On this episode, we are speaking with Donna James. Donna is well-known for her pioneering spirit, leadership in the community, and excellence in executive roles. Roughly six years ago, however, she earned a new distinction: triple-negative breast cancer survivor.

Please do not forget to visit www.aacr.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together we can make progress in the fight against cancer and bring hope to those who need it most. 

Please don't forget, cancer research saves lives.

For more information visit the AACR and our podcast here: https://www.aacr.org/get-involved/believe-in-progress-an-aacr-foundation-podcast/

This podcast was produced by the awesome people at CollegeCast LLC. Visit www.collegecastpodcasts.com for more information, or to check out our amazing podcasts.

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Donna A. James is a trusted resource and advisor to leaders in the public and private sector, ranging from entrepreneurs to C‐suite executives of Fortune 500 companies.

As the managing director of Lardon & Associates, LLC, Donna’s expertise includes corporate governance, business strategy and development, human capital management, financial and risk management and leadership development. 

She serves on the board of directors for public companies Victoria’s Secret, The Hartford, American Electric Power and the private company Xponance. Ms. James is chairwoman of the board for Victoria’s Secret & Co. She is a past board member of Boston Scientific, L Brands, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Time Warner Cable, Coca‐Cola Enterprises, Inc., Intimate Brands and CNO Financial Group.

In her community, Ms. James is the co‐founder and former board chair of the Center for Healthy Families, a non‐profit focused on transforming the lives of pregnant and parenting teens and their children and Co‐Executive Director for the African American Leadership Academy. She is on the board of Trustees for Ohio Health hospital system in central Ohio.

Two causes have a more personal impact for Donna. Victoria’s Secret’s commitment to cancer research, including funding research into women’s cancers through a partnership with Pelotonia, and the development of the company’s first mastectomy bra.

In 2017, Donna James faced a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer after finding a lump during a self-exam. Though it was caught early, it was an aggressive triple-negative cancer, so she opted for a double mastectomy.

Chemotherapy followed the surgery, and she remains on a medication regimen. So when Victoria’s Secret came up with a mastectomy bra, Donna was one of the first people to place her order online.

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This is the Believe in Progress podcast hosted by the AACR Foundation and featuring Donna James.

Join us on this journey of hope and progress. Subscribe to Believe in Progress, the AACR Foundation's podcast, today, and be inspired by the incredible stories of those who have faced cancer with strength and resilience, and the medical professionals who are working to find new treatments and ultimately a cure.

Please do not forget to visit www.aacr.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together we can make progress in the fight against cancer and bring hope to those who need it most. 

Please don't forget, cancer research saves lives.

For more information visit the AACR and our podcast here: https://www.aacr.org/get-involved/believe-in-progress-an-aacr-foundation-podcast/

This podcast was produced by the awesome people at CollegeCast LLC. Visit www.collegecastpodcasts.com for more information, or to check out our amazing podcasts.