Names Mike Williams Interim President; Positions Organization for Continued Global Growth
DALLAS — December 2, 2009 — The board of directors of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, today announced the appointment of Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker as chief executive officer. Brinker, a breast cancer survivor, founded the organization nearly 30 years ago in memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from the disease at 36.
The board also appointed Mike Williams as interim president. Williams served as the organization’s interim CFO before the position was filled in early 2009. With these appointments, the board separated the roles of CEO and President, which had previously been one position.
“Given Nancy’s diplomatic and global leadership, appointing her as CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the right move as the organization grows internationally, sharpens its advocacy efforts and continues to strengthen its grassroots base,” said Alexine Clement Jackson, chairperson of Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s board of directors. “Susan G. Komen for the Cure is unique in its position — having a founder who started the global movement step in and take on the visionary leadership at a critical time of expansion for the organization.”
Brinker, who founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982, is credited with the creation of the global breast cancer movement at a time when shame, silence and hopelessness surrounded the disease. Her creativity in raising awareness led to programs that at the time were revolutionary: In 1983, she founded the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, which is now the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer. She also pioneered cause-related marketing, allowing millions to participate in the fight against breast cancer through businesses that share Komen’s commitment to end the disease forever. Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s unwavering advocacy for breast cancer survivors led to new legislation and greater government research funding. To date, every major advance in breast cancer has been touched by the nearly $1.5 billion the organization has spent to fight the disease.
In 2009, Brinker was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for her work in breast cancer. She served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary from 2001-2003 and U.S. Chief of Protocol from 2007-2009. She is currently Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control for the United Nations’ World Health Organization, where she continues her mission to put cancer control at the top of the world health agenda.
As interim president, Williams will ensure the alignment of strategic plans, organizational structure and financial planning to maximize success. He brings more than 25 years of management and financial experience to Komen as interim president. As founder of Mike Williams and Associates, he has a proven track record of achievement, providing organizational and financial leadership and innovative thinking to businesses and industries undergoing transition. A CPA by training, Williams also served in a senior finance role at a major acute care hospital in Southern California, overseeing internal and external financial reporting as well as the institution’s efforts at patient-focused process improvement across all departments. He began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co. and then at Ernst & Young.
The organization has not announced long-term plans for the president position.
