Dr. Heather E. Stefanski, MD, PhD, is a leading authority in pediatric hematology, stem cell transplantation, and cell therapy innovation. As Executive Vice President of CIBMTR and Clinical Services at the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), she drives national and global initiatives focused on donor safety, transplant access, and cellular therapy advancement. With over 65 peer-reviewed publications and multiple patents, Dr. Stefanski blends clinical excellence with groundbreaking research to improve outcomes for patients worldwide. She serves in key leadership roles across the WMDA, ASH, and ASTCT, and is recognized for her visionary contributions to donor health and translational medicine.

I’m a physician, author, and advocate with over four decades of experience in pediatric oncology, academic medicine, and nonprofit leadership. For the majority of my career, I served at Columbia University Medical Center, where I led one of the nation’s top pediatric hematology-oncology programs and mentored a generation of physician-scientists. I’m proud to have founded the Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, which has raised over \$100 million to support children and families facing cancer. Today, I remain active as a writer and fundraiser, committed to advancing care, research, and hope for the next generation.