Joi Morris brings to CPI legal and governance experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. A graduate of Vanderbilt law school, Ms. Morris began her career at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles. Her career has included a commitment to pro bono work in underserved communities in Los Angeles and the cancer advocacy community. From 2007 – 2014, she served at FORCE, the national patient advocacy and support group for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, as an Outreach Coordinator, peer navigator and mentor. She also served on the FORCE Board of Directors, as Secretary and Vice President. Ms. Morris was a founding Steering Committee member of the ABOUT Network for the BRCA community and the PCORI Data Privacy Task Force. She is an Advocate in Science for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and has served as an advocate reviewer on research grant committees since 2009 as well as a mentor to young researchers focused on BRCA research.

When she found that she was a carrier of a BRCA2 mutation, she confronted difficult decisions about managing her high risk of cancer. She chose to reduce her breast and ovarian cancer risk through bilateral mastectomies and removal of her ovaries.

To provide guidance for others facing difficult cancer prevention decisions, Ms. Morris co-authored “Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You’re at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer,” together with Dr. Ora Gordon, Director of the GenRISK Adult Genetics Program at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ms. Morris received the Spirit of Empowerment Award from FORCE for Positive Results in 2012.