Leadership
At Fred Hutch, we have a daring vision: a world that’s free of cancer. To make it happen, we are relying on the talents of more than 3,000 dedicated faculty and staff who work at the top of their game every day. From our president and division leaders to our Board of Trustees and Board of Ambassadors, meet the leaders who are guiding us to bigger, bolder breakthroughs.
Executive Vice Presidents | Senior Vice Presidents & Directors | Board of Trustees | Vice Presidents | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Board of Ambassadors
President and Director
Thomas J. Lynch Jr., M.D.
A world-renowned scientist, highly respected oncologist and successful cancer center leader, Dr. Lynch is motivated by the patients he’s treated to break down silos and free the scientific creativity that will spark new cures.
Fred Appelbaum, M.D.
Dr. Appelbaum is a leading expert in the research and treatment of blood cancers. Chief among his duties is leadership of Fred Hutch’s strategic research partnerships with the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.
Bruce Clurman, M.D., Ph.D.
In his tenure at Fred Hutch, Dr. Clurman has worked across disciplines as both a transplant physician and a basic scientist. In his current leadership role, he has been instrumental in the creation of our integrated research centers, which accelerate discovery through cross-disciplinary and cross-divisional collaboration.
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Niki Robinson, Ph.D.
Dr. Niki Robinson is responsible for organizational strategy, operational excellence, and the safety and wellbeing of our employees and community at Fred Hutch. She leads several teams that support and accelerate its science. These teams include Human Resources, Communications & Marketing, Strategic Planning, Government & Community Relations, Business Development, Internal Audit & Risk Management, Center Information Technology, Clinical Research, and Campus Facilities & Operations. As part of the Fred Hutch Director’s Office, Robinson leads the Hutch’s strategic planning efforts, working with departments and scientific divisions throughout the organization to ensure that the Hutch is positioned to achieve its mission and goals.
Chief Integration Officer
Steve Stadum, J.D.
Steve Stadum is the chief integration officer at Fred Hutch, leading a newly developed Integration Management Office. He works in close partnership with leadership from Fred Hutch, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and UW Medicine to complete the Oncology Restructure transaction and plan for Fred Hutch and SCCA integration. These integration efforts will include preparing the people, processes, policies and systems at Fred Hutch and SCCA as well as the clinical integration of cancer care at both the UW Medicine and SCCA locations.
Chief of Staff
Elizabeth Prescott, Ph.D.
Dr. Elizabeth Prescott, chief of staff for the Fred Hutch Director’s Office, facilitates information flow and decision-making through collaboration with both administrative and scientific partners throughout the Hutch. She also participates in the development of strategies and processes to advance key initiatives.
Garnet Anderson, Ph.D.
Public Health Sciences Division
In addition to leading our Public Health Sciences Division, Dr. Anderson is also the principal investigator of the Fred Hutch–based Women’s Health Initiative, a long-term nationwide research program that investigates the most frequent causes of death, disability and poor quality of life among postmenopausal women.
Sue Biggins, Ph.D.
Basic Sciences Division
Dr. Biggins studies one of biology’s most fundamental processes: how cells sort chromosomes, the long molecules in which DNA is packaged. Errors in chromosome sorting can contribute to cancer and other diseases. Dr. Biggins has served on numerous national scientific committees, including the Next Generation of Science committee of the National Academy of Science, which aims to improve science for early stage investigators in the country. She is currently a member of the Coalition of Life Sciences, a national alliance that fosters policies to promote research in the US.
Nancy E. Davidson, M.D.
Clinical Research Division
Dr. Davidson has several leadership roles within the Fred Hutch / University of Washington Cancer Consortium, building bridges across cancer research and treatment programs at Fred Hutch, UW, Seattle Children’s and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. She is a top opinion leader in the field of breast cancer biology and treatment.
Eric Holland, M.D., Ph.D.
Human Biology Division
Dr. Holland is an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and brain cancer researcher. He has spent his career working across disciplines to address the molecular basis of brain tumors and develop new treatment approaches. He also directs the Fred Hutch–based Seattle Translational Tumor Research, a multidisciplinary, multiorganizational effort to translate laboratory findings into precise, personalized treatment options for patients with solid tumors.
Julie McElrath, M.D., Ph.D.
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division
Dr. McElrath investigates the complex relationships between HIV and the immune system. Her research has been fundamental to our understanding of the virus that causes AIDS. She also serves as principal investigator and director of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network's Laboratory Program, which is based at Fred Hutch.
