By admin 
The national non-profit organization CureSearch for Children’s Cancer has announced the appointment of three veteran leaders to its National Board of Directors, a move designed to fortify the organization’s strategic oversight across healthcare, life sciences, and technological innovation. Julianne Averill, Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, and Mike Crowe join the board at a critical juncture for pediatric oncology, bringing a combined decades-long history of supporting the organization’s mission to accelerate the development of life-saving treatments. Their appointments reflect a broader organizational strategy to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and clinical application, ensuring that high-potential research reaches the bedside of pediatric patients with greater efficiency.
A Strategic Expansion of Governance and Expertise
The addition of these three directors represents a calculated effort by CureSearch to diversify its leadership bench with professionals who understand the complexities of the modern medical landscape. The organization, which focuses on funding clinical trials and innovative research that the traditional pharmaceutical industry may overlook, requires a governance structure capable of navigating the intersections of biotechnology, digital health, and large-scale corporate governance.
Each new member brings a unique perspective: Julianne Averill offers deep expertise in healthcare finance and artificial intelligence; Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik provides a clinical and industry-focused lens on drug development; and Mike Crowe contributes high-level technological leadership and a profound personal commitment to the cause. Together, they are tasked with steering the organization toward its goal of ending the "funding gap" that often stalls pediatric cancer research.
Julianne Averill: Navigating the Intersection of AI and Healthcare Finance
Julianne Averill joins the board as a recognized leader in the healthcare AI and biotechnology sectors. Currently serving as a Managing Director at Danforth Health, Averill has spent more than 20 years partnering with science-driven organizations to translate complex biological discoveries into scalable, patient-centric business models. Her role as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Business Officer (CBO) in the AI-driven healthcare space positions her as a vital asset for CureSearch as the organization explores how emerging technologies can optimize research outcomes.
In the current medical landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence into drug discovery and clinical trial design is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Averill’s background in supporting digital health ecosystems allows her to provide strategic advice on how CureSearch can leverage data-driven methodologies to identify the most promising research projects. Her commitment to rigorous governance ensures that the organization’s financial resources are allocated with maximum transparency and impact. Averill has emphasized that her involvement is rooted in a desire to apply her corporate experience to a mission that directly alters the trajectories of families affected by cancer.
Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik: Bridging the Gap Between Industry and the Clinic
Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik’s appointment to the board is a natural progression of his nine-year tenure with CureSearch. As the Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at Inovio, Dr. Skolnik leads programs focused on immuno-oncology DNA medicines—a field that represents the cutting edge of cancer treatment. A trained pediatric hematologist-oncologist, he brings the dual perspective of a clinician who has treated patients and an industry executive who understands the regulatory and commercial hurdles of drug development.
Dr. Skolnik’s leadership as the Chair of the CureSearch Industry Advisory Council (IAC) has already been instrumental in shaping the organization’s research portfolio. The IAC, working alongside the Scientific Advisory Council (SAC), provides a "dual-gate" review process for research proposals. This ensures that projects are not only scientifically sound but also have a clear pathway to commercialization and clinical use. His recent receipt of the CureSearch 2025 Scientific Visionary Award underscores his reputation as a leader who prioritizes "better, faster" ways to bring innovative therapies to children. His presence on the board will likely strengthen CureSearch’s partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, where he serves as an adjunct associate professor.
Mike Crowe: Technological Innovation and the Power of Personal Legacy
Mike Crowe brings a wealth of experience from the highest levels of global corporate technology. As the retired Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Colgate-Palmolive Company, Crowe managed the technological infrastructure of a multi-billion-dollar enterprise for nearly a decade. His expertise in digital transformation, data security, and operational efficiency is particularly relevant as medical research becomes increasingly reliant on large-scale data sets and collaborative digital platforms.
