Karen E. Knudsen, MBA PhD is CEO and Board Member of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), an entrepreneurial medical research organization advancing the next generation of immune-based therapies. Under her leadership, PICI accelerates discovery, clinical translation, and company formation, launching 17 biotech ventures that have raised over $4B to accelerate cancer cures. She also serves on the Boards of AstraZeneca, Paradigm Health, ExaiBio, and Research!America, and advises leading organizations including Transcarent, ArteraAI, Genentech, and multiple NCI-designated cancer centers. She is co-founder of Patient Agent, an AI-driven venture supporting patients and care teams in making faster, more personalized decisions. Previously, Dr. Knudsen served as CEO of the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN, and as Executive Vice President of Oncology Services for Jefferson Health, where she directed oncology strategy across a 16-hospital system and extensive outpatient network, while serving as Executive Director of the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her work has been recognized by Forbes, CNBC, and major scientific associations, and she is a member of the CNBC CEO Council, Wall Street Journal CEO Council, and Milken Institute Executive Circle.