Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Alumni
  • Login
  • Volunteer
  • Clubs
  • Reunions
  • Bulletin
  • Class Notes
  • Help
  • Give Now
  • Stories
  • Alumni Directory
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Careers
  • Programs & Events
  • Giving
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Alumni→
  • Stories→

Stories

Stories

24 Apr 2014

Personal crises inform a life’s work

Re: Amy Langer (MBA 1977)
Topics: Health-Health DisordersSocial Enterprise-Nonprofit OrganizationsEntrepreneurship-Social Entrepreneurship
ShareBar

One of the youngest women to attend HBS, Amy Schiffman Langer (MBA 1977) was building a successful investment banking career when a cancer diagnosis at age 29 spurred her to volunteer at the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations. She eventually became the nonprofit’s full-time executive director from 1990 through its closure in 2004, and an internationally recognized advocate.

“Our efforts started a movement that vastly escalated breast cancer research funding and gave patients and survivors a permanent voice in medical decision-making,” says Langer. With its mission of education and patient empowerment, the organization created the first comprehensive, disease-specific cancer site on the Web, and informed millions though innovative corporate partnerships.

Another life-changing event prompted Langer to focus her advocacy on the physically disabled, after losing use of both legs when struck by a motorist asleep at the wheel. “I’ve parlayed my misfortunes into my career,” she says, adding: “I believe there is a cosmic system that brings us adversity for a reason. When you’re given that message, you have to keep going.”

(Published April 2014)

Support the next generation of leaders Make a gift now
ShareBar

Featured Alumni

Amy Langer
MBA 1977

Post a Comment

Featured Alumni

Amy Langer
MBA 1977

Related Stories

    • 01 Dec 2016
    • HBS Alumni Bulletin

    3-Minute Briefing: Katherine Switz (MBA 2000)

    Re: Katherine Switz (MBA 2000)
    • 01 Apr 2020
    • Atlanta Journal-Constitution

    Happy Because He’s Blind

    Re: Chad Foster (PLDA 21)
    • 01 Sep 2018
    • HBS Alumni Bulletin

    Your Keyboard Is Listening

    Re: Jan Samzelius (MBA 1979); Robi Blumenstein (MBA 1984); By: April White
    • 01 Jun 2017
    • HBS Alumni Bulletin

    Turning Point: Addiction’s Impact

    Re: Melissa Weiksnar (MBA 1982); By: Melissa Weiksnar (MBA 1982)

More Related Stories

Stories Featuring Amy Langer

    • 01 Aug 2001
    • HBS Alumni Bulletin

    Amy Schiffman Langer (MBA '77)

    Re: Amy Langer (MBA 1977)
    • 08 Aug 2013
    • Alumni Stories

    Cause Marketing Gets Personal

    Re: Amy Langer (MBA 1977); By: Jill Radsken
    • 11 Dec 2014
    • Making A Difference

    Defining the field of cause-related marketing

    Re: Amy Langer (MBA 1977)
 
 
 
 
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Explore
ǁ
Campus Map
External Relations
Harvard Business School
Teele Hall
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
Phone: 1.617.495.6890
Email: alumni+hbs.edu
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College