23 APR 2024 · This week on Dare to Care in the Workplace, Kathleen welcomes Paula Schneider, the President and CEO of Susan G. Komen, the world's largest breast cancer organization. As head of Komen, Schneider oversees the staggering $3.5 billion the organization has invested to date in breast cancer research, support services, and advocacy efforts. With her visionary leadership and decisive action, Schneider has transformed Komen into a unified powerhouse that provides millions with access to vital patient services, breakthrough research initiatives, and evidence-based education programs focused on ending breast cancer disparities. Drawing from over 30 years of driving growth and leading remarkable turnarounds in the retail and apparel industries, the widely-respected Schneider now brings her keen business acumen and compassionate commitment to women's health to the fight against breast cancer. Tune in as Schneider shares her inspiring vision for a future without this devastating disease and how her expertise from the business world translates into Komen's critical mission. Don't miss this candid conversation that underscores the power of purposeful leadership to create real change and deliver on the promise of a world without breast cancer.
About Paula Schneider: As President & CEO of Susan G. Komen, she is responsible for day-to- day operations, strategic direction, and is accountable for the world’s largest breast cancer organization with over $3.5 billion in investments in breast cancer research, advocacy and patient support to date.During her tenure, Paula led Komen through an enterprise-wide restructuring, transforming Komen’s national network of independent local affiliate organizations into a single, united entity, leveraging shared operational functions while maintaining local development and mission teams across the country. Under her leadership, Komen today serves as a trusted health care guide, providing millions of people with safe, accurate, evidence-based information and education—as well as direct patient support services including financial assistance, patient navigation, emotional support and resources. Komen also remains focused on accelerating breakthroughs for the most aggressive and deadly breast cancers, and eliminating breast cancer disparities through focused interventions that break down the barriers for Black people across the U.S.Schneider is widely regarded as a business expert in organizational management and finance. Prior to Komen, she served as CEO of American Apparel, which was the largest vertically integrated clothing manufacturer in the U.S. with over 8,500 employees and 600 retail stores internationally. In this role, she navigated one of the most notable turnarounds in the retail sector, executing and emerging from prearranged Chapter 11 proceedings while burgeoning the brand’s importance. She previously served as president of the Warnaco Swimwear Group, the largest swimwear company in the world, with brands such as Speedo and Calvin Klein. As these were each public entities, her responsibilities comprised all facets of corporate governance and business oversight to include maximizing operational efficiencies, developing relevant marketing strategies and producing inspirational product offerings. Subsequently, Schneider became a senior advisor at the private equity firm, The Gores Group, where she created platform strategies for best-in-class operations and potential acquisitions. Schneider became the first female CEO in The Gores Group’s portfolio of companies. Schneider is a sought-after public speaker on impactful leadership and women’s health. She has been a featured speaker at such thought leadership events as Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, Yahoo! Finance, Women in Retail, Milken Institute and Dreamforce. She is currently a member and keynote speaker of C200, the preeminent global organization for the advancement of women business leaders. Paula also serves on the Bloomberg New Economy Forum’s International Cancer Coalition and is a member of Fast Company’s Impact Council.