.  In her spare time, Catherine enjoys baking.