FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2018
CONTACT:
Erika Wilhelm, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, 415-539-5005
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Today Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (formerly Breast Cancer Fund) President and CEO, Jeanne Rizzo, announced she is stepping down at the end of 2018.
Jeanne assumed her leadership role at BCPP in 2001 and was instrumental in shifting the organization’s focus to environmental causes of breast cancer, elevating the science that has since become a cornerstone of BCPP’s work.
“It has been a total privilege and honor for me to serve this organization, to advance the work to prevent breast cancer, and to share nearly two decades with staff and the incredible women and men dedicated to our mission. We are moving closer to prevention than ever before! It’s with immense pride and humility that I have decided my time has come to step down and turn this organization over to the next generation’s leader,” said Jeanne Rizzo.
Today, thanks to Jeanne’s relentless vision, collaboration, and trailblazing commitment to the cause, numerous gains have been made in reducing toxic chemicals in the marketplace and bringing prevention to the forefront.
Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says, “Jeanne Rizzo has been a tireless and dedicated advocate for breast cancer research and has offered invaluable support for breast cancer patients. We are natural allies in this war against breast cancer. Jeanne’s commitment to prevention was there from the very start. I’m confident that as Breast Cancer Prevention Partners continues on, BCPP will be unrelenting in their support for life-saving research and for policies and laws that safeguard public health and when it comes to the science I want to assure you that BCPP can continue to count on NIEHS as a partner!”
Under Jeanne’s leadership, BCPP has achieved tremendous accomplishments. The organization published the iconic “State of the Evidence: The connection between breast cancer and the environment” (with the most recent update in 2017), organized Climb Against the Odds, with 15 repeat expeditions on Mt. Shasta in California, over 400 climbers ascending 185,000 vertical feet, and more than $4.5 million raised for breast cancer prevention.
In addition, BCPP led the winning campaign to secure a federal ban on phthalates in toys. Jeanne was co-chair of the federal advisory National Institutes of Health’s Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee. And in 2017, BCPP spearheaded a winning campaign to secure passage of the California Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, the first law in the nation requiring disclosure of cleaning product ingredients on labels and websites, including secret fragrance chemicals.
“Jeanne has been both an inspiration and game changer for women’s health,” said Kit Crawford, co-owner and co-chief visionary officer of Clif Bar & Company. “She’s been at the helm since we began our partnership with BCPP in 2002. We’ll miss her tremendously, but know that her tenacious spirit will live on in the organization. We look forward to working with BCPP in the years ahead, proud to share in its vision of creating a healthier world that we can pass on to our children.”
BCPP remains utterly committed to its mission: to prevent breast cancer by eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation. The organization will continue to elevate science, educate the public, move the markets towards production of safer products, and call on legislators to enact health protective policies.
Gwen Walden, BCPP Board Chair says, “Jeanne’s leadership has set BCPP on a trajectory for even greater impact. The Board of Directors is engaged in a formal search process to find the next leader for our organization and for the field. We are committed to engaging with the staff, stakeholders, and partners throughout this process. The entire board is excited about this next phase of BCPP’s work.”
BCPP has launched an executive search, led by key board members and senior staff, to ensure the organization stays strong and continues its ongoing achievements contributing to breast cancer prevention. For additional information please contact Eunice Azzani, Azzani Search Consultants at eazzani@azzanisearch.com. To submit a resume and cover letter, please send to Tarek Azzani at tazzani@azzanisearch.com.
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Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) is the leading national science-based policy and advocacy organization working to prevent breast cancer by eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation. In 26 years BCPP has achieved much, including passing critical state and federal legislation, issuing over 30 major scientific reports, and influencing multi-national corporations such as Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson to adopt safer chemical policies. Visit: www.bcpp.org to learn more.
