This month we had the amazing opportunity to sit down with an inspiring leader in the non-profit sector, Rachel Eichem. As the Executive Director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Eichem has been able to positively impact those effected by metastatic breast cancer in the local community. Read below to learn more about the mission and impact of Susan G. Komen, as well as Eichem’s passion for serving others.
PPRG: Tell us a little bit about your journey working in the nonprofit sector throughout your career.
Rachel: I have worked in the nonprofit sector my entire life, starting when I was just 15 and my first job was teaching special needs horseback riding. My journey into fundraising has been a combination of wanting to help others within an organization whose mission that was important to me, and putting my outgoing personality to good use! I have been fortunate to gain experience in fundraising within private school and hospital settings, foundation work, and national affiliates. The diversity between them all has helped me grow professionally and personally.
PPRG: Having gone through this journey and now being a leader within the nonprofit sector, what is the biggest thing you have learned along the way? What advice would you give someone just beginning their career?
Rachel: What I have learned along this career journey is the importance of relationship building. So much of our interactions are transactional these days, or done from behind a screen. While remote work is a wonderful thing, nothing seems to replace the feeling of picking up the phone and having a conversation with someone. Or even better, taking the time to meet with them in person. I think it is incredibly important to find out what people are passionate about, what motivates them, and be able to explore ways that working with them and involving them in your organization will be fulfilling to them, helping them meet their philanthropic goals. I would tell anyone new to fundraising- don’t hide behind your screens. Get out there and meet with people. Build those relationships. They often take you far beyond a single donation or transaction.
PPRG: What inspired you to get involved with the Susan G. Komen Foundation?
Rachel: As I was looking for the next and hopefully final step in my career path, I wanted to work for an organization whose mission was meaningful to me and that I could fully invest myself in. When I found this role at Susan G. Komen, it immediately felt right to me. Both my mother and grandmother are breast cancer survivors, and I have known and lost others important to me in this fight. Working to raise funds for the important work being done by Komen, to keep it going and growing and expand on their current services, felt perfect to me. I am incredibly fortunate to have become a part of their team of true rockstars.
PPRG: Can you tell us a bit more about the impactful mission of the Susan G. Komen Foundation?
Rachel: Susan G Komen is the only organization in the world with a comprehensive approach to fighting breast cancer. We drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, advocate for patients, improve the patient’s experience, overcome barriers to care and expand our reach through transformational partnerships. We offer a wealth of resources- including a helpline, Treatment Assistance Program and educational tools- to help breast cancer patients every step of the way.
PPRG: The annual Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk is coming up on May 18 at the Navy Yard Marine Parade Grounds. What can you tell us about this event?
Rachel: Our team is thrilled to be bringing the More Than Pink Walk back to Philadelphia! Our participants and supporters can look forward to a beautiful location, live music from one of the most wonderful Mummer’s bands, heart touching moments from survivors sharing their stories, a lively and upbeat atmosphere, and a fantastic 3.1 mile walk with thousands of people who can relate to one another’s journeys. It promises to be an inspiring day, full of hope.
PPRG: How do the funds raised at this year’s Walk directly support local Philadelphia breast cancer patients and their families?
Rachel: Komen is supporting the research of several teams right here in the Philadelphia region. Among them are researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson, Temple Medicine and Penn Medicine, to name a few. Patients and their Families locally, nationally and globally benefit from the shared research of all of our funded teams. Additionally, our patient advocacy, helpline that includes patient navigation support and financial assistance programs are active right here in the Delaware Valley every day.
PPRG: What have you found to be the most special part about the Philadelphia community when it comes to your work in nonprofits?
Rachel: I was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. One of the things I find most appealing is the genuineness of the people. While Philadelphia certainly has a bit of a reputation- and as a sports fan I can understand why- there is this “how can I help you? and “What do you need” neighborly feel that is carried throughout the city. Working for nonprofits, we find ourselves needing support from our communities, be it as volunteers, donors, thought partners, and more. I find that the people of Philadelphia for the most part are always ready to lean in, and lend a hand. It makes this work a pleasure and an honor. The “we are one” mentality is very special indeed.
PPRG: Are there any new projects or breakthroughs Komen’s working on this year that you’re really excited about?
Rachel: While I am still fairly new to Komen, I am learning more every day. I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on an organization wide virtual Town Hall, where we were educated on the work being done to study the increase in breast cancer among young women. I had read a bit about this on my own, but knowing that Komen clearly sees it as an issue, and has set about making sure we are funding top notch research addressing the cause and possible solutions is not only reassuring, but awe inspiring. As trite as it may sound, I feel very fortunate to be part of an organization like this.
The impact of the Susan G. Komen Foundation on the local community will only continue to grow with the work of Eichem and passion she has for the Foundation’s mission and goals. To learn more about the Susan G. Komen Foundation and their impact on those effected by metastatic breast cancer in the local community, visit komen.org.
