Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey
Welcomes Melissa Surdez to Board of Directors
Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey (Komen CSNJ) announced today the appointment of Melissa Surdez, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), to its board of directors.
“We are thrilled to have Melissa Surdez as part of the Komen CSNJ board of directors,” said Suzanne Corson, executive director of Komen CSNJ. “Her leadership experience, community engagement and passion to end breast cancer will move this organization forward.”
Surdez first became involved with Komen CSNJ as one of the Affiliate’s keynote speakers at the second annual IMPACT Luncheon, where hundreds of people listened to her journey as a woman living with metastatic breast cancer. Her passion to connect with breast cancer survivors and “metastatic livers” inspired her to join the board and make a bigger impact in the lives of others who are affected by the disease.
“What excites me as someone who has cancer, and will have always have cancer, is that I will be able to really make delicious lemonade out of those lemons and make an impact,” said Surdez. “Whatever good I can do in this role, I am all in for it.”
Surdez will be instrumental in fundraising and mission-focused initiatives that will further the organization’s mission of a world without breast cancer. The mother-of-two is hoping her own stories and experiences with breast cancer are resources for others facing a similar battle, and rallying supporters to act, donate and get involved with Komen CSNJ.
“Life is amazing; people are incredible,” said Surdez. “We are made up of thousands of stories that make us who we are; I love hearing those stories and I love to tell my stories.”
Surdez has over 23 years of human resources and recruitment experience, most recently in her role as a Global Head of Human Resources for the Technology Function and Digital Health Technology at Johnson & Johnson. In this position, she provides strategic human resources business partnerships for several J&J global organizations, while leading the creation and implementation of human resources strategies for said organizations.
Surdez received her M.S. in Human Resources Management from Rutgers University in 2005, and her B.A. in Communication from Monmouth University in 1991. Surdez was selected as Johnson & Johnson’s Working Mother of the Year in 2017, and is a certified life coach, inspiring others with her dedication to helping others and leading individuals to be their best selves.
About Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey
Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey (Komen CSNJ) is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the Komen CSNJ Race for the Cure®, Komen CSNJ has invested nearly $15 million in community breast health programs in its 13-county service area and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million invested globally in research. For more information, call 609–896–1201 or visit komencsnj.org.
