Locke Named National Operations Director, Washington, D.C., for World’s Largest Breast Cancer Organization
DALLAS – November 2, 2009 – Mona Lee Locke, a veteran of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®’s Affiliate network and a proven leader in local nonprofit programs, has been named to a new position aimed at building on the impact of Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, in the nation’s capital.
Locke’s new role as National Operations Director, Washington, D.C., is also a homecoming of sorts for Locke, who was Executive Director of Komen’s Puget Sound Affiliate before relocating this year to Washington with her husband, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.
In her new role, Locke will report to Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Simpson-Earle, who leads Komen’s 122-city domestic Affiliate network from the organization’s headquarters in Dallas.
“Mona’s proven leadership as the head of a large Affiliate and her proven ability to forge and strengthen relationships will be instrumental as we enhance Komen’s outreach and impact in the National Capital Area,” said Komen president and CEO Hala Moddelmog.
Komen’s presence in the National Capital Area includes the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®, which has been held in Washington for 20 years, allowing Komen to distribute more than $21 million to local breast cancer programs since 1989.
“I’m looking forward to developing new relationships and strengthening our rewarding connections with the organizations and local leaders who are so supportive of Komen here,” said Locke. “Komen’s D.C.-area programs have improved awareness and made screening and treatment programs more accessible to people in our community. We are eager to do even more.”
Locke will serve as a liaison between Komen and community agencies, organizations, funding sources and key constituent groups. Her position does not include national lobbying or public policy activities, which are managed through Komen’s D.C.-based Komen Advocacy Alliance (KAA) headed by KAA President Jennifer Luray.
Before moving to Washington, D.C., the former first Lady of Washington State had firmly established a reputation as a leader in the nonprofit arena. In addition to her time with the Puget Sound Affiliate, in which she was responsible for board and staff management, fundraising, marketing, grant making and advocacy, Locke also founded and served as board chair of the Foundation for Early Learning, which provides capacity building grants, technical assistance and early learning information to help ensure children are ready for school.
Her career began in broadcast news with stints at local stations in Seattle, Green Bay, and Topeka, Kansas, where she was assigned to Washington, D.C. as the CBS affiliate’s Capitol Hill correspondent.
She most recently served on the board of directors of the Foundation for Early Learning, Thrive by Five and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Locke earned her Masters of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, graduated from Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program, and received a Bachelors of Arts in English degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
