Curebound’s Liz DiGeronimo and Erik Gordon share how bold change can unify teams and strengthen community connection.
What happens when you rethink everything about your signature event all at once? From branding and location to timing, Curebound took a leap that could have reshaped everything or strengthened it.
In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Liz DiGeronimo, Director of Community Fundraising, and Erik Gordon, Director of Marketing at Curebound. Together, they unpack what it really takes to guide both your community and your internal teams through major change while staying grounded in purpose.
Liz and Erik walk through the signals that made it clear their long-standing event needed to evolve and the risks that came with stepping away from tradition. They share how they brought their community into the process through intentional listening and conversation, discovering that what mattered most wasn’t the venue or logistics but the mission driving it all.
The conversation also dives into the internal work. From aligning marketing and fundraising around a shared story to refining how they communicate during moments of uncertainty, they reveal how clarity and connection became their biggest strengths.
Together, we’ll explore:
– Guiding teams toward shared clarity during major event change
– Engaging your community so they feel part of the journey
– Keeping your mission front and center through every shift
Mentioned Links
www.curebound.org
https://www.curebound.org/curebound-cancer-challenge
https://www.curebound.org/concert-for-cures
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Liz DiGeronimo
Director of Community Fundraising,
Curebound
Liz DiGeronimo serves as Director of Community Fundraising at Curebound, where she leads strategy and execution for the Curebound Cancer Challenge, the organization’s signature peer-to-peer fundraising event.
In her role, Liz oversees community-driven revenue growth, participant engagement, corporate and team fundraising, and volunteer leadership. She works closely with Curebound’s Board of Directors, Advisory Committees, corporate partners, and staff to build scalable fundraising programs that deepen donor relationships and accelerate funding for innovative cancer research across San Diego’s leading research institutions.
Liz brings a data-driven and people-first approach to fundraising, combining strategic planning with meaningful stewardship to drive both short-term impact and long-term sustainability.
Her work has helped grow Curebound’s community events into multi-million-dollar fundraising platforms while expanding participation, retention, and corporate engagement year over year.
Passionate about building community around a shared mission, Liz is committed to empowering fundraisers, honoring survivor and patient stories, and creating accessible entry points for supporters to make a tangible difference in the fight against cancer.
Erik Gordon
Director of Marketing,
Curebound
Erik Gordon serves as Director of Marketing at Curebound, where he leads brand strategy, community marketing, and partnerships in support of the organization’s mission to accelerate collaborative cancer research.
In this role, Erik oversees Curebound’s brand presence across its largest platforms, including the Curebound Cancer Challenge and Concerts for Cures at Petco Park, shaping how the organization engages participants, partners, and the broader community. He works closely with Curebound’s fundraising, events, and partnerships teams to expand reach, strengthen engagement, and elevate Curebound’s visibility as a leader in community-driven impact.
Erik brings a strategic, storytelling-first approach to marketing, blending data, creativity, and authentic connection to build trust and long-term brand equity. His work focuses on turning events and partnerships into sustained support for lifesaving cancer research.
Driven by a belief that community is at the heart of impact, Erik is committed to creating inclusive, mission-aligned experiences that invite people and brands to play an active role in the fight against cancer.
Podcast Host
Marcie Maxwell
CEO, Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum
Marcie Maxwell is the CEO of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. Marcie joined the P2PPF team in 2021 after 15+ years as a front-line fundraiser, national events & campaign director and fundraising consultant. In her role, Marcie serves as a primary thought leader and community builder for the peer-to-peer fundraising industry. She started her career in fundraising with 10+ years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she ran local fundraising events, managed national volunteer partnerships and launched their national walk program. She then spent 5+ years as the Director of Chapter Fundraising Events with Make-A-Wish America, where she provided strategy, support & training to 60 chapters on the full event portfolio – walks, school fundraising, an endurance hiking program and galas & social events. In her most recent role at Charity Dynamics, she partnered with clients to provide strategic guidance and analysis to help them optimize and grow their peer-to-peer fundraising events & campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in Ethical Leadership from Christian Brothers University. She resides in Memphis, TN.