About Dr. Karen E. Knudsen
Visionary Leader. Renowned Researcher. Advocate for Health Equity.
Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, MBA PhD is an experienced C-suite leader with over 3 decades of expertise in scientific innovation, clinical translation, academic healthcare leadership, health equity advocacy/policy, and business transformation. Through executive operational leadership and board service, she dedicated her career to advancing progress through scientific discovery, improving patient outcomes, and access to quality healthcare.
Professional Background
Dr. Knudsen currently serves as Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of both the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Dr. Knudsen guided both organizations toward the goal of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. Her expertise in mergers and acquisitions played a key role in evolving ACS from a federated model into a unified, high-performing organization.
Under Dr. Knudsen, ACS was transformed to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through a tripartite strategy of cancer discovery, advocacy and direct patient support, touching >55 million lives each year. Her strategic guidance fueled a period of remarkable growth, with annual revenues increasing by more than 30% and achieving record-breaking investments in the mission. This impact earned ACS its first-ever top rating from Charity Navigator. During her tenure, Dr. Knudsen also launched mission-aligned initiatives, including a partnership with Color Health, a patient navigator certification program (ACS LION), and an impact investment arm (BrightEdge).
Prior to leading ACS and ACS CAN, Dr. Knudsen was the EVP of Oncology Services for Jefferson Health and Enterprise Director of the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, leading oncology for a 16 hospital system across 2 states. She is known for her practice-changing discoveries in prostate cancer, and holds thought leadership roles on advisory boards in the healthcare and biopharma industries. She has chaired or served on numerous Boards (including the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and the American Association for Cancer Research) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Research!America. She also served on the Board of Advisors for the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Knudsen has received numerous awards recognizing her impact in cancer research and healthcare leadership. Recently named one of Forbes’ “50 Over 50: Women of Impact,” she has also been honored as a CNBC “Changemaker” and a QVC “Quintessential 50” leader. Dr. Knudsen is an active member of the CNBC CEOs Council, the Wall Street Journal CEOs Council, and Milken Institute Executive Circle.
Personal Philosophy
Dr. Knudsen believes in the power of collaboration, resilience, and compassion. Her personal philosophy is rooted in the idea that every individual has the potential to make a significant impact, and she strives to inspire others to pursue their passions with integrity and determination.
Through this website, Dr. Knudsen shares her insights, experiences, and ongoing work in the fight against cancer. Whether you are a fellow researcher, a healthcare professional, a patient, or someone interested in the future of cancer care, Dr. Knudsen hopes to engage, inform, and inspire you.
Connect with Dr. Knudsen
Thank you for visiting. Please explore the site to learn more about Dr. Knudsen’s work, read her latest publications, and discover how you can join her in the mission to create a world without cancer.
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