Irene Wong

Irene Wong joined the BAYS Board of Directors in August 2025, inspired by a deep desire to give back to the community that supported her throughout her cancer journey. Irene was diagnosed with Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in August 2024 at the age of 42—an unexpected diagnosis given her lack of family history or genetic predisposition. Following a challenging treatment course including seven months of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, Irene emerged with a renewed commitment to patient advocacy and health equity.

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare strategy, Irene brings a seasoned perspective to her role on the board. At the time of her diagnosis, she had just joined a start-up focused on patient navigation technologies—an ironic twist that deepened her understanding of the patient experience. Having long served as a healthcare translator and advocate for her immigrant parents and late grandmother, her personal journey solidified her passion for improving access and outcomes for underserved populations. Through her work with BAYS, she aims to advance equity, access, and diversity across the breast cancer community.

Irene holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Science from UC San Diego and a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, attending live performances, and rediscovering the everyday joys of survivorship. She lives in Oakland with her tiny diva rescue dog, Kona.