Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, MBA PhD, is CEO of both the American Cancer Society (ACS, a 501c3) and its advocacy affiliate ACS CAN (a 501c4). An internationally recognized oncology leader and healthcare executive, Dr. Knudsen guides both organizations toward the goal of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. Her expertise in merger and acquisition was leveraged to successfully transform and grow ACS from a federated model into a thriving single enterprise. Prior to leading ACS, Dr. Knudsen was the EVP of Oncology Services for Jefferson Health and the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, leading oncology for a then 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 in leadership roles 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 for her contributions to cancer research and as a result of her executive healthcare leadership. She was recently honored by Forbes as one of “50 over 50” Women of Impact, by a CNBC as a “Changemaker”, and by QVC as a "Quintessential Q50”. She is an active member of the Milken Institute Executive Circle.