Susan G. Komen® New Community Support Structure Taking Shape

Half of Komen’s Network of Affiliates are Now Part of the United Komen Team

Susan G. Komen^®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, today provided an update on the progress of its operational and mission evolution, announced in April of 2020. More than half of the organization’s independent local Affiliates have now transitioned into the new, single entity structure. This multiphase transition is ongoing and will continue through the summer. 

“I’m excited about the way this new structure will enable us to serve more of our neighbors affected by breast cancer, regardless of where they live,” said Paula Schneider, Komen’s president and CEO. “To be clear, we still have staff in communities across the country; they are simply working remotely from their homes. And our mission has not changed; indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has made our work even more critical, to ensure that everyone can access the breast cancer care they need. Breast cancer hasn’t stopped, and neither have we.”

To meet the current and evolving needs of those affected by breast cancer nationwide, Komen is now providing support to patients, survivors and their families through breakthrough research, advocacy and a broad suite of direct services, including Komen’s free Helpline and Treatment Assistance Program. Additional breast health and patient support services will be launched soon and will be available in every community across the country.

Staff from the former Affiliates are now part of Komen’s community development team, focusing on local communities, while closely collaborating with colleagues across their region and nationally. This new structure is led by five regional vice presidents:

• Northeast Region: Lori van Dam, formerly the CEO of Komen New England.
• Southeast Region: Kate Watt, formerly the ED of Komen Florida.
• Midwest Region: Barbara Ducharme, who is new to Komen.
• South Central Region: Julie Voss, formerly the CEO of Komen Houston.
• West Region: Megan Klink, formerly the CEO of Komen Orange County.

Last year Komen announced that it was undertaking an enterprise-wide transition from a federated business model of independent Affiliates to a single, united entity in order to increase its overall operational efficiency and impact. The evolution enables the organization to benefit from centralized back office systems and reduces duplication of efforts across the country. 

In addition to centralizing operations, additional cost savings are being realized by transitioning to a completely remote workforce. This enables Komen to have team members in virtually every state in the country, without the expense of office locations.