Colette Carson Royston

Colette Carson Royston’s professional career for the past 30 years has been divided between healthcare, community activities, and the arts. In these arenas, Colette has assumed leadership positions on both a national and local level. Her health profession began as an oncology nurse specialist/consultant focused on research, education, and patient advocacy. She has authored numerous publications in the field of oncology and has consulted for a number of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare-related institutions. At the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego, she managed clinical trials for over ten years. She was elected by the membership to the National Board of the Oncology Nursing Society and also served as the President of the National Oncology Nursing Foundation. She also served as the Chair of the Tenth Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society held in Los Angeles. Currently, Colette is serving on the Advisory Board of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

During the same period, Colette has been actively involved in a variety of San Diego non-profit organizations. She served for nine years on the board of the San Diego Foundation, including Chairing the Board for three years. Her focus at the Foundation was community outreach in science and the arts and improving quality of life. She has been a strong advocate for the growth of the arts in San Diego and was appointed by the Mayor to the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, where she served for eight years, including three years as Chair of the Commission. Colette has also served on the Boards of the San Diego Opera and the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, where she was past President of the Board.

Colette received her Master’s degree from the UCLA School of Nursing, where she was an American Cancer Society Scholar.