President Bush Nominates Nancy G. Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as Chief of Protocol
Leader of global breast cancer movement tapped to serve as U.S. face to the world
DALLAS – June 18, 2007 – President Bush today announced the nomination of Nancy G. Brinker as Chief of Protocol at the Department of State. In this role, Brinker will be responsible for overseeing the visits of chiefs of state, heads of government and other international dignitaries who travel to the United States to meet with the President, Vice President or Secretary of State. She will also accompany delegations representing the President at official ceremonies abroad. The White House officially announced the news today.
“I am honored to serve our country in this important, public capacity,” said Brinker. “I was raised to always give back to the world, which is why I’ve dedicated my life to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and raising awareness about women’s health issues on a global level. This position provides me the opportunity to serve at the ultimate level.”
Leadership through experience
In addition to her role as the founder of Komen for the Cure, Brinker, a breast cancer survivor and sister to Susan G. Komen, served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary and has served on the National Cancer Panel under Presidents Reagan and Bush. She has been an advocate in congressional hearings, the U.S. Democratic Policy Committee’s Congressional Breast Cancer Forum and the National Dialogue on Cancer, now known as C-Change.
“As the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which started the global breast cancer movement, and a leader in global health diplomacy, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker’s nomination as Chief of Protocol comes as no surprise,” said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “She truly represents the great American story of strength and courage – one woman who has changed the lives of millions.”
Increasing awareness on a global level
Working through Komen, Brinker has fostered understanding of women’s health issues, particularly breast cancer, to transcend barriers and improve the lives of women everywhere. From delivering life-saving messages to people in more than 200 countries, to providing funds to programs in 50 countries, to creating a dialogue in places where it is still not possible to say the words “breast cancer” out loud, for the Cure has demonstrated how local activism drives global social change.
Today, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists and the largest private source of funds for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. As it has for the past 25 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its millions of supporters will remain steadfast in fulfilling Brinker’s original promise to her sister – a promise that has become the promise of millions. To that end, Komen will continue its aggressive pledge to invest an additional $1 billion in breast cancer research and community outreach programs in the next decade to match the $1 billion it has contributed since the organization's inception.
In recent years, Brinker has served on the boards of FasterCures and the LHC Group. Prior to assuming her position as Ambassador to Hungary, Brinker served on the boards of Manpower, Inc. and U.S. Oncology. In addition, Brinker served on the national advisory boards of the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, Women’s Health Resource Center, Women’s Health Initiative, the National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship and the National Cancer Institute. She is a former board member of such not-for-profit organizations as New York University’s Medical School Foundation and National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project. Brinker has testified before the United States Democratic Policy Committee’s Congressional Breast Cancer Forum and participated in the International Women’s Forum.
Recipient of numerous national awards
Brinker is the recipient of numerous national awards including the 2007 Trumpet Award, the 2007 Pro Cultura Hungarica Medal, the inaugural American Association for Cancer Research Centennial Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 2007, the 2007 Castle Connolly National Health Leadership Award, the 2007 IARC Medal of Honour, the American Society of Breast Disease 2006 Global Pathfinder Award, the 2005 Mary Woodard Lasker Public Service Award in Support of Medical Research, the 2005 Advocacy Award presented by Research!America, the 2004 Service to America Leadership Award presented by the National Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation, The Champions of Excellence Award presented by the Centers for Disease Control, the ASCO Special Recognition Award, Ladies’ Home Journal’s 100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century, Biography Magazine’s The 25 Most Powerful Women in America, among many others. In addition, she was inducted into the Cancer Research and Treatment Fund, Inc. Cancer Survivors Hall of Fame and the Modern Healthcare 2007 Health Care Hall of Fame.
Upon confirmation, Brinker will continue her involvement with Komen in her private capacity during her term of service.