Paula Schneider, CEO of Susan G. Komen, shares her inspiring journey through breast cancer and corporate turnarounds. Topics include accepting help during illness, leading through uncharted territory, proactive cancer prevention, and making decisions with imperfect information. Paula reshapes our understanding of success and demonstrates the power of facing and conquering the hard things in life.
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Quick takeaways
Paula Schneider's adaptability and entrepreneurial expertise in her career path.
Paula Schneider's determined mindset during her battle with breast cancer and her role as CEO of Susan G. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation.
Paula Schneider's leadership style emphasizes quick decision-making and staying calm in high-pressure situations.
Deep dives
Paula Schneider's professional journey
Paula Schneider's career path has been far from linear. From starting with a costume design major in college to becoming the CEO of American Apparel and later the CEO of the Susan G. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation, her arc has been marked by adaptability and entrepreneurial expertise.
Overcoming breast cancer diagnosis
Paula Schneider's experience with breast cancer was a life-changing moment. She utilized visualization techniques and a determined mindset to navigate her treatment and focus on her recovery. Her personal journey with breast cancer inspired her to take on a meaningful role as the CEO of the Susan G. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation.
Navigating challenges as a turnaround leader
Paula Schneider has an impressive track record in turnaround situations. From making tough decisions and implementing restructuring measures at American Apparel to reorganizing the Susan G. Coleman Foundation amid the challenges brought on by COVID-19, her leadership style emphasizes quick decision-making and rallying her team behind a unified goal.
Maintaining calm in high-pressure situations
Paula Schneider's ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations shines through her experiences. Whether it was handling a fire emergency in a massive manufacturing space or leading through difficult decision-making, her determined mindset and logical approach allowed her to navigate challenges with composure and efficiency.
Creating Awareness and Initiatives for Breast Cancer
The pink ribbon, which is synonymous with breast cancer awareness, was created by Nancy Brinker, the founder of Susan G. Komen. The movement started with the promise Nancy made to her sister, Susan, who passed away from breast cancer at a young age. The Susan G. Komen foundation has since become a trusted source of information and support for millions of people affected by breast cancer. They have funded over a billion dollars in research, provide financial aid and helpline support for patients, and advocate for women's health through public policy initiatives.
The Fight for Research and Knowledge
The Susan G. Komen foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. They invest heavily in cutting-edge research, second only to the US government. They have launched a patient-led registry called Share for Cures, aiming to gather information and insights from individuals who have had breast cancer. By democratizing research, working with top doctors and scientists, and focusing on understanding metastasis, the foundation hopes to make significant progress in finding a cure. They emphasize the importance of genetic testing, especially for individuals with a family history of breast cancer, and highlight the behavioral strategies of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including limited alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing sugar intake.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we sit down with the inspirational Paula Schneider, CEO of Susan G. Komen®, to explore her awe-inspiring journey through uncharted waters in both leadership and her personal battle against breast cancer. Paula exemplifies how true grit and relentless self-belief can overtake fears and redefine how you approach success in every aspect of life.
This rich conversation explores:
How Paula navigated a deadly breast cancer diagnosis and the power she found in accepting help
How she was brought in to execute one of the biggest corporate turnarounds at American Apparel
How she stays calm with (literal) fires burning all around her
Her unconventional path from starting as a costume design and theater major to becoming the CEO and president of Susan G. Komen®, one of the world’s leading nonprofits in the fight against breast cancer, with almost $1 billion in research funding
How to make decisions with imperfect information and Paula’s refreshing approach to leading through uncharted territory
Proactive cancer prevention, optimal screening times, and being your biggest health advocate
Paula doesn’t claim to have all the answers; she simply knows she can find them. Join us as Paula reshapes our understanding of success, demonstrating that it's less about what you know and more about trusting that you can face and conquer the hard things—no matter the odds.