Beyond his professional accolades, Crowe’s involvement is deeply personal. In early 2023, he and his family established "Team Steve: The Steven Crowe Legacy Fund" at CureSearch to honor the memory of their son, Steven. This fund is dedicated to supporting research that prevents other families from experiencing the loss of a child to cancer. Crowe’s dual role as a grieving parent and a seasoned technology executive provides him with a unique ability to advocate for both the emotional needs of families and the practical needs of a high-functioning non-profit. His appointment signals CureSearch’s commitment to maintaining a board that is as empathetic as it is expert.
The Landscape of Pediatric Cancer Research: A Contextual Overview
To understand the significance of these appointments, one must consider the current state of pediatric oncology in the United States. While survival rates for certain childhood cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), have improved significantly over the last few decades, other forms of the disease remain nearly 100% fatal. Furthermore, survivors often face lifelong health challenges due to the toxicity of current treatments, which were often designed for adults and adapted for children.
Data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) indicates that while cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the U.S., only a small fraction of federal cancer research funding—historically around 4%—is specifically allocated to pediatric-only research. This disparity creates a "valley of death" where promising laboratory discoveries languish because they lack the financial backing to enter clinical trials. CureSearch addresses this gap by acting as an accelerator, providing the "bridge" funding necessary to move treatments through the early, high-risk phases of development.
Chronology of CureSearch’s Strategic Evolution
CureSearch has undergone a significant evolution in its approach to funding. Originally part of a larger clinical trial network, the organization transitioned into an independent entity focused on driving innovation through targeted grants and industry collaboration.
- 2010s: The organization shifted its focus toward the "CureSearch Acceleration Initiative," which targeted research with a high probability of reaching clinical trials within three years.
- 2020-2023: Increased emphasis on the Industry Advisory Council to involve pharmaceutical experts earlier in the research process.
- 2024-2025: The expansion of the National Board of Directors to include experts in AI, digital health, and global technology, reflecting the modern needs of medical philanthropy.
The appointment of Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe marks the latest chapter in this chronology, positioning the organization to handle the complexities of 21st-century medicine.
Broader Implications and Industry Analysis
The inclusion of leaders from the AI and technology sectors on a medical board reflects a growing trend in the non-profit world. As drug development becomes more data-intensive, organizations like CureSearch must be able to evaluate the "tech-readiness" of the projects they fund. Julianne Averill’s expertise in AI will likely help CureSearch identify researchers who are using machine learning to predict drug interactions or patient responses, potentially saving years of trial-and-error in the clinic.
Furthermore, Dr. Skolnik’s role suggests an increasing focus on immuno-oncology. As the medical community moves away from broad-spectrum chemotherapy toward precision medicine, having a board member who is actively developing DNA medicines ensures that CureSearch remains at the forefront of the next generation of therapies.
From a philanthropic perspective, Mike Crowe’s appointment highlights the importance of "venture philanthropy." This model treats charitable donations like investments, where the "return" is measured in lives saved and medical milestones reached. By combining the emotional urgency of the Team Steve Legacy Fund with the operational rigor of a former Fortune 500 CIO, CureSearch is demonstrating how personal loss can be channeled into systematic change.
Official Response and Future Outlook
While official statements from the board emphasize a unified front, the inferred reaction from the broader pediatric oncology community is one of optimism. Stakeholders, including clinical researchers and patient advocates, often look to board appointments as a signal of an organization’s future priorities. The current composition of the board suggests that CureSearch will continue to prioritize projects that have a clear commercialization strategy and a high degree of technological sophistication.
In the coming years, the leadership of Averill, Skolnik, and Crowe will be measured by the organization’s ability to reduce the time it takes for a new drug to move from a Phase I trial to FDA approval. With the average cost of developing a new drug exceeding $2 billion, the strategic guidance of these three individuals will be essential in ensuring that CureSearch’s investments are both prudent and transformative.
As CureSearch for Children’s Cancer moves forward, the integration of these three leaders into its governance structure provides a robust foundation for growth. Their collective expertise ensures that the organization is not only prepared to fund the science of today but is also equipped to shape the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow, ultimately working toward a future where every child diagnosed with cancer can look forward to a long and healthy life.
