From Scientist to Science Policy Leader: A Journey of Impact and Transformation!
In a world that often emphasizes personal achievement and success, there are individuals who choose a different path—one of selflessness, compassion, and a lifelong dedication to serving others. These exceptional individuals are driven by a profound desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, and their journey is a testament to the transformative power of giving back to the community.
Born in South Africa during the era of apartheid, Dr. Catharine Young’s life journey has been defined by witnessing historical moments of transformation and a deep desire to create a positive impact on inequitable systems. Today, as the Executive Director of the SHEPHERD Foundation, she is at the forefront of pioneering change in the field of rare cancer treatment.
Dr. Young’s passion for science and its potential to drive meaningful change led her to pursue a career as a trained scientist. Armed with her scientific expertise, she aspired to contribute to the betterment of society and the lives of its people. However, her ambition extended beyond the confines of a laboratory. Driven by the desire to apply her skills to global challenges, she transitioned into the realm of science policy.
Her journey in science policy began as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow, where she was placed in the Department of Defense Chemical Biological and Nuclear Warfare division during the Ebola outbreak. This experience allowed her to witness the power of science in addressing critical public health challenges. Subsequently, she served as the Senior Science and Innovation Advisor for the British Embassy and then as the Senior Director of Science Policy at the Biden Cancer Initiative. Her roles in these prestigious organizations enabled her to contribute to critical initiatives that impact lives on a larger scale.
However, Dr. Young’s true calling awaited her at the SHEPHERD Foundation. As the Executive Director of this non-profit organization, she found the perfect platform to challenge barriers in the healthcare system and accelerate treatments for rare cancers. Embracing her passion for creating positive change, Dr. Young now leads a team dedicated to transforming the rare cancer system.
Her experience growing up in South Africa during apartheid and witnessing its abolishment with Nelson Mandela’s election profoundly influenced her outlook on life and shaped her commitment to creating a fairer and more equitable world. This dedication to dismantling inequitable systems is evident in her work at the SHEPHERD Foundation, where she strives to ensure that every patient, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the best possible care.
Below are the highlights of the interview!
Embracing Challenges and Learning from Failures
For Catharine, success goes beyond merely achieving specific objectives, though she acknowledges that setting concrete goals is essential for guiding her work. Instead, she views success as a reflection of how she approaches challenges and overcomes barriers, as well as the invaluable lessons learned along the way. It is about her dedication to providing the necessary support for her team, her willingness to adapt and stay open-minded in the face of challenges, her ability to pivot swiftly when needed, and her readiness to learn from failures.
According to Catharine, success manifests in various forms, not solely in the attainment of tangible accomplishments. She understands that the journey itself is significant and that true success lies in how she navigates through the trials and tribulations, continuously growing and evolving in the process. Emphasizing the importance of failures, Catharine believes that they often offer more profound and enlightening lessons than successes. Every setback becomes an opportunity for learning, growth, and resilience.
Journey to Leadership
Catharine’s career has been a journey filled with diverse experiences and rewarding challenges. While she never set out with the specific intention of leading an organization, each step along her professional path has equipped her with essential lessons and skill sets, paving the way for her current role. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges that every opportunity has been instrumental in shaping her into the leader she is today.
Through various career experiences, Catharine has honed her leadership abilities, embracing new challenges as they arise. Rather than allowing fear to hold her back, she chose to step out of her comfort zone and seize opportunities, knowing that they would come with a learning curve. Embracing the possibility of making mistakes and learning valuable lessons, she has been able to tap into her true potential and grow into a confident and capable leader.
Catharine emphasizes the importance of overcoming self-doubt and second-guessing when facing new career moves. By acknowledging that growth often comes with challenges and learning curves, she encourages others to step into leadership roles and embrace their full potential. For Catharine, leadership is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey of personal and professional development.
Her career trajectory serves as an inspiring example of how taking calculated risks and embracing learning opportunities can lead to fulfilling leadership roles. By sharing her experiences and insights, Catharine aims to motivate others to embrace new paths, overcome fears, and unlock their leadership potential. Through her journey, she proves that continuous growth and the pursuit of one’s potential are key elements of a successful and fulfilling career.
Perspective on Growth
Throughout her career journey, Catharine has come to understand that obstacles are an inevitable aspect of life, both personally and professionally. Instead of being discouraged by them, she has learned to view challenges as valuable opportunities for learning and growth. For Catharine, it is not the presence of challenges that defines one’s journey but rather how they are perceived and addressed.
Rather than seeing obstacles as barriers that hold her back, Catharine chooses to embrace them as opportunities for improvement and development. Challenges serve as catalysts for learning, highlighting weak points in strategies and prompting the exploration of uncharted territories. By confronting challenges head-on, Catharine has honed her problem-solving skills and gained new perspectives that contribute to her growth as both a leader and an individual.
To Catharine, navigating through challenges is an integral part of progress. It fuels the drive toward finding sustainable solutions and propels personal growth. With each challenge she faces, she gains insights and knowledge that empower her to move forward with confidence.
Catharine’s outlook exemplifies resilience and a proactive mindset. She encourages others to adopt a similar approach, recognizing that challenges are not hindrances but stepping stones on the path to success. By embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, Catharine demonstrates the power of a positive perspective in achieving sustainable solutions and personal development.
Advocating for Equitable Healthcare
The SHEPHERD Foundation is driven by a profound mission to establish an equitable healthcare system that serves all patients, particularly those battling rare forms of cancer. The alarming fact that 380 out of 400 known cancer types are classified as rare underscores the urgency of their work. Sadly, many patients with rare cancers often find themselves devoid of the treatments, resources, and support they so rightfully deserve.
