Cover Story

Bringing change

Sophie Sureau starts every day with the mission of helping someone. Literally, each morning, she dedicates her day to a breast cancer survivor she knows. She says the survivor’s perseverance keeps her going as she leads Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio Affiliate.

There’s an obvious difference at the affiliate between the pre-Sophie days and now. When Sureau stepped in as executive director in July 2005, she brought transformation with her.

In her first year, she led a complete restructuring of the nonprofit that ranged from streamlining committees and eliminating duplicate roles to creating a clear mission and integrating functions with broader initiatives.

Though Sureau faced resistance from longtime volunteers, she brought everyone on board with an inclusive communication process that included surveys, input forums, retreats and involving committee leaders in presentations.

With a newly structured board and staff in place, she turned her attention to diversifying fund-raising. Her strategic approach included introducing new registration systems, pledge programs and sponsorship opportunities for the charity’s annual Race for the Cure. She also expanded the memorial program, created a corporate advisory board and spearheaded new fund-raising events targeting new audiences.

In the past four years, those efforts have nearly tripled the affiliate’s revenue. In 2005, they distributed $800,000 in grant funding, reaching about 12,000 women. By 2009, Sureau’s efforts helped provide $1.5 million to 25 agencies across northeastern Ohio, reaching 60,000 women.

That growth is echoed internally, as well. During Sureau’s reign, the company moved out of its one-room office to a bigger headquarters with room to grow.

Sureau supports that growth by staying close to her volunteers. During the year, she personally recruits, places and oversees the development of 10 to 20 leadership volunteers, from finance committee chairs to newsletter editors to race registration chairs. She developed a leadership model for selecting and engaging those volunteers. She also developed an internship program.

Sureau brings a strategic direction, a greater vision and a keener focus to the organization. Now, she often asks her staff and volunteers, “What does success look like?” to keep them focused on the goal of ending breast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care, and energizing science to find and deliver cures.

How to reach: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio Affiliate, (216) 292-2873 or www.komenneohio.org