Julie Overbaugh, Ph.D
Education
In addition to leading the Office of Education & Training (OET), Dr. Overbaugh studies HIV. She is particularly interested in factors that influence HIV transmission. She has been involved in decades-long research studies in Kenya that focus on HIV transmission, from mother to infant and in sex workers.
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Office of Education & Training (OET)
Board of Trustees
Since its founding, Fred Hutch has been guided by the strong leadership of its board of trustees. The board, with appropriate delegation to its committees and officers, oversees Fred Hutch’s affairs. The responsibilities of the volunteer trustees include:
- Establishment of broad policies for Fred Hutch, including its mission, values and long-range strategies
- Overseeing implementation of those policies by Fred Hutch management
- Evaluation of the institutional effectiveness of Fred Hutch
- Review and approval of Fred Hutch’s strategic plan
- Approval of annual budgets and overall financial programs and policies, including oversight of management compensation
- Appointment and evaluation of the effectiveness of Fred Hutch’s chief executive officer
- Election of board officers and trustees
Kathy Surace-Smith, Chair
Kathy Surace-Smith, Chair
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Legal Affairs, NanoString Technologies Inc.
Leigh Morgan, Vice Chair
Leigh Morgan, Vice Chair
Chief Strategy and Operating Officer, Nia Tero
Sean Boyle, Treasurer
Sean Boyle, Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer, Wildlife Studios
Richard Anderson, Secretary
Richard Anderson, Secretary
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Washington Real Estate Holdings
Carl Behnke
Carl Behnke
President, REB Enterprises
Mike Clayville
Mike Clayville
Chief Revenue Officer, Stripe
Holly Dillon
Holly Dillon
Co-Founder, Heidisays.com
Mark Fleischauer
Mark Fleischauer
Chairman, JH Kelly Holdings LLC
Theresa Gillespie
Theresa Gillespie
Managing Director, Trilogy Partnership
Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham
Partner, Fenwick & West LLP
Chris Gregoire
Chris Gregoire
CEO, Challenge Seattle; Former Washington Governor
Robert Herbold
Robert Herbold
Director, Herbold Group LLC
Allan Jones
Allan Jones
President and CEO, Allen Institute
Philip Kent
Philip Kent
Media Executive
Connie Kravas
Connie Kravas
Former Senior Vice President for University of Washington Advancement and the president emeritus of the UW Foundation
Matt McIlwain
Matt McIlwain
Managing Director, Madrona Venture Group
Norman Metcalfe
Norman Metcalfe
Investor
Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella
Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Corporation
Paul Reed
Paul Reed
Retired Business Executive
Corsee Sanders
Corsee Sanders
Strategic Advisor
Pete Shimer
Pete Shimer
Chief Operating Officer, Deloitte
Bryan White
Bryan White
Founder, Sahsen Ventures LLC
Paula Reynolds, Trustee Emeritus
Paula Reynolds, Trustee Emeritus
President and CEO, PreferWest LLC
James Sinegal, Trustee Emeritus
James Sinegal, Trustee Emeritus
Co-Founder and Director, Costco Wholesale
David Browdy, MBA
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Paul Buckley, Ph.D.
Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Jodi Burke
Vice President, Human Resources
Marion Dorer, Ph.D., MBA
Vice President, Research Administration
Jennifer Griffith
Vice President, Government and Community Relations
Steven Haydon, J.D., LL.M.
Vice President and General Counsel
Hilary Hehman, M.S., J.D.
Vice President, Business Development
Kelly O’Brien
Vice President, Philanthropy
Kelly Patrick, MBA
Interim Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Kristi Stiffler, MPH
Vice President, Clinical Research
Jeff West
Vice President, Facilities & Campus Operations
The Board of Ambassadors is an appointed group of volunteers whose purpose is to support Fred Hutch and its mission of eliminating cancer as a cause of human suffering and death by serving as community ambassadors. Below are their specific responsibilities:
- Make an annual contribution commensurate with one’s ability to give
- Partner with Fred Hutch Philanthropy staff to identify, cultivate and/or secure Innovators Network, President’s Circle, and major-gift-level individual and corporate gifts
- Participate in individual and corporate prospect strategy meetings with Philanthropy staff
- Fill a friendship table at or participate in one signature fundraising event each year
- Actively participate in cultivation events through attendance, outreach, hosting or acting as an emcee
- Serve as an ambassador and advocate for Fred Hutch in the community
- Serve on one or more committees within the Board of Ambassadors or serve on Fred Hutch councils or advisory groups when called upon by Fred Hutch leadership
To learn more about the Board of Ambassadors, please contact Annual Giving at annualgiving@fredhutch.org or 206.667.4399.