Karen Knudsen discusses her career trajectory and leadership philosophy, tracing her path from PCF-funded prostate cancer researcher to CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Her lab was first to show that androgens control double-strand DNA break repair, work that contributed to PARP inhibitor development in prostate cancer via the TOPARP study. Dr. Knudsen describes a transformative leadership style focused on aligning every team member to the mission, and advises emerging leaders to use peer networks to pressure-test assumptions before taking stretch roles. She also highlights the PCF Gender Equity Networking Initiative, which she co-founded, as a model for closing the pipeline attrition gap for women in academic science.