I am writing to introduce myself to you as I take the helm of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP). I couldn’t be more excited to step into this role and help grow this organization that I care about so much. Together with our experienced and talented staff, our longstanding non-profit and business partners, and our generous supporters, we can turn the tide of this disease and help to prevent breast cancer before it starts.

I was first introduced to BCPP 10 years ago through my retail business, Sprout San Francisco. I started Sprout SF after working as an investment analyst focused on consumer products, where I learned about the myriad of toxic chemicals that Americans are exposed to every day. I left the investment world to create a chain of retail stores that would help families create healthier home environments for their young children. Along the way, I worked with several wonderful organizations advocating for environmental health issues. For me, BCPP stood apart from the rest because of its focus and ability to create huge change with a small team working incredibly hard.  Six years ago, I joined the Board, and since then, my commitment to BCPP’s mission has only grown. Now with the opportunity to step into the CEO role, I can put everything I have into helping BCPP achieve its critically important goals.

For me, breast cancer feels like it’s everywhere, and that’s because it is. One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This already includes way too many people that I know and love, as I am sure it does for many of you. Rates are especially rising among young people and are disproportionally high among communities that are already disadvantaged in other ways.  BCPP has the ability to help reverse this trend. This small but mighty organization has achieved many successes over the past 30 years, yet there is so much more to do. We want to invest more in educating people on how to protect themselves and to vote with their wallets for better products. We need to continue to push for a safer environment for all through partnerships with industry and policy reforms. We also need to stay on top of the science, translating the latest research into action for both legislative and educational purposes.

This is urgent and important.

I am a mom. My two teenage daughters deserve a safer environment than the one we have given them. Their risk of getting breast cancer in the future terrifies me. So, please, I invite you to take this journey with me to see what we can all do to change the future for ourselves and for our children. I look forward to connecting with each of you and to keeping you informed of our progress along the way. If you feel moved to help me get started in accelerating the speed and impact of our work, please make a donation here or reach out and let me know how you’d like to help.