S1E14: Nonprofit Leadership - How a Lawyer Transformed Childhood Cancer Research

Former business litigator Kristin Connor shares how her son's cancer diagnosis transformed her career path, leading her to establish a nonprofit focused on underfunded pediatric cancer research. 

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Connor dispels the myth that nonprofit work can't provide financial stability, explaining how the right board and funders understand the importance of competitive compensation to attract talent dedicated to solving critical problems. Her story demonstrates how leaning into personal trauma became the catalyst for creating meaningful change, driven by the heartbreaking realities she witnessed firsthand—from young children enduring treatment to desperate families running out of time and options.
 
 
 
 Key Points:

• Kristin Connor transitioned from a 10-year career as a business litigator to childhood cancer advocacy after her youngest son was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2001.
• Only 5% of federal cancer research funding goes to childhood cancers, despite childhood cancers being biologically different from adult cancers.
• Connor's organization, Cure Childhood Cancer, has raised over $100 million during her 19-year tenure as leader.
• The organization follows a dual mission: funding targeted research for childhood cancers and providing comprehensive family support from diagnosis through survivorship or bereavement.
• They focus strategically on the hardest-to-cure childhood cancers and projects that are approximately three years away from clinical impact.
• In 2017, they helped launch the third pediatric cancer precision medicine program in the country, which has become an international leader in the field.
• Connor's team consists primarily of people personally affected by childhood cancer (parents, survivors, siblings), bringing deep empathy to their work.
• Connor emphasizes that nonprofit work should pay fairly to attract and retain talented staff - her board supported increasing compensation as the organization grew.
• The personal connection to families and witnessing tangible research progress provides motivation to continue in emotionally challenging work.
• Critical thinking, strategic vision, advocacy skills (from her legal background), and genuine empathy are key skills that have helped Connor succeed.
   

Resources:

• Cure Childhood Cancer (organization)
• Pediatric cancer precision medicine programs
• Scientific advisory groups for research funding