Dr. Judy Salerno is stepping down as President and CEO of Susan G. Komen effective Dec. 15, 2016.
Komen's general counsel, Ellen Wilmott will step into the role on an interim basis. Salerno will assume the role of senior advisor during the transition period.
Salerno will pursue new opportunities, the Dallas-based breast cancer research organization said in a press release.
“The Board of Directors is extremely grateful for Judy's leadership and wishes to thank her for her outstanding tenure, which sets a new strategic direction for the organization, its enhanced reputation, and reaffirmed its critical leadership in the battle to put an end to breast cancer,” said Connie O'Neill, Komen's board chair.
Salerno, a Harvard-educated physician with a graduate degree in public health, took over Komen's leadership after the organization in 2012 faced criticism after some of its regional affiliates stopped donating Planned Parenthood.
Komen was founded in 1982 and since then has funded more than $920 million in research and provided more than $2 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and support programs.
