Susan G. Komen NC affiliate names new executive director

Pam Kohl will begin her new role at Komen in mid-August.

“I am honored to become part of this affiliate’s team,” Kohl said in a statement. "The organization's work saves lives every day in our communities. I have worked my entire career to advocate for prevention programs and quality health care, and nothing could be more compelling to me than to lead this organization forward."

A North Carolina native, Kohl has more than 25 years of experience working in government and non-profit management. She two health-related non-profits in Raleigh, including Planned Parenthood, and increased the number of clients and revenue for both agencies.

Kohl said her goal with Komen is to reduce politics and expand the organizations' reach.

"We're very, very committed to providing funding to try to enable women in rural North Carolina and eastern North Carolina to get the services that they need to prevent breast cancer, to treat breast cancer and, certainly, to prevent death," she said.

A veteran leader, she is respected in the non-profit sector as an effective collaborator and catalyst, according to the board of directors.

"Pam has demonstrated considerable expertise and creativity in managing local non-profit organizations in the past. Her experience will prove pivotal in the growth and delivery of benefits to the diverse geographic communities, including our newly added counties in eastern North Carolina," said Ted Smyth, president of the board of directors for Komen.

Most recently, Kohl served as district director for Democratic Congressman Brad Miller, 13th Congressional District.