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Accelerating Sustainable Solutions for a Brighter Future

Read our 2023 Impact report

Article

Five Questions for Alice Pomponio, Managing Director, BrightEdge and VP, Innovation & Impact Investing at the American Cancer Society

February 8, 2024

About Us

Investing in Innovation for Three-dimensional Impact

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BrightEdge operates at the intersection of investment and innovation to define and catalyze scientific, social, and sustainable impact across the continuum of cancer care. As the innovation and impact investment arm of the American Cancer Society (ACS's), we leverage our legacy in cancer research and patient support to identify and thoughtfully invest in actionable and scalable solutions that address the most critical areas of unmet need and generate financial returns to bolster and sustain ACS’s lifesaving work for decades to come.

We are not a typical investor. Given our distinct vantage and position, we are poised to lead and shape the future of cancer innovation and impact investing.

THE ESSENCE OF BRIGHTEDGE

How Is BrightEdge Helping ACS End Cancer as We Know It, for Everyone?

Learn more about our work

We know the challenges and can define unmet need to a degree others cannot.

We identify promising solutions to yield positive returns while making a positive impact.

We’re equipped to navigate, connect, and facilitate across a complex health care landscape.

Together, we can accelerate innovation to address cancer from every angle.

Our people

Answering the Call to Serve People with Cancer

BrightEdge is led by a world-class team of experienced investors, operators, and entrepreneurs who are all personally dedicated to realizing ACS’s vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Our team is purpose-built to execute BrightEdge’s integrated operating model across innovation, investment, and impact, with world-leading internal and external advisors to support mission alignment and bolster scientific and medical expertise.

Our Team
ACS Impact Committee
External Scientific Advisory Council

Kael Reicin,MBA

CFO, American Cancer Society

Alice L. Pomponio,MPP

Managing Director

Farnaz Bakhshi,PhD

Director, Innovation

Amy Berg

Principal, Philanthropy

Eunice Chapon,JD

Director, Impact

Steve Curtis,PhD

Senior Director, New Ventures

Calum Daly

Investment Fund and Business Analyst

Lucas de Breed,PhD, MBA

Director, Investments

Barbra Kocsis,MBA, MA

Director, Operations

Nate Macht,MBA

Investment and Innovation Senior Analyst

Ana Rojas

Executive Assistant

Bianca Scimemi

Entrepreneurs Program Manager

Michka Sharpe,PhD

Senior Associate

Nishant Uppal,MD, MPA

Healthcare Impact Consultant

Jess Miciak,PhD

Associate

Carolyn Simmons

Operations and Events Coordinator

Josh Zail

Impact Program Manager

Ryan Margolis,PhD

Texas Accelerator Program Manager

Our Impact

Catalyzing Scientific, Social, and Sustainable Impact

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BrightEdge channels the historical and operational expertise of the American Cancer Society to identify the most impactful scientific discoveries, promising entrepreneurs, and emerging companies poised to change the landscape of cancer care.

We provide financial investment and strategic support directly to these entrepreneurs and companies to drive three-dimensional impact and sustain ACS’s lifesaving work by:

Advancing Science

We seek to advance scientific discovery and promote patient-centric, rational, and ethical product design.

Reducing Disparities

We work with partners across the investment and innovation ecosystems to increase private investment toward technology-enabled solutions that address health disparities and support ACS’s commitment to advancing health equity.

Building Sustainability

We invest for and drive mission through strategic investment in patient-centric innovation, while generating financial returns that can be reinvested.

Learn more about how we drive impact with our innovation programs and investments.

Explore our impact

Find out how you can support this work.

Become a donor

Latest News and Social

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American Cancer Society BrightEdge Annual Report Reveals Impact of $43 Million Deployed to Advance Innovation and Healthcare Access

October 28, 2024

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Pegasus Park Hosts American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Golden Ticket Pitch Competition - Focus Daily News

October 24, 2024

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BrightEdge Roundtable and White Paper

May 21, 2024

View all news and events

How to support

Help us Build Brighter

Become a part of BrightEdge and help strengthen our ability to make a transformative impact by making a tax-deductible donation. With your help, we invest directly into the companies and entrepreneurs that are changing the landscape of cancer care, while simultaneously creating a long-term, sustainable revenue stream for ACS initiatives that will improve the lives of millions of people facing cancer and their families.

BrightEdge would like to thank our Founders Circle MembersGodard and Stacy AbelDr. Stephen Klasko and Colleen WyseLyda Hill PhilanthropiesResonance PhilanthropiesWoodNext FoundationAnonymous (3)

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Contact Us

Reach out to learn more about becoming an impact donor, how other venture funds can invest alongside BrightEdge, or how BrightEdge selects oncology startups for its portfolio.