Komen News: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Names New Board Leaders

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Names New Board Leaders

Commitment to Advancing Research, Addressing Global Breast Cancer Issues

DALLAS - April 6, 2004 - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the nation's largest private funding source for breast cancer research and community outreach programs, has named Melissa Waggener-Zorkin and Karen Rivera to its board of directors. Both women will serve one-year terms. In addition, LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., M.D., will serve the first year of his second two-year term as chairman of the Foundation's board. Dr. Leffall is the Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery at the Howard University College of Medicine and was named chair of the President's Cancer Panel by George W. Bush in May 2002.

Rivera and Waggener-Zorkin will accompany Norman Brinker, Linda Custard, LaSalle Leffall, Jr., M.D., Connie O'Neill, Lynn Sellers, Robert Taylor and Barney Young as current Komen Foundation board members, all of whom are volunteers.

Waggener-Zorkin founded the public relations firm Waggener Edstrom in 1983 and currently serves as President and CEO of the now world-wide agency. Waggener-Zorkin also serves on the board of directors for the Technology Alliance and has been a long-time supporter of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Komen Oregon & SW Washington Affiliate.

Rivera was elected by the Komen Affiliate Network as its representative to the Komen Foundation Board of Directors. Rivera will represent the more than 100 Komen Affiliates across the country. A fifteen-year breast cancer survivor, Rivera joined the Komen El Paso Affiliate in 1993 and has served as Affiliate president, Komen El Paso Race for the Cure® chair, and chair of the Survivors' Luncheon, fundraising and nominating committees. She is a partner in Business Interiors, a multidisciplinary commercial interior design firm and furniture dealership.

"Our new board members' diverse experience and knowledge will help guide the Komen Foundation as we continue to fund innovative breast cancer research, address unmet community needs and find new ways to improve quality cancer care," said Susan Braun, president and chief executive officer of the Komen Foundation.