By admin 
CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a leading national non-profit dedicated to accelerating the development of transformative pediatric cancer treatments, has announced the appointment of three distinguished leaders to its National Board of Directors. The new members—Julianne Averill, Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, and Mike Crowe—bring a formidable combination of expertise in healthcare finance, biotechnology, clinical development, and global information technology. These appointments come at a critical juncture for the organization as it seeks to bridge the funding gap between laboratory discovery and clinical application, a phase often referred to in the pharmaceutical industry as the "valley of death." By integrating high-level corporate governance with deep scientific and personal commitment, CureSearch aims to expedite the delivery of safer, more effective therapies to the thousands of children diagnosed with cancer each year.
The addition of these three leaders reflects a strategic shift toward a multidisciplinary approach to non-profit management. As pediatric oncology faces unique hurdles—including a smaller market size compared to adult oncology and significant regulatory complexities—the board’s expansion is designed to provide the technical and financial oversight necessary to navigate a rapidly evolving medical landscape. Each appointee has a documented history of service to CureSearch, ensuring that their transition into formal board roles is underpinned by a thorough understanding of the organization’s mission to end childhood cancer.
Profiles of the New Board Appointees
Julianne Averill joins the board as a seasoned expert in the intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and financial strategy. Currently serving as a Managing Director at Danforth Health, Averill has spent over two decades advising science-driven organizations within the biotech and digital health ecosystems. Her career has been defined by a focus on translating complex scientific concepts into scalable business models that prioritize patient outcomes. As a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer with expertise in AI applications for healthcare, Averill is expected to provide critical guidance on the fiscal sustainability of CureSearch’s research portfolio and the integration of emerging technologies into the drug discovery process. Her background in governance will further strengthen the board’s ability to maintain rigorous standards of transparency and impact.
Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, a trained pediatric hematologist-oncologist, brings a wealth of clinical and industry experience to the board. As the Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at Inovio, Dr. Skolnik leads programs focused on DNA-based immuno-oncology medicines. His career includes significant leadership tenures at global pharmaceutical giants such as AstraZeneca and GSK, as well as TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Skolnik’s relationship with CureSearch spans nearly a decade, during which he has served as the Chair of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC). In this capacity, he has been instrumental in evaluating research proposals to ensure they possess the scientific rigor and clinical viability required to reach the market. His recent receipt of the CureSearch 2025 Scientific Visionary Award underscores his reputation as a leader capable of streamlining the path from the bench to the bedside.
Mike Crowe rounds out the new appointments, bringing a perspective rooted in both executive leadership and personal advocacy. The retired Chief Information Officer of the Colgate-Palmolive Company, Crowe oversaw global technology operations for nearly a decade of his 34-year tenure at the firm. Currently an independent board director for organizations such as the New York Independent System Operator and Specright, Crowe’s expertise in data management and digital infrastructure is vital for a modern non-profit handling complex research data. His commitment to the cause is deeply personal; following the loss of his son, Steven, Crowe and his family established "Team Steve: The Steven Crowe Legacy Fund" at CureSearch in 2023. This dual perspective—as a high-level technology strategist and a bereaved parent—positions Crowe to advocate for both the efficiency of the organization and the urgent needs of the families it serves.
The Landscape of Pediatric Cancer Research and the Role of CureSearch
The appointment of these directors occurs against a backdrop of significant challenges in the field of pediatric oncology. While survival rates for some forms of childhood cancer have improved over the last 50 years, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States. According to data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), approximately 15,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer annually in the U.S. alone.
Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry has historically faced limited incentives to develop drugs specifically for children. Between 1948 and 2003, only two drugs were initially FDA-approved specifically for pediatric cancer. While legislation such as the RACE for Children Act (Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity) has mandated that companies testing adult cancer drugs also investigate their efficacy in children if the molecular targets are relevant, a significant gap remains. CureSearch addresses this gap by funding "high-potential" research that is too advanced for basic academic grants but not yet mature enough for private venture capital.
By bringing Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe onto the board, CureSearch is enhancing its ability to identify which projects are most likely to survive the clinical trial process. Dr. Skolnik’s experience with the IAC is particularly relevant here, as it provides a framework for "industry-standard" vetting of non-profit-funded research.
Chronology of Organizational Evolution
CureSearch has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade, moving from a broad-based research foundation to a targeted catalyst for drug development.
