Today on Nonprofits Today, we’re joined by Paula Schneider, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer organization. From once working alongside Kanye West in the fashion world to now leading a mission to end breast cancer forever, Paula’s story is a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose and heart.

A breast cancer survivor who also lost her mother to the disease, Paula brings unmatched clarity, compassion, and corporate strategy to the nonprofit sector. In this episode, she opens up about:

• Her unexpected leap from fashion CEO to nonprofit changemaker
• How surviving cancer reshaped her leadership
• The bold transformation she’s led at Komen—structurally, culturally, and technologically
• Why imposter syndrome is a myth, and what really drives confident leadership
• Her upcoming children’s book, Love Stays Strong, and how personal healing fuels public mission

Paula’s mantra is simple: “Life is not only about what you accomplish, but what you help others achieve along the way.” This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and legacy leadership.

Listen in to hear:

✔ Jetsons-level innovation in a Flintstones healthcare system

✔ What it means to “shut it down”—not in failure, but in victory

✔ Her advice for nonprofit leaders scaling mission-driven impact

✔ And why you only need to be smart enough to lead the band

Connect with Paula & Susan G. Komen:

Website: https://www.komen.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanGKomen

X: https://x.com/SusanGKomen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangkomen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/susangkomen/mycompany/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/komenforthecure

Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/770842/love-stays-strong-by-paula-schneider-illustrated-by-nicole-wong/

Cross-Promo: Also, check out our flagship podcast, No Labels No Limits, where we dig even deeper into purpose-driven leadership and personal transformation.

Listen here: http://www.nolabelsnolimitspodcast.com/

Watch on YouTube: @NoLabelsNoLimitspodcast

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐇:

Website: https://sarahboxx.com/

Nonprofits Today: https://shows.acast.com/nonprofits-today

No Labels No Limits: http://www.nolabelsnolimitspodcast.com/

X: @SarahBoxx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahboxxsherpa/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.