SAN DIEGO, California — Curebound, a philanthropic organization dedicated to funding and advancing innovative cancer research, announced that Robin Toft has been appointed chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2026. She succeeds founding CEO Anne Marbarger, who will join the organization’s board of directors and serve as an advisor to Toft and the leadership team as Curebound enters its second decade of impact.
Toft brings extensive leadership experience across entrepreneurial companies, nonprofit organizations and life sciences enterprises. She has built a reputation for accelerating life-saving technologies to market by assembling high-performing leadership teams in healthcare and biotechnology. Prior to joining Curebound’s board, Toft founded and later sold an executive search firm focused on improving cancer care. She also brings personal perspective as a grateful colon cancer survivor, and has long been committed to advancing research innovation that aligns with Curebound’s mission to find cures in this lifetime.
Toft has served in multiple governance roles, including on the boards of the American Cancer Society’s San Diego Chapter and the La Jolla Institute of Immunology. Within Curebound, she previously served as board secretary, established and chaired the nominating governance committee, and currently leads the advancement committee.
“I can’t imagine a more inspirational embodiment of Curebound’s mission and culture than Robin,” said Curebound board chair and co-founder Bill Koman. “Her personal and professional support of innovative cancer research and Curebound’s vision has been extraordinary. As founding CEO, Anne has created a strong foundation for Curebound and we are delighted she will serve on the board as the CEO role transitions into Robin’s capable hands.”
Marbarger spent the past decade leading efforts to advance cancer research, beginning with Padres Pedal the Cause—Curebound’s predecessor organization—before serving five years as Curebound’s founding CEO. She helped drive the merger of Padres Pedal the Cause and the Immunotherapy Foundation and built durable partnerships with research institutions and corporate supporters, shaping Curebound into a major philanthropic engine for early-stage cancer studies.
Toft said she is focused on expanding Curebound’s reach across fundraising, partnerships and patient impact. “I look forward to embarking on this new journey with Curebound and continuing the legacy that our CEO Anne Marbarger and co-founders Bill and Amy Koman and Fernanda and Ralph Whitworth have created,” she said. “Together with our dedicated team, supporters and partners, Curebound will continue to fund promising early-stage studies that can change the future of cancer treatment. With federal funding cuts and dozens of vital studies at risk, we must continue to boldly support high-risk, high-reward research led by the brightest scientific minds to bring the next generation of life-saving discoveries to patients.”