With an unwavering commitment, the SHEPHERD Foundation is spearheading a global grassroots movement that unites and organizes efforts to empower all patients. Their objective is to ensure that every patient, regardless of their diagnosis, has access to essential resources, tools, and funds. A key aspect of their mission is to provide patients with equitable access to accurate information, unwavering support, and tailored treatment options that cater to their unique diseases and experiences.
By fostering a collective voice among rare cancer patients and their families, the foundation strives to advocate for a better healthcare system that accommodates the needs of every individual. Through their efforts, they aim to create a future where all patients can live life to the fullest, unburdened by the inequalities that currently hinder access to essential healthcare resources.
Embracing Diversity and Impact
Catharine, at the helm of the SHEPHERD Foundation, relishes the dynamic and ever-changing nature of her job. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, keeping her engaged and motivated. As a part of a lean yet driven team, she actively contributes to decision-making across various aspects of the organization, from branding and operations to strategy, writing, and fundraising. The diversity of responsibilities makes every moment exhilarating and fulfilling.
Relationship building holds a special place in Catharine’s heart, as she recognizes its significance in her advocacy work. Establishing strong connections with major stakeholders within the oncology space and the patient community is paramount. Building coalitions and forming alliances across philanthropy, government, industry, and academia is crucial for advocating effectively and driving meaningful change. Catharine acknowledges that collaboration between sectors is essential, as each complements and reinforces the other in their shared mission.
Catharine’s passion for her role is evident in her commitment to ensuring that all cancer patients, especially those facing rare forms, receive equal access to resources and support. Guided by a vision of an equitable healthcare system, Catharine’s work at the SHEPHERD Foundation embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and impact. Each day, she embraces the challenge of making a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families, knowing that her efforts are instrumental in shaping a better future for all.
Striking a Balance
In the advocacy field, where the urgency to serve patients is ever-present, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging. However, as Catharine has grown in her role, she has come to understand the significance of establishing clear boundaries between her personal and professional lives. As a leader, she recognizes the importance of setting an example and fostering a culture that prioritizes rest and rejuvenation.
Catharine firmly believes that sustainable success can only be achieved when individuals take care of themselves. Leading by example, she emphasizes the value of self-care and mental and physical well-being. Recognizing the influence she holds as a leader, she understands that her team takes cues from her behavior. Hence, she sets the standard for self-care, advocating for adequate rest and a balance between work and personal life.
Despite the constant sense of urgency in her advocacy work, Catharine remains steadfast in her commitment to establishing boundaries. She understands that overexertion and running on empty can hinder one’s ability to build and achieve great things. By prioritizing her well-being and enforcing boundaries between her two worlds, Catharine demonstrates that self-care is not only vital for individuals but also contributes to the overall success of the organization.
Empowering Women Leaders
In 2021, despite significant progress, women leaders will continue to encounter numerous challenges, from battling misconceptions and biases to facing devaluation as team members. However, Catharine believes that building a robust network of supporters is essential for overcoming these obstacles and achieving success in leadership roles.
Catharine emphasizes the critical role of a supportive network in guiding and empowering women leaders on their path to success. This network serves as a source of strength and encouragement during challenging times, providing the necessary backing to navigate through obstacles.
Having a strong support system allows women leaders to stay grounded and focused as they move forward in their leadership journey. It provides them with a platform to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and gain insights from like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges they face.
By building a diverse network of allies and supporters, women leaders can break down barriers and shatter gender stereotypes. The collective strength of such a network not only helps women advance in their careers but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving gender equality in leadership positions.
Catharine’s advocacy for women in leadership is a testament to the importance of fostering a supportive environment where women’s voices are valued and respected. Through her own experiences, she inspires other women to seek out mentors, allies, and advocates who will uplift and amplify their voices, enabling them to rise above challenges and excel as leaders.
Advancing Cancer Care and Pursuing Justice
The SHEPHERD Foundation has recently unveiled groundbreaking initiatives that hold great promise for revolutionizing cancer care and advocating for justice among underserved populations.
The introduction of a landmark bipartisan federal bill mandating insurance coverage of molecular diagnostics for all cancer patients at the time of diagnosis marks a significant step forward in cancer treatment. These tests analyze a patient’s cancer DNA and healthy DNA, revealing unique genetic drivers and mutations. Catharine explains that this approach can lead to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment options, particularly for cancers without specific treatment guidelines. Furthermore, the data obtained from these tests will contribute to a deeper understanding of the biology of all cancers, potentially opening doors to novel treatments. Most importantly, this bill will bridge the gap in access to high-standard care for patients treated in hospitals who cannot afford diagnostics out-of-pocket.
In another momentous stride, the SHEPHERD Foundation is set to launch the SHEPHERD Justice Lab, a visionary initiative seeking to serve the most marginalized, including the incarcerated, refugees, immigrants, and underrepresented minorities. Through a dedicated fellowship program, the foundation aims to learn from the firsthand experiences and insights of those who have faced unjust systems. Simultaneously, the fellows will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and networks while contributing to research, advocacy, policy, and storytelling efforts. The ultimate goal is to empower these fellows to become powerful advocates for themselves and others, driving effective, lasting, and systemic changes in broken systems, thereby promoting equality and justice for all.
Catharine’s leadership and the SHEPHERD Foundation’s initiatives exemplify a profound commitment to transforming cancer care and advocating for the most vulnerable members of society. By addressing critical gaps in cancer diagnostics and pursuing justice for marginalized communities, the foundation endeavors to create a brighter and more equitable future for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
