By Peggy Huston, Chair of the Board of Directors

I am writing to update you on recent exciting news for Breast Cancer Action. If you remember, our long-time Executive Director, Karuna Jaggar, informed us in the beginning of the year that she was ready for new horizons. The board moved into gear to engage a search firm to find a permanent replacement as well as an interim Director, both essential actions, especially given the public health crisis that began in January and the response to civil injustices we are currently experiencing.

Breast Cancer Action is not your average breast cancer organization and finding the right leadership fit is important. We’re fiercely independent and refuse corporate funding from any company that profits from or contributes to breast cancer. That means we can ALWAYS put women’s health first and stay focused on achieving health justice for all women living with and at risk of breast cancer. Radical and compassionate, we never shy away from the hard truths and we tell it like it is about this devastating disease: 40,000 women die of breast cancer every year, and we don’t have nearly enough to show for the billions of dollars raised in the name of breast cancer.

While our search is ongoing for a permanent Director, we have hired Marj Plumb, DrPH as our Interim Executive Director.  Many in our community are already familiar with Marj and know her as an accomplished nonprofit leader, visionary, and strategist with decades of experience creating and leading innovative social justice programs and organizations. She has worked as a nonprofit consultant, executive coach, and trainer since 1999, and for twenty-five years before that, she held senior management positions in a variety of health, education, and social justice organizations.  Marj has deep connections to many breast cancer organizations, including Breast Cancer Action, as a long-time supporter, advisor, and champion of our work. You can learn more about what she brings to this role  on her website.

Marj has already begun meeting with me, the other members of the Board of Directors, and the staff to plan our activities for this interim period as we prepare for our next Executive Director.  There is much for us to do to influence current events and implement changes to keep current in these rapidly evolving times.   

In closing, I want to take this opportunity to thank Karuna for her leadership over the past nine years.  She has strengthened Breast Cancer Action in so many ways including stabilizing our financial position, developing a talented staff and productive team, partnering to build an active and engaged Board of Directors, establishing strong relationships with numerous activist and policy partners, and cultivating devoted donors and supporters like you.

Thank you for your steadfast support of this powerful organization. Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call on me.