Helen Chesnut has been named interim executive director of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure St. Louis Affiliate announced today by the Affiliate's President Susie Knopf. Chesnut has been on staff at the Komen St. Louis Affiliate for over a year and will temporarily replace Lisa O'Brien, who recently accepted a new position with the United Soybean Board.
As interim executive director at the Affiliate, Chesnut will be responsible for the overall operation of the organization including representing Komen St. Louis to the public and community organizations, institutional development, providing guidance to volunteers and committees, and financial and personnel oversight. She will also act as liaison to the Board of Directors and be responsible for building systems and procedures to accomplish the mission, goals and policies set forth by the Board.
"Helen is a perfect fit to serve as our interim executive director," Knopf said. "Her knowledge and experience of the organization is invaluable as we move forward. I know she will do a tremendous job overseeing the day-to-day aspects of the Affiliate and I have complete confidence in her ability to continue the promise of ending breast cancer forever."
Chesnut has served as Manager of Fund Development since coming on staff at the Affiliate in October 2006, while she served in a volunteer role with the organization for seven years prior to that. In 2004 and 2005, she chaired the Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®, the Affiliate's signature fundraiser and the largest 5K Race in the world. Additionally, Chesnut served a two-year term on the Komen St. Louis Board of Directors.
Chesnut will handle the above responsibilities of the Affiliate indefinitely, until a permanent replacement is made.
About the St. Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The St. Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure-along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources-is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join more than 100,000 breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, we have invested over $10 million dollars in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 18 counties in Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Komen St. Louis Affiliate stay in the metropolitan area while the remaining income goes to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Programs supporting research, awards and educational and scientific programs around the world. Join us by calling 314-721-2900 or visiting us online at www.komenstlouis.org.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
