The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation is pleased to announce the new Chair of its Board of Directors, Deborah J. Coleman. Ms. Coleman was unanimously elected at the Board’s annual meeting last month. She succeeds Alan Leventhal, who has led the Board since February 2010. Under his leadership, the Foundation expanded its annual award programs budget from approximately $9 million to more than $20 million in support of the most brilliant young cancer researchers.

Damon Runyon is singularly focused on eradicating cancer by unleashing the talent and creativity of the best young scientists working across the U.S. Its strategy is simple: Identify the best and most innovative young thinkers and support their bold cancer research goals – in the clinics, in the labs, and at computers.

“Cancer is a complex and dynamic foe. Amazing strides have been and continue to be made in understanding and disrupting its mechanisms. Damon Runyon brings to this urgent fight the many renowned senior scientists who volunteer their time to select and mentor the next generation of Damon Runyon scientists, a wide circle of generous supporters who fund Damon Runyon’s award programs, and, most importantly, the brilliant young scientists themselves. I am excited to work with the talented and committed members of our Board and with Damon Runyon’s exemplary in-house team to support Damon Runyon’s work,” says Deb Coleman.

“I am honored to have the privilege of working with such an extraordinarily committed Board of Directors. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of Alan, and now Deb, I am confident that Damon Runyon will continue to advance its mission of identifying and enabling the next generation of emerging talent that will make breakthroughs against all cancers,” says Yung S. Lie, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. Coleman has been a member of the Damon Runyon Board of Directors since 2012. She was most recently General Counsel and Partner at Convexity Capital Management LP, an investment manager located in Boston, Massachusetts.  Prior to Convexity, she was a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and of Harvard Law School.