Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
Thursday
April 20, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Imagine a day when cancer is treated with something as simple as a Z-Pac. Or a day when cancer is preventable through immunization. Or, better yet, a day when we can declare that cancer has been eradicated. While it might seem unimaginable, with the ever-accelerating advancements in technology, artificial technology, etc., such dreams may become a reality in the not too distant future. And it all starts with RESEARCH.
Since 1970, the Rotary Club of Houston has proudly supported cancer research through the Rotary Lombardi Award. The 49th RLA was held on December 7, 2022 and this week we will be presenting checks to the American Cancer Society and MD Anderson. We are pleased to have Jenny Todd, Senior Executive Director of the American Cancer Society, Houston; Emily Koch, Associate Director, Leadership Giving and Philanthropy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Nicholas Navin, Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center joining us as representatives of these great organizations. Jenny and Emily will be updating us on their fundraising efforts and how the donations from the RLA and other contributors support cancer research.
Please join us on Thursday, April 20 as we celebrate a successful 49th RLA and turn the page as we focus our collective energies to make the 50th Rotary Lombardi Award the most successful fundraiser we’ve ever had.
BIOS
Jenny Todd
Senior Executive Director, Houston
American Cancer Society
Jenny Todd, Senior Executive Director for the American Cancer Society, is responsible for the financial performance of the Houston market and manages a team of development staff in the execution of a comprehensive revenue strategy including corporate engagement, network fundraising and special events. This includes the iconic Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball which just raised a record breaking $2.5 million in 2022.
Jenny is a highly creative and dynamic results-driven and resourceful Development professional with a wide array of expertise including her proven success producing and executing major events with over twenty years’ Development and project management experience. Jenny joined the American Cancer Society in 2017 after a successful career at March of Dimes and Easter Seals of Greater Houston.
A native Houstonian, Jenny Todd is an eighth generation Texan, a graduate of Texas State University and resides in Houston with her husband, Matthew; and their three boys Collin, Ethan, and Luke. When not working, Jenny enjoys spending time at home with her family, hosting friends for dinner, live country music, and volunteering with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
Emily Koch
Associate Director of Leadership Giving in Philanthropy
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Emily Koch is Associate Director of Leadership Giving in Philanthropy at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She works with local and national individuals and organizations to raise funds for the ground-breaking cancer research taking place at MD Anderson.
Dr. Nicholas Navin, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Biology
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Nicholas Navin, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Bioinformatics. He is a faculty member at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Navin is also the Director of the CPRIT Single Cell Genomic Center (Single Core) and the Co-Director of the Advanced Technology Genomics Core (ATGC) at MD Anderson. Currently holding the Grady Saunders Distinguished Professorship in Genetics, Dr. Navin has won various prestigious awards such as the AAAS Fellow Award, the AACR Breakthrough in Basic Cancer Research Award, the Blavatnik Finalist Award, the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovator, the AAAS Wachtel Prize and the Living Legend Award. Prior to joining MD Anderson, he pioneered the development of single-cell DNA sequencing technology, which shows how cancer progresses. He joined MD Anderson to translate his research to the clinic to help patients.