About Christy Casey-Moore
Executive Director - Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure®

Christy Casey-Moore is the Executive Director of the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Prior to her current position, she worked at GSD&M Idea City as Supervisor of Client Services, responsible for the department management and operations. Her career began at the agency more than 13 years ago as an executive assistant and she rose through the ranks to oversee a department of nearly 100 employees.

Casey-Moore is a familiar face to the Komen Austin Affiliate, having served as Race Director since 1999. Under her direction, the Komen Austin Race for the Cure® has grown from 500 to more than 21,000 participants.

Thanks to community advocates and events like the Komen Austin Race for the Cure, more than $10.5 million has been invested LOCALLY in breast health programs for the underserved women and men of the five counties they serve, as well as research for the cures.

What was the 'aha' moment that got you started in your current career/line of work?
About three years ago I had a family member become very ill and we spent about 100 days at MD Anderson. It was during that time I realized that I would come back to Austin and find something that allowed me to make an impact. Although my career at GSD&M was very rewarding I needed something that provided me with an opportunity to give back what so many friends, family and even strangers gave to us. Then one day the opportunity presented itself at the Komen Austin Affiliate and I knew it was the right direction for me.
What are the key things you would counsel someone coming into the workforce?
I would encourage them to make sure they are doing something they are passionate about. They will work their hardest and encounter some very large obstacles so make sure to love what they do. I would also remind them that it's okay to not know everything; it's okay to ask 'why' and tell someone they don't know the answer. Research the answer and report back. Too often young adults feel that if they don't know every answer it’s a sign of weakness, it's not and in fact it's more damaging to provide incorrect information.
What is the most significant issue you would like to be able to solve?
That breast cancer is un-biased, color-blind and has no fear as to whom it will affect. Men and women both should be aware of their body and if something is not right, seek a physicians help.
What is the one thing that you want to tell the Austin community about your organization?
The Komen Austin Affiliate is a LOCAL organization serving five surrounding counties providing breast health services at no cost for those who otherwise could not afford the much needed care. The funds raised here, stays here with only a percentage going to our national headquarters which is designated solely for finding the cures to this disease.
If you were trapped on a desert island, what would be in your tool kit?
My iphone would be first, it has photos and videos of my family, I hate it but I'm addicted to my daily Diet Coke, and lastly a lighter to build a fire.
What are you worst at and what do you hate to do? How are they different?
I have horrible timing at writing thank you's, from the early age my grandmother taught me the importance of them, but sometimes days go by without getting any written.
When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 10 I just knew I wanted to be a marketing director, oddly as it may sound at that age, but I had a handful of role models in my life that were all in the marketing, event business and they all seem to love what they did and I knew I wanted to do something that would make me happy.