Aid organization ALSAC appoints Ike Anand as its new CEO, unveils $12.9 billion global plan for assisting children.
In a significant move, Ike Anand has been appointed as the President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organisation for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Anand, who has served as the interim CEO since March and as the Chief Operating Officer since 2020, is poised to lead ALSAC into a new era of innovation and success.
Anand's unique blend of for-profit business acumen and non-profit leadership makes him an ideal candidate for this role. His career trajectory includes a 15-year tenure in the for-profit sector, where he worked for Expedia Group and other businesses, honing his skills in business strategy, operations, investment opportunities, marketing strategy, analytics, and global strategy. However, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that personally impacted him and his family, underscoring the importance of mission-driven work and leading him to ALSAC.
In his role at ALSAC, Anand has been instrumental in redefining the organisation's strategic direction, supporting St. Jude's mission to provide pediatric cancer cures and treatments globally. He played a key role in developing ALSAC's six-year $12.9 billion plan aimed at expanding global efforts in pediatric cancer research and treatment. This vision aligns with his commitment to the St. Jude mission and his ability to drive growth and expansion initiatives.
Under Anand's leadership, ALSAC has experienced significant fundraising success. In 2024, the organisation raised over $2.5 billion, a testament to his strategic direction and commitment to St. Jude's mission. Anand's leadership has also been crucial in ALSAC's digital transformation, leveraging technology to enhance fundraising and operational efficiency.
Marlo Thomas, the national outreach director for St. Jude, has expressed her support for Anand's appointment, praising his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to St. Jude's mission. Dr. Frederick M. Azar, MD, chair of the ALSAC Board of Directors, echoed similar sentiments, expressing confidence in Anand's leadership.
Anand's appointment as the first South Asian and the seventh CEO of ALSAC in its 68-year history is a significant milestone. His expertise in building and leading global teams will undoubtedly be an asset in navigating ALSAC's global expansion efforts and managing a complex funding landscape.
Families of patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, thanks to the fundraising efforts spearheaded by Anand and ALSAC. These efforts have helped make breakthroughs in critical pediatric cancer research and care possible.
With Anand at the helm, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is poised to continue its global fight against childhood cancer, aiming to help the approximately 400,000 children around the world who develop cancer each year. The strategic plan launched by St. Jude in 2022, with a target of $12.9 billion over six years, is the largest such initiative in the organisation's history, and Anand's leadership will be crucial in ensuring its success.
- Anand's successful experience in business strategy, operations, investment opportunities, marketing strategy, analytics, and global strategy from his 15-year tenure in the for-profit sector will likely contribute to the innovative and successful direction of ALSAC, as he focuses on health-and-wellness missions like medical-conditions related to pediatric cancer.
- The record-breaking $2.5 billion fundraised by ALSAC in 2024 under Anand's leadership provides evidence of his ability to drive growth in the non-profit sector, especially in the context of finance, where he demonstrates a commitment to working towards a mission-driven organization.
- With his unique blend of for-profit business expertise and non-profit leadership, Anand's appointment as the President and CEO of ALSAC marks a significant milestone in the organization's history, as it aims to expand its global reach in the fight against childhood medical-conditions like cancer, ensuring the health and wellness of children around the world.
