Karen Knudsen

Karen Knudsen, PhD, is CEO of the Parker Institute, a distinctive entrepreneurial model for developing breakthrough cancer therapies and accelerating their delivery to patients. The Parker Institute funds collaborative research across a network of 14 Parker Institutes and turns the most promising discoveries into licensed technologies and new companies. The 17 companies founded or backed by the Parker Institute have raised more than $4 billion. 

As the immediate past CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and ACS Cancer Action Network, Knudsen unified operations and directed record investments in research and patient services. Prior roles include executive vice president of oncology at Jefferson Health and executive director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Board service includes AstraZeneca, 3T Biosciences, Georgiamune, Paradigm Health, and Network Bio. Advisory roles include Color Health, Oncology Ventures, Next Ventures, and Transcarent, along with board observer service for ArteraAI. 

An internationally recognized oncology leader, Knudsen made discoveries in prostate cancer that helped change clinical practice. National leadership includes service as president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes, board director of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and member of the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors. Honors include recognition from Forbes, CNBC, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the AACR. Knudsen is a member of the CNBC CEO Council and the Milken Institute Executive Circle.