Stephanie Scheele Named New Executive Director
FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 19, 2022 — The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer (the "Foundation") today announced, after a national search, it has named Stephanie Scheele as its new Executive Director.
Scheele has held the post of Chief Purpose and Communication Officer of Vera Bradley, Inc. (the “Company”) since October 2021, responsible for the Company’s enterprise-wide environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, including oversight of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Scheele joined the Company in 2001 and was the driving force behind various marketing and creative initiatives during her tenure, advancing the Vera Bradley brand’s marketing to an integrated, customer-segmented, research-based approach. She was named VP, Marketing Strategy and Operations in 2015; promoted to Interim Chief Marketing Officer in 2017; and promoted to Chief Marketing Officer in 2018. Prior to joining Vera Bradley, Inc., Scheele worked for Sunrise Greetings, a subsidiary of Hallmark. Scheele has served on the Foundation Board of Directors since 2018.
“We are absolutely thrilled to name Stephanie Scheele Executive Director of the Foundation. Stephanie has served on our board and has worked tirelessly over the last several years on fundraising efforts for the Foundation,” shared Ruth Cook, Chair of the Vera Bradley Foundation Board. “Her strategic, marketing, and creative expertise coupled with her institutional knowledge of the Foundation will be instrumental as we elevate funding for life-saving research that is impacting women and their loved ones worldwide.”
Since 2000, the Foundation has provided $37.5 million of funding to the Indiana University School of Medicine (“IU School of Medicine”), allowing them to amass the talent, technology, and resources to become a national leader in targeted breast cancer therapies, specifically for triple negative breast cancer. In April 2022, the Foundation made an additional gift commitment of $12.5 million to IU School of Medicine, bringing the non-profit’s total commitment to breast cancer research to $50 million. The Foundation’s ongoing support led to the 2018 creation of the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (the “IU Cancer Center”) where more than 30 investigators collaborate on breast cancer discoveries. In 2019, the IU Cancer Center was designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest level of recognition awarded by the National Cancer Institute for research excellence.
“I am honored and excited to accept the position of Executive Director of the Foundation. I am intensely passionate about our cause and see a future where a diagnosis of breast cancer is not scary or overwhelming. The Foundation has and will continue to provide hope to countless women and men, along with their families. I am extremely grateful for each of the dedicated servant leaders at the IU Cancer Center working tirelessly to perfect therapies and for all of the donors and volunteers that make this work possible.”
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ABOUT VERA BRADLEY FOUNDATION FOR BREAST CANCER
The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer raises funds for breast cancer research to find a cure and to improve the lives of the many affected by this disease. The Foundation has contributed $37.5 million to the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine and has pledged to raise an additional $12.5 million. The Center is focused on developing and dramatically improving therapies for some of the most difficult-to-treat types of breast cancer. Funds are raised through special events, partner events, and individual donations.
Press Contacts
Greg Jaeger
Director of Public Relations & Social Media, Vera Bradley
gjaeger@verabradley.com