At Pinky Swear Foundation, we are lucky to have a community of supporters dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families financially. Behind the scenes, there is a key group of people on our Board of Directors. These folks commit their time and talents to push Pinky Swear toward the vision of saying ‘yes’ to every family facing childhood cancer.
While searching for a nonprofit board where he could truly make a difference, Chuck Swensson was introduced to Pinky Swear Foundation. After meeting the team and hearing their passion for helping kids with cancer, he knew he had found the perfect place to give back.
In his role as Growth Committee chair, Chuck leverages his professional background as Chief Marketing Officer at Optum with his expertise in growth and marketing strategies, leadership development, and business management to build greater Pinky Swear awareness and expand the community of people who care. Read on to learn more about Chuck and why he chose to share his talents with Pinky Swear Foundation!
Q: What drew you to Pinky Swear Foundation?
A: I was really moved by how Pinky Swear supports kids with cancer and their families. My desire was to be an active working board member - I wanted to roll up my sleeves and help make a difference.
Q: There are a lot of organizations that provide cancer support. What about Pinky Swear’s mission stands out to you?
A: Pinky Swear's mission is unique because it focuses on the whole family, not just the medical side. They bring hope, joy, and support to families during tough times. That really stands out to me.
Q: What do each of the Pinky Swear values (Compassion, Collaboration, Celebration) mean to you?
A: Compassion is about truly caring for these families. Collaboration means working together to make a bigger impact. Celebration is all about creating bright moments for the kids and their families.
A: As a new board member, I'm excited to work with the growth and development staff and the growth committee. We're focusing on finding more data-driven, mature ways to support scalable, sustainable funding efforts. This will help us support more families for years to come.
Q: What talents do you bring to the Pinky Swear Foundation Board of Directors?
A: I bring marketing and strategic planning skills to the table, which help us create effective campaigns and reach more people. I'm also passionate about building relationships and working with diverse groups.
Q: What have you learned during your time on the Pinky Swear Board of Directors?
A: I've learned the importance of empathy and listening to the needs of families. It's also taught me the power of community and teamwork in making a positive change. At the beginning of every meeting, we individually read letters aloud from families we’ve impacted – hearing it come from your own voice is moving.
Q: What are your hopes for Pinky Swear Foundation in the childhood cancer space?
A: I hope Pinky Swear continues to grow and support even more families. I want us to be a leading voice in advocating for these families and improving their quality of life in the moments that matter the most.
Q: If there is one thing you want people to know about Pinky Swear Foundation, what would it be?
A: Pinky Swear is dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of kids with cancer and their families. The staff and board are impassioned for the mission, and the programming is straightforward but powerful – we impact lives in the moment of pain and concern and bring a touch of joy.