Elaine Grobman Promoted to CEO

Elaine Grobman Promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

 

Having led the community breast cancer movement for more than two decades, former Executive Director re-affirms her personal and professional commitment to continued and growing empowerment for all people and generations.


The Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Board of Directors unanimously voted Tuesday night to promote Elaine I. Grobman from Executive Director to Chief Executive Officer. For the past twenty-two years, Grobman has served as Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure activities in the Delaware Valley and surrounding communities, starting with the first Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® in 1991.

 

 In 2001 Grobman was instrumental in the founding of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate, serving as the Executive Director and quickly growing it into one of the most successful Komen Affiliates nationwide. Now, as CEO, Grobman will continue her Executive Director's responsibilities as well as head up new strategies to generate growing corporate and philanthropic support for the Affiliate, empower more grass-roots organizations in their community breast health initiatives, and embrace larger and more diverse populations in critical education, early detection and support services.

 

"Designating Elaine as CEO is not just a recognition of her performance in making our Affiliate one of the most innovative and successful Komen Affiliates in the country, but it is also an acknowledgement of her role as a leader in the breast cancer movement locally and nationally," said Joanne Calabria, Komen Philadelphia Affiliate Board President. " Elaine has established Susan G. Komen for the Cure as one of the most influential and trusted organizations in our region and continues to grow the organization and its partnerships in spite of difficult economic times.  She has earned this recognition though her hard work, tireless dedication and creative approach to fulfilling the Komen Promise to create a world without breast cancer."

 

The promotion to CEO was effective immediately. Grobman has transformed philanthropy into a life-long career filled with many impressive firsts and milestones for numerous Delaware Valley non-profit organizations, especially those promoting the health, welfare and advancements of women in society. She identifies the beginning of her career when she, as a young, newly married woman, served as Vice President of Hadassah Bridgeport, NJ. Before getting involved with Komen, Grobman was active in many noteworthy fundraising and relief endeavors ranging from helping to build schools in Israel, to helping develop and implement one of the first substantial Aids fundraisers in Philadelphia.

 

Under her leadership, the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate has become a recognized leader of the breast cancer movement in its thirteen-county service area, and received numerous accolades from Susan G. Komen for the Cure for its innovation in tackling tough breast cancer issues, as well as its impact among multiple generations, both male and female.  Over the past twenty-one years, the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure and Komen Philadelphia Affiliate has accomplished the following:

 

  • Distributed more than $49 million in grants to empower the breast cancer movement locally through its community grants program
  • Empowered groundbreaking research by contributing approximately $17 million to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure grant program
  • Funded more than 110,000 free mammograms for women in need

 

"I am honored and humbled by our Board of Directors granting me the designation of Chief Executive Officer... the trust they have placed in me only serves to further elevate my passion for this cause and reinforces my personal and professional dedication to leading all people out of the darkness of breast cancer," said Grobman. "It leaves me speechless to think that what started with a handful of dedicated people, a few contacts and a typewriter has grown into a local movement that has embraced millions of people not just in the power to face and beat a breast cancer diagnosis, but to live in the HOPE that one day soon this disease will be no more a threat to them or their children than the common cold.

 

"While I graciously accept the CEO title, I cannot nor ever will accept one ounce of credit for the progress our community has made in beating down this horrible disease. From our staff, volunteers, sponsors and fundraisers... to our Board leadership through the years and the support of Komen National... to each woman and her family who courageously fight breast cancer one day at a time... every step forward is one we ALL take - and celebrate - together."