Susan Braun

Susan is the Founding Director of the Institute for Women’s Health at Commonweal. The Institute is exploring novel ways to explore critical issues in women’s health, illness, and healing. Commonweal conducts programs that contribute to human and ecosystem health — to a safer world for people and for all life. Between 2005 and 2006, Ms. Braun worked as the President and CEO of the CURE Media Group, publisher of CURE Magazine. The Magazine, for which she remains an editorial board member, reaches more than a million cancer patients and supporters each quarter. From 1996 to 2005, Ms. Braun served as the president and chief executive officer of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. During her tenure, the Komen Foundation became a global leader in the fight against breast cancer, with more than 100 Affiliates located in cities around the world. In those nine years, the Foundation's annual revenue grew from approximately $20 million to over $200 million, and the Foundation’s International Award and Research Grant Program grew from funding 62 grants totaling $4 million, to funding hundreds of community and research grants each year, totaling over $100 million in 2005. Prior to joining the Komen Foundation, Ms. Braun served in various positions within the Oncology Division at Bristol-Myers Squibb in Princeton, New Jersey. Prior to joining Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ms. Braun was an executive with the health care consulting firm Pracon Incorporated and the Center for Economic Studies in Medicine. Ms. Braun received a bachelor’s degree in English and sociology from George Mason University and a master’s degree in health sciences from the University of Maryland. She also completed a graduate program in international business and marketing at the University of Muenster in Muenster, Germany.