Neringa Čiakienė

Neringa Čiakienė is the Director of the Lithuanian Cancer Patient Coalition (POLA), the largest patient organization in Lithuania, representing the voices and needs of oncology patients nationwide. She has extensive experience in patient advocacy, strategic communication, fundraising, and healthcare project management. Her involvement in patient advocacy began nearly 20 years ago after her younger brother’s cancer diagnosis, she has been leading POLA as CEO since 2019. 

With a background in fundamental sciences and management, Neringa has worked in public administration for over two decades, contributing to large-scale national initiatives — including Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, the development of EU affairs coordination systems, and preparations for the country’s first EU Presidency. This experience has shaped her understanding of how to drive systemic change in complex environments, including healthcare. 

Neringa strongly believes that achieving excellence in cancer care and research requires respectful dialogue, active patient involvement, shared responsibility, professional competence, and a focus on meaningful outcomes. She advocates for patient-centered innovation and effective translation of scientific progress into real improvements in patient care.