- Early Foundation: Originally focused on supporting the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the organization rebranded and pivoted its strategy to address the specific "funding cliff" that occurs after initial discovery.
- Establishment of the IAC: Recognizing that scientific brilliance does not always equate to clinical feasibility, CureSearch established the Industry Advisory Council to bring pharmaceutical perspectives into the grant-making process.
- Introduction of the Catapult Awards: These awards were designed to fund Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, providing the necessary data to attract larger industry partners.
- 2023-2024 Strategic Expansion: The founding of the Steven Crowe Legacy Fund and the subsequent recruitment of Mike Crowe, Julianne Averill, and Dr. Skolnik represent the latest phase of this evolution—integrating AI, tech infrastructure, and venture-level financial oversight into the leadership core.
Supporting Data and Financial Implications
The financial health and strategic direction of a non-profit are paramount to its long-term success. CureSearch’s model relies on "venture philanthropy," where donations are treated as investments in specific medical outcomes. The expertise of Julianne Averill is expected to enhance this model. In the biotech sector, where Averill operates, the cost of bringing a single drug to market can exceed $2 billion. While pediatric drugs often cost less due to smaller trial sizes, the financial risk remains high.
Data suggests that non-profits with strong industry ties are more successful in seeing their funded projects reach the clinic. By utilizing Dr. Skolnik’s insights into the FDA regulatory pathway and Mike Crowe’s experience in managing vast datasets, CureSearch can optimize its internal operations to ensure that a higher percentage of every dollar donated goes directly toward viable research.
Official Responses and Strategic Vision
The leadership at CureSearch has expressed high confidence in the new appointments. In statements regarding the expansion, the organization emphasized that the board’s role is not merely oversight, but active acceleration. The consensus among the leadership is that the diverse backgrounds of the new members will prevent "siloed" thinking.
"Being part of the CureSearch Board is incredibly meaningful to me," said Julianne Averill. "It’s a chance to apply my healthcare and governance experience in service of children and families, and to support research that can truly change lives."
Dr. Skolnik highlighted the unique structural advantages of the organization: "CureSearch is uniquely positioned to lead the pediatric cancer drug development not-for-profit space. Our Scientific Advisory Council, combined with the Industry Advisory Council, ensures a robust, multi-faceted review of all research projects and allows us to support only the best of the best."
For Mike Crowe, the appointment is a continuation of a legacy. "I am honored to be joining the CureSearch Board of Directors, because the bold CureSearch purpose directly aligns with my family’s goal to ensure no child and no family ever again has to endure the pain and loss we have experienced," he stated.
Analysis of Broader Impact and Future Outlook
The implications of these appointments extend beyond the internal workings of CureSearch. They signal a broader trend in the non-profit sector where "lived experience" is being paired with "high-level technical competency" to drive social change.
From a technological standpoint, Mike Crowe’s involvement could herald a new era of data-sharing and collaborative platforms within pediatric oncology. In an era where AI is being used to predict protein folding and identify new drug targets, having a board member with a background in global IT and AI advisory is a significant asset. This could lead to more efficient patient recruitment for clinical trials and better tracking of long-term outcomes for survivors, who often face secondary health issues later in life.
Furthermore, the focus on "better, faster" treatments is a direct response to the toxicity of current standard-of-care treatments. Many children currently undergo chemotherapy and radiation protocols that were developed decades ago. While these treatments can be effective at killing cancer cells, they often cause lifelong damage to developing organs. The strategic focus of the new board members is expected to prioritize "targeted therapies"—treatments that attack cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue—which is the current frontier of oncology.
As CureSearch moves into 2025, the organization is positioned to act as a sophisticated intermediary between academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and the patient community. The collective expertise of Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe provides the necessary scaffolding to support this ambitious agenda. Their leadership will likely influence how other pediatric disease foundations structure their governance, moving toward a model that values clinical viability and technological integration as much as scientific curiosity.
In conclusion, the appointment of Julianne Averill, Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, and Mike Crowe to the CureSearch National Board of Directors represents a calculated and comprehensive strengthening of the organization’s leadership. By leveraging their deep roots in healthcare, technology, and personal advocacy, CureSearch is reinforcing its commitment to a future where pediatric cancer is no longer a terminal diagnosis, but a manageable and ultimately curable condition. The synergy of these diverse skill sets ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of the fight for children’s lives, driving innovation through the "valley of death" and into the hands of the clinicians and families who need it most.