American Cancer Society CEO to step down this year

American Cancer Society CEO Karen Knudsen is stepping down after more than three years at the helm.

Knudsen, who also leads the affiliated American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, will serve as a strategic adviser through early 2025 to help with the leadership transition. The organization plans to name an interim CEO by the end of the year and conduct a national search for a permanent CEO, according to a Friday news release.

Related: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute CEO to step down Oct. 1

A spokesperson for the cancer society declined to provide further details on the CEO search or exact dates for the upcoming transition.

Knudsen, an oncology researcher, was the American Cancer Society's first female CEO. She joined the organization in June 2021 after serving as executive vice president of oncology services and enterprise director for the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson Health.

During her tenure, she helped create a patient support program to handle logistics for cancer patients, expanded the society's investment arm BrightEdge and established a chief diversity officer role, the spokesperson said. Knudsen also helped launch a joint venture with Color Health for at-home cancer screenings, in addition to a partnership with the American Society of Clinical Oncology to improve access to cancer information, the spokesperson said.

Revenue from public support at the organization increased 8% to $738.2 million from 2021 to 2023, according to its annual reports.

The society said in the news release Knudsen is moving into the "next phase of her strategy" on cancer initiatives but did not provide further details.