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A few months back, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the Dallas-based, Nancy Brinker-founded organization that has single-handedly made breast cancer a cause celeb, thrust itself squarely in the middle of the abortion debate when it announced plans to cut funding from Planned Parenthood. Brinker walked the decision back, but the damage was done, and the rest of us turned our attention to more important matters, like Chick-fil-a.
Apparently not wanting to cede the spotlight completely, the Komen Foundation announced last night “a new period of transition as it positions itself for the future of its ongoing global mission to end breast cancer.” Or, if you prefer, a massive leadership shakeup.
President Liz Thompson is out. Brinker is stepping aside as CEO to focus on other aspects of the organization. A couple of board member, Brenda Lauderback and Linda Law, are leaving as well.
No mention of the Planned Parenthood flap in the group’s release, of course, just that Thompson, who joined Komen in 2008, “is confident in the infrastructure and leadership of the organization that she built during her tenure at Komen,” and decided its time to move on.
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As for Brinker: “I was asked by the Board in 2009 to assume the CEO role,” she said. “Three years into that role, and 32 years after my promise to my sister to end breast cancer, I want now to focus on Susan G. Komen’s global mission and raising resources to bring our promise to women all around the world.”
