Kathy Giusti:
From Fearless Founder to Trusted Voice for Millions
Kathy Giusti was 37 years old, married, and at the peak of her career in the pharmaceutical industry when her life changed overnight. With an 18-month-old daughter, Nicole, at home, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare and incurable blood cancer with a median survival of just three years at the time. Determined not to let the disease define her, she fought through treatment, continued her career, and went on to have another child, David.
Kathy has spent nearly three decades transforming the way patients live with—and fight—cancer. A two-time cancer survivor, healthcare entrepreneur, and former Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, she is best known as the founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), one of the most innovative disease-focused research organizations in the world. Now, as the author of Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken System and a nationally recognized advocate for patient empowerment, Kathy continues her mission: to give every patient a fighting chance.
“I’ve known Kathy as a vulnerable patient, fierce leader, and inspiration for scores of other patients. She’s broken through every barrier. Based on lessons from her own experiences, she provides a clear roadmap and actionable playbook for beating cancer.”
- Kenneth Anderson , MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Founded the MMRF: Built a Model for Change
In 1998, shortly after her diagnosis, Kathy built the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) alongside her twin sister, Karen Andrews. Together, they crafted a new kind of research foundation—one driven by urgency, transparency, data-sharing, and collaboration.
Their personal mission sparked a global movement. The MMRF has raised over $600 million to accelerate discovery and partnered with leaders in pharma, academia, and biotech to create a system that prioritized speed and patient outcomes. Kathy led the development of pioneering platforms such as CoMMpass, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), Right Track, and the Myeloma Investment Fund, all aimed at delivering faster, more personalized care.
Under her leadership, the MMRF helped bring over 15 FDA-approved treatments to market, tripled survival rates, and established a scalable model that has been adopted by other cancer organizations worldwide. Kathy continues to play an active role as a Board Member of the MMRF, ensuring the work remains focused on innovation, speed, and impact.
Advanced the Mission at Harvard Business School
As a Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, Kathy co-led the Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator, a national initiative focused on scaling successful models across cancer research and care.
She convened leaders from across the ecosystem—nonprofits, pharma, tech, payers, and patients—to advance more effective strategies for clinical trials, venture philanthropy, and data integration. Kathy also taught in Executive Education, mentored global healthcare leaders, and published in leading journals such as Harvard Business Review, including “What it Takes to Run a Disease Foundation” and “Reducing Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes”.
Recognition and Media
Kathy’s groundbreaking work has earned national and global recognition. She has been named to the TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people, recognized by Fortune as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, and most recently honored by Forbes as one of its 50 Over 50.
She has been featured across virtually every major media outlet, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CBS News, NPR, Today, and CNN. Her leadership has also been profiled in top business and healthcare publications for her innovative approach to patient-driven progress.
Kathy has also worked with three U.S. Presidents—contributing her leadership and insight to national cancer initiatives that have helped shape the direction of cancer research and care in America.
Wrote the Roadmap for Patients:
Fatal to Fearless
Inspired by decades of patient interaction, Kathy authored Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken System. The book, part memoir and part action plan, equips patients and caregivers with practical tools for navigating complex diagnoses, building care teams, and making empowered decisions.
The foreword was written by Katie Couric, underscoring the importance and reach of Kathy’s voice in the world of cancer care and survivorship. She shares the book’s resources and lessons freely through her website, LinkedIn, and Instagram, providing thoughtful guidance to patients, families, and advocates alike.
Pursuing Progress for Patients Today
Today, Kathy is a trusted and nationally recognized voice for patients and caregivers. She speaks directly to individuals through social media, webinars, and public forums—offering clear, compassionate insights rooted in personal experience and professional expertise.
She is also a sought-after keynote speaker and moderator, frequently delivering addresses and participating in fireside chats for Fortune 500 companies and national medical meetings. Recent speaking engagements have included Johnson & Johnson, Marriott, and major healthcare conferences such as AHIP.
In parallel, Kathy serves in advisory roles for organizations focused on meeting the needs of patients, including the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and Thyme Care. In every setting, her goal remains the same: to ensure that the voices of patients are heard—and that the systems designed to support them are shaped with empathy, urgency, and results.
Kathy shares her thoughts, information and knowledge daily through thoughtful, well-researched content.