Susan G. Komen for the Cure Announces Leadership Moves to Set Stage for Future of Global Mission

Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced Wednesday a new period of transition as it continues the pursuit of the global mission to end breast cancer.  Komen President Liz Thompson announced plans to leave the organization in September.  At the same time, Komen Founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker announced plans to move to a new management role focusing on revenue creation, strategy and global growth as chair of the Komen Board Executive Committee when the search for a new senior executive has been completed.

Komen also announced that board members Brenda Lauderback and Linda Law, who have served on the Komen board since 2008 and 2009 respectively, are leaving the board of directors.

“This time of transition will help propel our international organization to the next level of finding a cure for breast cancer,” stated Patty Harman, the local Greater Nashville Affiliate Executive Director. “Change is always difficult and these women have had an enormous impact on the organization, but they established a legacy that the new leadership will be able to build upon.  Our local affiliate will continue to focus on the mission to find a cure as we prepare for breast cancer awareness month and the Race for the Cure.”

To ensure that women everywhere receive direct help, Komen also has invested $1.3 billion in 30 years to community programs to pay for screenings, education, and provide financial support to people facing breast cancer.  In Middle Tennessee over $3.6 million has gone to local organizations helping families in 11 counties.  Ground-breaking research is making advances toward a cure with more than $4 million in active research grants at Vanderbilt. 

Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982, two years after her sister, Susan G. Komen, died of breast cancer. Before she died, Suzy asked Nancy to promise to end breast cancer. From that promise, Brinker built a global breast cancer organization in her sister’s name that has grown to invest more in breast cancer research than any non-profit outside of the federal government: more than $740 million to date.

“Our mission is clear and consistent, and will never change,” Brinker said. “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that women have access to quality cancer care and the support that they need, as we seek answers through cutting-edge research.”