Connie L. Matsui

For over three decades, Connie demonstrated innovative and principled leadership in the banking, biotechnology and nonprofit sectors. She not only had exceptional impact as a general manager and developer of human capital and organizational culture, she continues to devote her energy to mentoring and philanthropic efforts.

As a member of the executive leadership team, Connie helped lead the transformation of a 100-person biotech startup in San Diego into one of the most successful global biopharmaceutical companies with over 4,000 employees. As the company grew to become the third largest biotech firm, she played a key role in bringing the first monoclonal antibody cancer therapy to the market and spearheaded the late stage development and global commercialization of the first radioimmunotherapy approved for the treatment of cancer. Over 250,000 cancer patients are treated annually with these innovative therapies. Furthermore, when faced with her own cancer diagnosis, Connie fought back and quickly returned to her professional responsibilities as an Executive Vice President of Biogen Idec.

Connie continues to invest her energy in serving the community. For example, Connie was elected to chair the National Board of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1999–2002, the largest organization of girls and women in the world with over 3.2 million members, including 900,000 volunteers. She was inducted into the Stanford Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of corporate and volunteer leadership in improving the quality of life of patients and of girls and women.

Exhibiting the same qualities of Rell, Connie is recognized for her selfless passion, keen insight, and dedication to helping others. As a cancer survivor, she tirelessly serves on six boards, continues to be an agent of innovation, and creates value in leveraging her experience and relationships “to make progress a passion.” Connie lives the qualities we so much value as we work together in the battle against cancer, personally and professionally.