Sharon Byers, who has served the American Cancer Society in a fundraising leadership role over the past year, will now take the helm as the group’s chief development and marketing officer, a newly expanded position.
Byers will ascertain brand consistency, oversee strategic alliances and monitor general revenue progress as the organization moves forward in its large-scale fight against cancer.
"The American Cancer Society's work and impact has never been more relevant than it is today," Byers said. "Marketing and strategic partnerships allow us to bring that relevance into the daily lives of people who care about cancer … have a greater impact against this disease."
Prior to joining ACS, Byers served as senior vice president of sports, entertainment and marketing alliances for the Coca-Cola Company’s North American division. Her integrated approach — comprising analysis, negotiation, sales and marketing — served the company by increasing its revenue and brand share.
Recognized by Sports Illustrated and numerous other industry media groups, Byers was named as one of the “50 Most Important People in Sports,” as well as one of the industry’s most influential women. With a finance degree from Alabama’s Auburn University, she is a C.P.A. and serves on several boards, including the Special Olympics of Atlanta.
"Sharon's experience in the for-profit sector brings a whole new mindset to how to we approach marketing, strategic alliances and fundraising," American Cancer Society CEO Gary Reedy said. "We want to build upon our proven legacy, but we also need to be more innovative and take more strategic risks in order to have greater impact. I have every confidence that Sharon Byers is the right person to lead those efforts."
