Anne Marbarger, CEO of Curebound, leads a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate cancer cures through collaborative research among San Diego’s top institutions. Under her leadership, Curebound is working toward investing $100 million into transformative cancer research. Anne has expanded research partnerships across leading institutions, including Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, the Salk Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Rady Children’s Health, and Scripps Research. With a background in management consulting and experience in the U.S. Treasury Department, she brings a strategic and community-focused approach to advancing innovation.

“Building pathways into STEM fields is essential for driving innovation and delivering health solutions that serve the entire community,” Anne shared. “I’m honored to join SD2’s mission of creating opportunities for students to pursue careers in science and technology.”

Pantea Khodami, Worldwide Head of Precision Medicine and Genomics at Amazon Web Services (AWS), is a visionary leader in cloud-powered healthcare advancements. With over 15 years of experience, she has been pivotal in launching over 30 precision medicine products, including the revolutionary HiSeq X Ten sequencing platform that enabled the $1,000 genome. Passionate about STEM advocacy, Pantea also serves on the board of Athena, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in STEM through leadership development and mentorship.

“I believe technology has the power to transform lives, and increasing access to STEM education is key to that future,” Pantea said. “I’m excited to support SD2 in empowering students to pursue careers in genomics, biotechnology, and beyond.”

“With leaders like Anne and Pantea, we continue to expand how we can empower the STEM workforce,” said Bill Rastetter, SD2 Founder and Board Chairman. “Their expertise in life sciences and technology will help SD2 connect students with transformative education, mentorship, and career pathways.”

About San Diego Squared (SD2)

San Diego Squared is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to STEM opportunities for underserved communities. By providing mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and connections to industry leaders, SD2 works to create a brighter future in STEM fields in the San Diego area and beyond.