Memphis, Tennessee, January 8, 2026
ALSAC has announced new leadership appointments aimed at enhancing its fundraising and strategic efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Martin Hand will take on the role of Chief Development Officer, while Deborah Garcia has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Strategy. These moves are part of a strategic initiative to boost growth and engagement in the fight against childhood cancer. The organization aims to improve services for children battling cancer globally, showcasing Memphis as a significant hub for nonprofit ventures.
ALSAC Appoints New Leaders to Combat Childhood Cancer
New Executive Team Aims to Enhance Fundraising and Strategy for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee – ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, has made significant leadership appointments that promise to bolster efforts in the fight against childhood cancer. Martin Hand has been appointed as Chief Development Officer, while Deborah “Deb” Garcia joins as Senior Vice President of Strategy. These strategic moves are part of a broader initiative aimed at increasing growth and engagement to better serve children battling cancer worldwide.
It’s encouraging to see local organizations like ALSAC prioritize innovation and leadership in such crucial areas. The determination shown by these leaders reflects the broader spirit of Memphis entrepreneurs, who continually navigate challenges to contribute to the local economy. Enhanced fundraising strategies not only benefit ALSAC’s mission but also spotlight Memphis as a hub for impactful nonprofit ventures that foster community resilience and economic growth.
Martin Hand’s Appointment as Chief Development Officer
With a decade-long tenure at ALSAC, Martin Hand will now spearhead the organization’s fundraising and development efforts as Chief Development Officer. His new role encompasses key responsibilities such as corporate partnerships, donor acquisition, and innovative fundraising campaigns. Hand’s experience as Chief Donor and Operations Officer has already laid a solid foundation for achieving record-breaking fundraising milestones. His background in customer service leadership roles at major airlines further equips him with the skills necessary to foster strong, impactful donor relationships.
Deborah Garcia’s Role as Senior Vice President of Strategy
Deborah Garcia brings a wealth of knowledge from global nonprofit organizations to her new position. As Senior Vice President of Strategy, she is tasked with overseeing enterprise-wide strategic initiatives. Previously, Garcia served as Chief Development Officer at Doctors Without Borders US, where she successfully led a comprehensive development portfolio, achieving significant revenue growth. Her proven track record in fundraising will be invaluable to ALSAC’s mission, which aims to enhance its capabilities to serve children with cancer.
Strategic Vision for ALSAC’s Future
The appointments of Hand and Garcia align with ALSAC President and CEO Ike Anand’s ambitious vision for the organization. This strategic reshaping is intended to unlock new pathways for growth and to enhance operational excellence. By implementing innovative strategies, ALSAC aims to increase its impact on the estimated 400,000 children worldwide who develop cancer annually. The proactive measures taken by ALSAC reflect a commitment to fostering a robust fundraising environment while improving treatment options for children in need.
About ALSAC and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
ALSAC serves as the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, dedicated to understanding, treating, and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Since its foundation in 1962, St. Jude has made significant strides in improving survival rates for childhood cancer in the U.S., increasing from just 20% to over 80%. St. Jude’s commitment to sharing its research breakthroughs ensures that hospitals and cancer centers worldwide benefit from its advancements in treatment and care for children.
Key Features of the Leadership Appointments
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Martin Hand’s Appointment | Appointed as Chief Development Officer, leading revenue-generation and development efforts at ALSAC. |
| Deborah Garcia’s Role | Joined as Senior Vice President of Strategy, overseeing enterprise-wide strategic initiatives. |
| Strategic Vision | Appointments align with ALSAC’s vision to reshape the organization for its next era of growth, aiming to impact more children worldwide who develop cancer each year. |
| About ALSAC | ALSAC is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, dedicated to understanding, treating, and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Martin Hand?
Martin Hand is a 12-year veteran of ALSAC, previously serving as Chief Donor and Operations Officer. He has been instrumental in shaping donor engagement strategies and achieving record-breaking fundraising milestones for the organization. Before joining ALSAC, Hand held senior customer service leadership positions at United Airlines and Continental Airlines. He holds an M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University and a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Barry University.
What is Deborah Garcia’s background?
Deborah Garcia brings extensive experience in global nonprofit organizations to her new role as Senior Vice President of Strategy at ALSAC. Most recently, she served as Chief Development Officer at Doctors Without Borders US, where she led a comprehensive development portfolio and achieved nearly 20% revenue growth, scaling fundraising to approximately $800 million. Garcia holds an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a B.A.S. from the University of Waterloo.
What is ALSAC’s mission?
ALSAC is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which is dedicated to understanding, treating, and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Since its opening in 1962, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate in the U.S. from 20% to more than 80% and continues to share its breakthroughs to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers worldwide improve the quality of treatment and care for children.
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