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Emily Whitehead Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates to increase access to advanced disease treatments such as cell and gene therapies, has named Adam Clark of Reading, MA, as director of foundation operations.

The foundation was named for Emily Whitehead who, at five years old, was the first child living with cancer to receive CAR T-cell therapy. CAR-T was Emily’s last chance for survival. Emily is now 12-years cancer-free, a thriving college student and considered cured.

The Emily Whitehead Foundation was established in 2015 to advance awareness of and access to CAR-T cell therapy and other advanced treatments, and to support families affected by pediatric cancer. As the foundation enters its next decade, it is expanding its mission to advocate for all patients who can benefit from advanced therapies and cultivating collaborations that will enhance support, including emotional and mental health support.

Clark is a strategic operations leader with a diverse career spanning patient advocacy, cell and gene therapy operations, and experience management. In his new role, Clark will develop and scale patient support programs that provide direct resources and guidance to families navigating advanced therapies. His work also will help amplify the voices of patients to enable broader access to cutting-edge treatments.

With a deep background in operations, Clark has led cross-functional teams to design scalable data pipelines, enhance customer experiences, and develop strategic frameworks that drive measurable impact. Prior to joining the Emily Whitehead Foundation, he played a pivotal role in optimizing operational processes to support the delivery of advanced cell and gene therapies. His expertise spans strategic business operations, commercial analytics, and patient-centered advocacy. Through this work, he has improved efficiency, enhanced engagement, and strengthened coordination among stakeholders in the advanced therapy ecosystem.

Clark previously spent over 20 years in the sports and entertainment industry, working alongside leagues like MLB and the NFL to understand how best to meet fans where they are and deliver impactful experiences. His expertise in engagement strategies, data-driven decision-making, and large-scale operations now informs his work in patient advocacy, helping the foundation connect with patient communities in meaningful ways, provide critical support, and expand access to life-changing treatments.

Since its founding, the Emily Whitehead Foundation has connected countless families with expert guidance and clinical trials, helped pave the way for over 40,000 individuals to receive CAR T-cell therapy worldwide, and raised millions for revolutionary research. To learn more, visit emilywhiteheadfoundation.org.