We are proud to welcome three trusted leaders to our national Board of Directors – each with a long history of supporting CureSearch and advancing our mission. Their combined expertise across healthcare, life sciences, technology and governance, strengthens our ability to accelerate progress for children with cancer. Their leadership will ensure that promising discoveries move more quickly from the lab to the children and families who need them most.
Julianne Averill
Julianne Averill is a healthcare AI CFO/CBO, board director, and strategic advisor with more than 20 years of experience supporting science-driven organizations across the life sciences, biotech, and digital health ecosystem. She is a Managing Director at Danforth Health, where she partners with leadership teams and boards to help translate complex science into scalable, patient-impacting solutions.
Julianne serves on multiple nonprofit and corporate boards and is deeply committed to volunteer leadership that advances rigorous research, strong governance, and long-term impact for patients and families. Her work is rooted in supporting the scientists, clinicians, and organizations working to turn discovery into meaningful outcomes.
“Being part of the CureSearch Board is incredibly meaningful to me. It’s a chance to apply my healthcare and governance experience in service of children and families, and to support research that can truly change lives.”
Jeffrey Skolnik, M.D.
Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik is Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at Inovio, where he leads programs focused on immuno-oncology DNA medicines. A trained pediatric hematologist-oncologist, Dr. Skolnik has held senior leadership roles in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at AstraZeneca, GSK, and TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals. He currently serves as an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Skolnik has been an integral part of CureSearch for more than nine years and serves as Chair of our Industry Advisory Council (IAC). In this role, he has helped guide the evaluation of research proposals and ensure that CureSearch-funded projects are not only scientifically rigorous, but positioned to advance into the clinic and ultimately reach patients.
“CureSearch is uniquely positioned to lead the pediatric cancer drug development not-for-profit space. Our Scientific Advisory Council, combined with the Industry Advisory Council, ensures a robust, multi-faceted review of all research projects and allows us to support only the best of the best.”
His long-standing commitment to pediatric oncology and drug development earned him the CureSearch 2025 Scientific Visionary Award -a reflection of his dedication to advancing innovative treatments for children with cancer in better, faster ways.
Mike Crowe
Mike Crowe is a technology industry board member and advisor, and the retired Chief Information Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company, where he spent 34 years, including nine as CIO. He currently serves as an independent board director for The New York Independent System Operator, Specright, and Uncountable, and advises multiple technology and AI-focused organizations as well as academic institutions.
Mike and his family founded Team Steve: The Steven Crowe Legacy Fund at CureSearch in early 2023, honoring their late son, Steven. His service on our Board reflects both professional expertise and a deeply personal commitment to our mission.
“I am honored to be joining the CureSearch Board of Directors, because the bold CureSearch purpose directly aligns with my family’s goal to ensure no child and no family ever again has to endure the pain and loss we have experienced.”
We are proud to welcome Ms. Averill, Dr. Skolnik, and Mr. Crowe to our Board of Directors. Their leadership and dedication will help strengthen our work and accelerate progress toward a future where every child with cancer has access to better treatments, faster.
