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About Anne Marbarger

Executive Director at HereForward

Compiled from 17 entries (17 articles) / updated 1d ago / v1

Anne Marbarger is a transformative nonprofit leader who served as CEO of Curebound, driving collaborative cancer research funding in San Diego to accelerate cures through multimillion-dollar investments and community mobilization. Her thinking emphasizes purpose-driven leadership, breaking barriers, the power of collaboration over isolated philanthropy, and investing in people to fuel innovation in entrepreneurship and biotechnology. Now transitioning to Executive Director at HereForward, she continues advocating for strategic nonprofit impact and STEM inclusion.

Leadership in Cancer Research Acceleration

Anne Marbarger led Curebound as CEO, transforming it from Padres Pedal the Cause into a powerhouse investing $8.5 million across 23 teams and over $100 million goal in collaborative research targeting 25 cancer types.[1][2][3][12] She mobilized San Diego's community, uniting scientists and institutions for early-phase breakthroughs, including $1M for pancreatic cancer.[2][5]

Purpose-Driven Nonprofit Entrepreneurship

Marbarger's philosophy centers on visionary leadership fueled by personal purpose, from defying gender barriers in youth soccer to scaling multimillion-dollar initiatives.[1][12][17] In Authority Magazine, she outlined five keys to nonprofit success: building resilient teams, fostering innovation, and measuring impact beyond dollars.[12]

Collaboration and Community Mobilization

She stresses collaboration as key to cures, funding 140+ teams and adding business leaders to Curebound's board for accelerated impact.[3][5][14] Joined boards like SD2 to boost San Diego's biotech ecosystem and STEM inclusion.[5][8][9][11]

Philanthropy as Investment in People

"Supporting local nonprofits isn't just about philanthropy—it's about people," Marbarger asserts, highlighting human connections over transactions in nonprofit support.[4][7][13]

Breaking Barriers and Resilience

Echoing 'pretty good... for a girl,' her career embodies resilience against barriers, inspiring women in STEM and leadership.[1][17]

Career Transition and Legacy

After a decade, Marbarger stepped down as Curebound CEO in 2025, succeeded by Robin Toft, while joining HereForward as Executive Director.[3][10][15][16]

Key themes

Collaborative Cancer Research

Prioritizes funding cross-institutional teams to speed cures, investing millions in San Diego's ecosystem.

  • $8.5M to 23 teams, 140+ total across 25 cancers [2]

  • Transformed Padres Pedal the Cause, $100M goal [1][3]

Purpose-Driven Leadership

Leadership stems from personal purpose, resilience, and vision to unite people for big missions.

  • From soccer barriers to cancer cures [1]

  • 5 keys to nonprofit success [12]

  • 'Pretty good for a girl' resilience [17]

Philanthropy as People Investment

Nonprofit support is about human connections and community, not just money.

Community and Biotech Ecosystem Building

Mobilizes San Diego networks via boards like SD2 and Curebound for STEM and innovation.

Nonprofit Entrepreneurship

Scales nonprofits like startups through strategic funding, teams, and impact measurement.

Sources (17)

Every entry that fed the multi-agent compile above. Inline citation markers in the wiki text (like [1], [2]) are not yet individually linked to specific sources — this is the full set of sources the compile considered.

  1. The Gynergy Effect: Episode 12: Anne Marbarger on Purpose, Leadership & the Race to Cure Cancerpodcast_episode · 2026-04-14
  2. Spotlight on the Community: Mobilizing a Community to Accelerate Cures for Cancerpodcast_episode · 2026-04-14
  3. Curebound Adds Five Prominent Business Leaders to Board to ...article · 2026-04-14
  4. Clearpoint - “Supporting local nonprofits isn't just about philanthropy ...article · 2026-04-14
  5. SD2 Adds Seasoned Nonprofit and Biotechnology Leaders Anne ...article · 2026-04-14
  6. A note from Mark - San Diego Regional EDCarticle · 2026-04-14
  7. “Supporting local nonprofits isn't just about philanthropy — it's about ...article · 2026-04-14
  8. We're thrilled to announce that Pantea Khodami and Anne ...article · 2026-04-14
  9. YOU Belong in STEM | Photo Album - San Diego Squaredarticle · 2026-04-14
  10. Curebound on Instagram: "Announcing Our New Chief Executive ...article · 2026-04-14
  11. The SD2 blog is here! - San Diego Squaredarticle · 2026-04-14
  12. Anne Marbarger of Curebound On 5 Things You Need To Know To ...article · 2026-04-14
  13. ‘It Isn’t Just About Philanthropy, It’s About People’ - San Diego Business Journalnews_article · 2026-04-14
  14. Curebound Adds Five Prominent Business Leaders to Board to Accelerate Impactful Cancer Research - Business Wirenews_article · 2026-04-14
  15. Robin Toft Has Been Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Curebound - Oncodailynews_article · 2026-04-14
  16. Exclusive: Robin Toft Takes CEO Role at San Diego's Non-Profit Curebound - Business San Diegonews_article · 2026-04-14
  17. In Her Own Words: ‘Pretty good…..for a girl’ resonates for Anne Marbarger - The Business Journalsnews_article · 2026-04-14