Eaton Vance Executive Philanthropic in Fight Against Cancer

BOSTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Witkos, Head of Global Distribution for Boston-based Eaton Vance today was named to the Board of Directors of The Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation, a Vermont-based national organization dedicated to advancing early detection of ovarian cancer—one of the deadliest forms of cancers.  Launched in October 2009, the Inaugural Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser and Awareness Dinner raised $106,000 for the Foundation to support its early detection research, awareness and programming initiatives for ovarian cancer.

"I am honored to serve on the board of this organization and to help drive the Foundation's efforts to improve and influence early detection programs for ovarian cancer. Mary pushed for excellence in all aspects of her life and left a legacy of inspiration in the financial industry, in her community and now for countless women whose lives will be saved through the critical work of the Mary Haas Foundation," said Witkos.

The Mary Haas Foundation was established in honor of 30-year old Merrill Lynch veteran Mary Haas who lost her battle with ovarian cancer only 15 months after being diagnosed. Mary, along with her family, friends and colleagues, learned what too many people face- by the time ovarian cancer is diagnosed, it is often too late. This tragedy, which impacts individuals, families and friends all over the world, could be prevented by a simple detection test.

Nicknamed the "silent killer," most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage which only leaves a 15-30 percent chance of survival.  However, if caught early enough (during Stage I or II), women have a 90 percent chance of surviving this form of cancer for at least five years or more.  That is why the Mary Haas Foundation was established: to break the silence in order to save women's lives.

"At its core, the Mary Haas Foundation aims for prevention and early detection because it not only saves lives -- it also saves money," said Witkos. "Studies have shown that it can cost up to $100,000 for a cancer patient and most of those costs are attributed to treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Early detection reduces one's risk of needing such harsh treatment."

The Mary Haas Foundation is proud to host its' Second Annual Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser and Awareness Dinner on October 13, 2010, at Vermont's Sugarbush Resort, owned by former executive vice president of Merrill Lynch, Eaton Vance Board Chairman and President of Sugarbush Resort, Win Smith.  Several senior executives from Merrill Lynch will be among those attending this meaningful event.

Comprised entirely of volunteers, the Mary Haas Foundation is using all funds raised to fulfill the simple, unmet and dire need of timely diagnosis of ovarian cancer by partnering with the Vermont medical community to establish an ovarian cancer early detection program, by reaching out and educating to physicians statewide, establishing the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Research Fellow at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, and organizing awareness programs in Vermont, New York and soon in Boston. Witkos and the Board are looking to expand the reach of early detection program for women from Vermont to Massachusetts.

Matt Witkos is head of global distribution for Eaton Vance and president of Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. He is responsible for institutional, international and retail distribution of Eaton Vance products and services. Matt leads business development, designs sales strategies and identifies strategic partnerships to support Eaton Vance's global business platform.

Matt has over 20 years of experience in the investment management business and has held key global leadership roles throughout his career. Before joining Eaton Vance in 2007, he was executive vice president – global distribution for Natixis Asset Management Advisors Group and oversaw a sales team comprised of over 200 professionals around the world. During his tenure, he led sales for 15 U.S.-based affiliated investment managers and six fund families. Matt also served as chief executive officer for the firm's international business in Japan, Asia, Australia and Latin America. Prior to joining Natixis in 2001, Matt served in key positions for over eight years with Forward Asset Management and GE Asset Management. His responsibilities included developing targeted product sales programs and integrated marketing efforts for institutions and financial intermediaries. He successfully increased assets under management, while heightening the firm's visibility in the investment community. His wholesaling career began in 1990 at Nuveen Investments. Matt earned a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire.

Eaton Vance Corp., based in Boston, is one of the oldest investment management firms in the United States, with a history dating back to 1924. Eaton Vance and its affiliates managed $173.3 billion in assets as of July 31, 2010, offering individuals and institutions a broad array of investment products and wealth management solutions. The Company's long record of providing exemplary service and attractive returns through a variety of market conditions has made Eaton Vance the investment manager of choice for many of today's most discerning investors. For more information about Eaton Vance, visit www.eatonvance.com.

SOURCE Eaton Vance Corp.