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CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a preeminent national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of curative treatments for pediatric malignancies, has announced the appointment of three highly accomplished leaders to its national Board of Directors. The new appointees—Julianne Averill, Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, and Mike Crowe—bring a sophisticated blend of expertise in healthcare finance, clinical development, and global technology infrastructure. Their integration into the organization’s primary governing body signals a strategic move to enhance the bridge between laboratory discovery and clinical application, ensuring that high-potential research moves through the developmental pipeline with greater efficiency and speed.
The appointment of these directors comes at a critical juncture for pediatric oncology, a field that has historically faced significant hurdles in funding and commercial interest compared to adult oncology. By leveraging the specialized backgrounds of these leaders, CureSearch aims to fortify its mission of ending childhood cancer by focusing on research that is not only scientifically rigorous but also commercially viable and clinically transformative.
Strategic Leadership Profiles: Bridging Finance, Science, and Technology
The three new board members reflect the multi-disciplinary approach required to navigate the modern life sciences landscape. Each individual brings a proven track record of leadership within their respective sectors, providing CureSearch with the high-level oversight necessary to manage complex research portfolios.
Julianne Averill joins the board with over two decades of experience in the life sciences and digital health sectors. As a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer specializing in healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI), Averill has consistently focused on the intersection of fiscal responsibility and scientific innovation. Currently a Managing Director at Danforth Health, she has a history of partnering with biotechnology leadership teams to translate complex scientific concepts into scalable solutions that impact patient outcomes. Her expertise in governance and strategic advisory is expected to enhance CureSearch’s financial stewardship and its ability to attract diverse funding streams for high-risk, high-reward research.
Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, a trained pediatric hematologist-oncologist, represents the clinical and industry-alignment arm of the new board appointments. Currently the Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at Inovio, Dr. Skolnik leads programs focused on immuno-oncology DNA medicines. His career includes senior leadership roles at global pharmaceutical giants such as AstraZeneca and GSK, as well as TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Skolnik’s nine-year history with CureSearch, specifically as the Chair of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), has been instrumental in refining how the organization evaluates research proposals. His recent recognition as the recipient of the CureSearch 2025 Scientific Visionary Award underscores his role in ensuring that funded projects possess the clinical utility required to reach the bedside.
Mike Crowe brings a legacy of enterprise-level technological leadership to the board. As the retired Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Colgate-Palmolive, where he served for 34 years, Crowe possesses deep expertise in global operations, data management, and digital transformation. His transition into advisory roles for AI-focused organizations and academic institutions provides CureSearch with a unique perspective on how technology can optimize the research process. Beyond his professional credentials, Crowe’s involvement is deeply personal; he and his family established "Team Steve: The Steven Crowe Legacy Fund" at CureSearch in 2023 to honor their late son. This combination of executive-level operational knowledge and a profound commitment to the mission provides a vital link between the organization’s strategic goals and the families it serves.
The Landscape of Pediatric Cancer: Context and Supporting Data
The expansion of the CureSearch Board of Directors is a response to the persistent "funding gap" and the "valley of death" in pediatric drug development. Despite advancements in medical science, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States. According to data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.
While survival rates for some forms of pediatric cancer have improved significantly over the last several decades, others—such as certain types of brain tumors and metastatic sarcomas—remain largely intractable. Furthermore, many survivors face long-term health complications due to the toxicity of current treatments, which are often adapted from adult protocols rather than designed specifically for the developing bodies of children.
A primary challenge in the field is that pediatric cancers are biologically distinct from adult cancers, meaning they require unique therapeutic approaches. However, because the pediatric patient population is smaller than the adult population, traditional pharmaceutical companies often find it difficult to justify the research and development costs associated with pediatric-specific drugs. This is where organizations like CureSearch play a pivotal role. By funding early-stage research and providing the industry expertise necessary to de-risk these projects, CureSearch helps bridge the gap between academic discovery and pharmaceutical investment.
