Your North Carolina Advocacy Team

Christine Weason, Government Relations Director, North Carolina

Christine Weason is our new North Carolina Government Relations Director.  She brings a unique combination of legislative, legal, campaign coordinating, and fundraising strengths to the American Cancer Society and ACS Cancer Action Network.  Christine served three terms as a member in the Arizona House of Representatives where she developed a thorough understanding of the state budgetary process and was instrumental in spearheading millions of dollars for Alzheimers' and Parkinsons' research.  She gained tremendous insight into parliamentary procedure and lobbying processes during her time in the legislature.

Christine is originally from Illinois and she graduated with a B.A. from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.  She received her J.D. and graduated from Whittier College, School of Law in Los Angeles, CA and she moved to Arizona after law school.  Christine relocated to Raleigh in May of 2002 and loves the diversity of the state.  She is active in Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas, the US Humane Society and the Wake County SPCA.  Christine has two rescued schnauzers, Shelby and Docker, and a rescued cockatiel, Prissy.  She is also an avid scuba diver and enjoys experiencing the world below water's surface. 

Christine has experienced the devastation of cancer and the harmful effects of tobacco through her close family.  Her father passed away when he was 49 due to a smoking related illness and her partner is a cancer survivor.  She knows the pain and suffering patients that families endure and believes our society deserves a healthy, vibrant cancer-free environment - with the help of volunteers who share this passion we will achieve this goal.

Ray Riordan, Grassroots Manager North Carolina

Ray is passionate about unleashing the potential of people to create the change they want to see through collective action and civic engagement. This passion led Ray to join the American Cancer Society in December 2013 as a Relay For Life Community Manager. Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Ray served in the North Carolina Office of the Governor as the Director of National Service. In this role, he worked with nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations to promote volunteerism and community service as a means to strengthen communities and foster an ethic of volunteerism throughout the state.

Ray holds a BA in Sociology from the State University of New York at New Paltz and earned his MS in Organizational Communication from NC State University. With over 10 years of experience in the public sector, Ray brings a strong knowledge of the legislative process, as well as a background in training and development, community organizing, and volunteer management. He lives with his wife and two kids in Wake County, NC.