Ep. 563 - Melanoma Research Alliance COO Stephanie Kauffman - How to Translate Vision Into Amazing Results Quickly
Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold
Second in Command with Cameron Herold
4.9 • 225 Ratings
🗓️ 19 March 2026
⏱️ 49 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
When was the last time you felt your vision misunderstood, your partnership undervalued, or your operational roadmap tangled? If you’re a COO wrestling with translating big ideas into real impact, this conversation is your lifeline.
Sivana Brewer welcomes Stephanie Kauffman, Chief Operating Officer at Melanoma Research Alliance, for an urgent episode that lifts the veil on what actually moves the needle for COOs. From converting financial “legends” into game-changing board allies to crafting story-driven partnerships that triple outcomes, you’ll hear how real-world translation builds trust fast, drives innovation, and prevents career-stalling burnout.
Press play now. Don’t risk getting stuck in your leadership bubble. Every minute here arms you with exclusive, proven techniques to connect, influence, and scale before someone else beats you to it.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:10] – A stunning perspective shift: why “second in command” is really “dual in command” for COOs everywhere
[00:02:25] – The myth of melanoma: deadliest form of skin cancer, massive underestimation, and breakthrough facts COOs should know
[00:08:21] – Surprising everyday tips for preventing melanoma beyond just sunscreen (plus one you’ve likely never heard)
[00:10:39] – How legendary finance leaders shaped Stephanie’s radical “private equity” nonprofit strategy—what every COO can steal
[00:18:49] – The $12.7 million secret: bold partnerships that defied board skepticism (and the power of gaming for social impact)
[00:27:11] – Data-driven storytelling for buy-in: How Stephanie translates emotional conviction into actionable board wins
[00:31:47] – Professional translation: the vital COO role in turning CEO vision into operational clarity for every stakeholder
[00:43:15] – The “3 Bs” formula and simplifying the complex: brief, brilliant, be done—your solution to communication chaos
About the Guest
Stephanie Kauffman is Chief Operating Officer of the Melanoma Research Alliance, the world’s largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research. Known for high-impact storytelling and cross-industry partnership wins, she previously held SVP roles at Universal Studios and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Stephanie is recognized for translating visionary ideas into scalable operations, bringing decades of experience across finance, media, and biotech.
Mentioned Resources
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation
- Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch partnership)
- Universal Studios (media/partnerships)
- Leverage Finance Fights Melanoma platform
- UPF apparel (sun protection clothing)
- Mafia Wars (gaming partnership)
About the Co-Host
Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.
🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn
Important Links
- Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
- Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
- Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
- Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
- Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi
The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I believe it could go to a million dollars, but at minimum, a quarter of a million dollars. |
| 0:03.6 | And I remember getting a phone call. |
| 0:06.4 | I was in a board room with one of our other partners, and they said, hey, Steph, I need to talk to you about what's going on with our Blissory Overwatch game. |
| 0:16.5 | I thought, oh, my goodness, are we not even going to hit, you know, the minimum I told the board we were going to get. |
| 0:21.9 | And she shared with me, she's like, we just hit $10 million in two weeks. |
| 0:27.1 | $10 million that was raised for breast cancer research from the incredible gaming community |
| 0:32.1 | that loved the very authentic space in which we were playing. |
| 0:37.2 | It wasn't just putting a pink ribbon somewhere. |
| 0:44.3 | Welcome to the Second in Command podcast, produced by the COO Alliance, and brought to you by its founder, Cameron Harold. |
| 0:52.4 | In the Second in Command podcast, we talked to top COOs who share |
| 0:56.4 | the insights, strategies, and tactics that made them the chief behind the chief. And now here's your |
| 1:02.0 | co-host, former COO of a multi-eight-figure remote company and alumni member of the COO Alliance, Savannah |
| 1:09.6 | Brewer. |
| 1:18.5 | Our guest today is Stephanie Kaufman, the president and chief operating officer of the Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research in the world. |
| 1:24.9 | Stephanie's career sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, and impact. |
| 1:29.3 | She's led partnerships and communications at major mission-driven organizations from the |
| 1:33.9 | Breast Cancer Research Foundation to AmeriCare's and now drives the strategic and operational |
| 1:39.0 | engine behind MRA's groundbreaking work and accelerating progress toward better treatments and ultimately a cure. |
| 1:46.4 | In this conversation, we explore how storytelling can become a secret weapon for partnerships |
| 1:51.0 | and leadership, the three Bs for translating up and aligning with your CEO and your team |
| 1:57.8 | and across the board if you have one, and what it really means to think boldly and bring your team along for the ride. |
| 2:05.6 | She serves a really cool story, actually, of a huge win that they had at the Breast Cancer Research |
... |
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