A Chronology of Impact: The Evolution of CureSearch’s Strategy
CureSearch’s decision to integrate these specific leaders is the latest step in a multi-year evolution of the organization’s strategic model. Historically, pediatric cancer research was largely confined to academic settings, with limited pathways for commercialization. Recognizing this bottleneck, CureSearch developed a unique framework that incorporates both a Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) and an Industry Advisory Council (IAC).
The timeline of this evolution highlights a shift toward "bench-to-bedside" accountability:
- Phase 1: Academic Support: Early years focused on broad academic grants to understand the basic biology of childhood cancers.
- Phase 2: Targeted Funding: The establishment of the Catalyst Fund and other targeted initiatives aimed at moving specific therapies toward clinical trials.
- Phase 3: Industry Integration: The formalization of the IAC, led by figures like Dr. Skolnik, to ensure that every research project is evaluated for its potential to survive the rigorous FDA approval process and attract industry partners.
- Phase 4: Scaling and Governance: The current phase involves bringing in leaders like Averill and Crowe to apply enterprise-grade technology and financial strategies to the nonprofit model.
This chronology demonstrates a move away from passive grant-making toward active portfolio management, a trend that is becoming increasingly common among high-impact medical research nonprofits.
Official Responses and Organizational Vision
The leadership at CureSearch has expressed significant confidence in the new board members’ ability to drive the organization’s mission forward. In official statements, the organization emphasized that the combined expertise of Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe would strengthen its ability to accelerate progress.
Julianne Averill noted that her appointment is an opportunity to apply governance and healthcare experience to support research that can "truly change lives," emphasizing the importance of turning discovery into meaningful outcomes for families. Dr. Skolnik highlighted the unique position of CureSearch in the nonprofit space, noting that the dual-council review process (SAC and IAC) ensures that only the "best of the best" research projects receive support. This rigorous vetting process is essential for maintaining the organization’s credibility with both donors and the pharmaceutical industry.
Mike Crowe’s perspective reflects the human element of the organization’s work. He stated that his family’s goal is to ensure no other family has to endure the loss they experienced, aligning his professional technological acumen with a bold personal purpose.
Analysis of Implications for the Future of Pediatric Oncology
The inclusion of an AI-focused CFO, a clinical development expert, and a former global CIO on the same board suggests that CureSearch is preparing for a future where data and efficiency are as important as biological discovery.
- AI and Data-Driven Research: With Averill and Crowe’s backgrounds, CureSearch is well-positioned to leverage AI and machine learning to analyze pediatric cancer data. This could lead to more precise patient stratification in clinical trials, potentially reducing the time and cost required to bring a new drug to market.
- De-risking for Industry Partners: Dr. Skolnik’s expertise allows the organization to "speak the language" of big pharma. By ensuring that CureSearch-funded research meets industry standards for data integrity and clinical readiness, the organization increases the likelihood that these therapies will be picked up for large-scale production.
- Operational Scalability: Crowe’s experience in managing the infrastructure of a global corporation like Colgate-Palmolive suggests that CureSearch is looking to scale its operations. Efficient internal systems allow a higher percentage of donor dollars to go directly toward research rather than administrative overhead.
Conclusion: A Multi-Faceted Approach to a Complex Problem
The appointment of Julianne Averill, Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, and Mike Crowe to the CureSearch Board of Directors represents a sophisticated approach to nonprofit governance. By combining the rigor of clinical science with the efficiency of modern technology and the discipline of healthcare finance, CureSearch is addressing the structural barriers that have long slowed progress in pediatric oncology.
As the organization moves forward, the success of these appointments will be measured by the speed at which new treatments reach the clinic. In a field where time is the most precious commodity for patients and their families, the strategic alignment of this new leadership team offers a promising roadmap toward a future where every child diagnosed with cancer has a viable path to a cure. The integration of these leaders ensures that CureSearch remains at the forefront of the fight against pediatric cancer, driving innovation that is as compassionate as it is scientifically advanced.
