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The national non-profit organization CureSearch for Children’s Cancer has officially announced the appointment of three prominent executives to its Board of Directors, a move intended to bolster the organization’s strategic oversight as it accelerates the development of novel pediatric cancer therapies. Julianne Averill, Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, and Mike Crowe join the board at a critical juncture for the organization, bringing a diverse set of competencies spanning artificial intelligence, clinical drug development, global information technology, and corporate governance. These appointments underscore a growing trend within the non-profit sector to integrate high-level industry expertise to bridge the "Valley of Death," the notorious gap between laboratory discovery and clinical application that often stalls the progress of life-saving treatments for rare and pediatric diseases.
CureSearch, which operates with the primary mission of ending childhood cancer by driving targeted research toward the clinic, has long utilized a dual-review system that combines scientific rigor with industrial feasibility. By bringing these three leaders into the fold, the organization aims to enhance its ability to identify and fund high-potential research that can withstand the logistical and financial hurdles of the pharmaceutical pipeline. The new board members are expected to provide the necessary leadership to ensure that promising pediatric research projects are not only scientifically sound but also commercially viable enough to attract the investment required for large-scale clinical trials.
Strategic Profiles of the New Board Members
The appointment of Julianne Averill reflects the organization’s focus on the intersection of healthcare and emerging technologies. As a Managing Director at Danforth Health and a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer with a specialization in healthcare AI, Averill brings more than two decades of experience in the life sciences and biotech ecosystems. Her career has been defined by helping science-driven organizations translate complex technical data into scalable business models that can deliver patient-impacting solutions. In the context of pediatric cancer, where funding is often fragmented, Averill’s expertise in strategic financial planning and governance is viewed as a vital asset for maintaining the long-term sustainability of CureSearch’s research portfolio.
Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, a trained pediatric hematologist-oncologist, represents the clinical and industry bridge essential to the organization’s mission. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at Inovio, Dr. Skolnik leads programs centered on immuno-oncology DNA medicines. His previous leadership roles at major pharmaceutical firms, including AstraZeneca and GSK, provide him with a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory and clinical hurdles involved in drug development. Dr. Skolnik’s nine-year history with CureSearch, specifically as the Chair of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), has already shaped the organization’s approach to research evaluation. His appointment to the national board is seen as a formalization of his role as a key architect of the organization’s clinical strategy.
Mike Crowe’s addition to the board brings a unique perspective on global operations and digital transformation. As the retired Chief Information Officer of the Colgate-Palmolive Company, Crowe spent over three decades managing complex systems for a Fortune 500 entity. His transition into independent board directorship for various technology and AI-focused organizations allows him to offer CureSearch high-level guidance on data management and operational efficiency. Beyond his professional credentials, Crowe’s involvement is deeply personal. Following the loss of his son, Steven, his family established Team Steve: The Steven Crowe Legacy Fund at CureSearch. This blend of professional acumen and personal commitment provides the board with a stakeholder perspective that is essential for mission-driven governance.
Chronology and Organizational Evolution
The appointment of these three leaders is part of a broader evolution for CureSearch, which has historically sought to differentiate itself from other cancer charities through its "industry-first" mindset. Founded originally as the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, the organization has spent the last two decades refining its model to address the specific market failures of pediatric oncology. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric cancers are often classified as rare diseases, which traditionally limits the incentive for large pharmaceutical companies to invest in research and development due to smaller patient populations.
In early 2023, the organization began a concerted effort to expand its Industry Advisory Council and its Scientific Advisory Council to better reflect the changing landscape of biotechnology, particularly in the realms of gene therapy and immunotherapy. The inclusion of Dr. Skolnik on the board follows his recognition as the 2025 Scientific Visionary Award recipient, an honor that signaled the organization’s intent to elevate industry-savvy clinicians to its highest levels of governance. Throughout 2024, CureSearch has intensified its focus on "accelerator" models, which provide not just funding, but also the project management and regulatory expertise needed to move a drug through the FDA approval process. The formal seating of Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe in late 2024 serves as the culmination of this strategic recruitment phase.
Supporting Data and the Pediatric Cancer Landscape
The urgency behind these appointments is underscored by the stark realities of pediatric cancer research funding in the United States. While cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children, pediatric cancer research receives only about 4% to 6% of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget. This funding disparity creates a reliance on non-profit organizations like CureSearch to fill the gap. According to data from the American Cancer Society, approximately 9,620 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2024. While survival rates have improved significantly over the last several decades, the long-term effects of current treatments—which often involve heavy chemotherapy and radiation—can be devastating, leading to chronic health issues in more than 60% of survivors.
CureSearch’s model specifically targets the "Impact" and "Catapult" stages of research. The organization’s internal data suggests that by applying industry-standard metrics to academic research, they can increase the likelihood of a project reaching Phase I clinical trials by a significant margin. By focusing on the "Industry-Readiness" of a project, the board ensures that the $2 to $5 million typically required for early-stage pediatric trials is directed toward the most promising candidates. The addition of an AI-specialist like Averill and a technology veteran like Crowe is particularly relevant given that AI and big data are now being used to repurpose adult cancer drugs for pediatric use, a strategy that can save years of development time and millions of dollars in costs.
Official Responses and Governance Impact
The leadership at CureSearch has emphasized that the new board members were selected not only for their resumes but for their alignment with a "patient-first" philosophy. Kay Koehler, the President and CEO of CureSearch, noted that the combined expertise of the new members strengthens the organization’s ability to navigate the increasingly complex healthcare environment. The organization maintains that its board must function as a working body, with members actively involved in the vetting of research proposals and the oversight of the organization’s financial health.
Julianne Averill stated that her role on the board is an opportunity to apply rigorous healthcare governance in service of families, ensuring that every dollar donated is utilized with maximum efficiency. Dr. Skolnik highlighted the unique positioning of CureSearch, noting that the synergy between the Scientific Advisory Council and the Industry Advisory Council allows the organization to support "only the best of the best," thereby reducing the risk of clinical failure. Mike Crowe echoed these sentiments, stressing that his family’s goal—and by extension his goal as a director—is to prevent other families from enduring the loss associated with pediatric cancer through the advancement of bold, purpose-driven research.
Analysis of Broader Implications
The integration of high-level corporate and clinical expertise into the CureSearch board reflects a broader shift in the philanthropic sector toward "venture philanthropy." In this model, non-profits act more like venture capitalists, providing "seed" funding to high-risk, high-reward research projects that the traditional market might overlook. By appointing leaders with backgrounds in AI, clinical development, and global IT, CureSearch is positioning itself to handle the data-heavy and regulatory-intense environment of modern medicine.
This strategic move is likely to have several long-term implications. First, it increases the organization’s credibility with potential pharmaceutical partners. When a project is vetted by a board that includes a former CIO of a global giant and a current SVP of clinical development, it carries a "seal of approval" that can facilitate licensing deals and partnerships. Second, the focus on AI and technology suggests that CureSearch may be looking to invest in digital health and diagnostic tools that can assist in the early detection and personalized treatment of childhood cancers.
Furthermore, the appointment of Mike Crowe highlights the importance of the "legacy fund" model in non-profit sustainability. By bridging the gap between grieving families and corporate boardrooms, CureSearch is creating a governance structure that is both emotionally grounded and professionally rigorous. As the organization moves toward its 2025 goals, the influence of these three leaders will be measured by the speed at which new therapies move from the laboratory bench to the bedside of the children who need them most. In a field where time is the most precious commodity, the expertise of Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe represents a significant investment in the future of pediatric oncology.