Richard Shadyac Jr. to Step Down as CEO of St. Jude Fundraising Arm ALSAC

As a lifelong cinema enthusiast who has had the privilege of witnessing countless tales unfold on the silver screen, I find myself deeply moved by the tale of Richard Shadyac Jr.’s tenure at ALSAC and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It’s not often that we come across real-life narratives as inspiring and impactful as this one.

Richard Shadyac Jr. plans to resign as CEO of ALSAC, the charitable organization linked to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, come March. Notably, this charity – established by Danny Thomas and initially supported by the entertainment industry – ranks among the country’s most thriving private philanthropic initiatives throughout history.

As a passionate cinema-goer, I’d put it this way: At heart, St. Jude’s commitment lies in discovering treatments and propelling research on pediatric cancer and various other illnesses. The inspiring spirit of St. Jude’s center in Memphis is that no child is ever denied care due to their family’s inability to pay.

As a passionate supporter, I’d share that the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) was established alongside St. Jude in the early ’60s, serving as the fundraising powerhouse and advocate for this remarkable institution. During Danny Thomas’s 15-year leadership at ALSAC, charitable donations and sponsorships nearly quadrupled. Remarkably, ALSAC has reported an impressive 59 consecutive quarters of growth in fundraising. Furthermore, under his guidance, the launch of a capital campaign for St. Jude’s $12.9 billion campus expansion was initiated.

CONNECTION TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: The venerable St. Jude Hospital, once synonymous with the golden age of Hollywood, now welcomes a fresh wave of philanthropists.

“An important part of leadership is knowing when to pass the torch, and I believe this is the moment for ALSAC,” Shadyac said. “It has been the joy of my professional life to serve our patients and families, St. Jude, and my colleagues at ALSAC. I am deeply proud of all that ALSAC has achieved – and what it will achieve in the years to come. I have confidence in ALSAC’s ability to continue delivering on the St. Jude mission, thanks to the employees, volunteers, donors and partners who are the lifeblood of this organization.”

starting from March 1st, Ike Anand, the COO (Chief Operating Officer) at ALSAC, will take on the role of interim CEO until they find a permanent replacement.

We deeply appreciate Rick Shadyac’s relentless and unselfish service to ALSAC and St. Jude. His leadership has enabled St. Jude to provide care and conduct essential research on a scale that was inconceivable 15 years ago, setting us up for future success. According to Frederick M. Azar, chairman of ALSAC’s board of directors, ‘ALSAC’s work allows us to persistently strive for medical advancements, discovering new methods to assist children and their families during difficult periods in their lives.’

LISTEN: How St. Jude Became ‘America’s Hospital’

Shadyac’s family played a significant role in establishing ALSAC, where he started accumulating coins for St. Jude as a youngster. Later, he became a member of the board and was appointed president and CEO in September 2009. In 2020, Anand joined ALSAC following 15 years with Expedia Group.

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2024-12-10 06:16