LEADERSHIP PLANNING AND EVALUATION - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Edward Chu, MD, was named the 4th Director and first Vice President of Cancer Medicine at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) in October 2020. With this appointment, Dr. Chu was given expanded executive leadership authorities, and is responsible to set mission, vision, and strategy, and position the MECCC as a comprehensive, integrated cancer enterprise between the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Einstein) and Montefiore Medicine (Montefiore). Since his arrival, Dr. Chu has transformed the MECCC and expanded the CCSG Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with two deputy directors and eight associate directors, all experts and experienced leaders in their respective fields. Each leader has well-defined roles and responsibilities that includes accountability and responsibility for planning and evaluation efforts at the MECCC. The SLT has representation across all strategic scientific areas and cancer disciplines to catalyze multidisciplinary collaborations and interdisciplinary research, while engaging the community and nurturing a welcoming and supportive environment. MECCC leaders are highly engaged as a mission-driven team and work collaboratively to serve, lead, govern and execute on all strategic initiatives. Leaders participate and collaborate via 10 internal committees, 2 external advisory boards, and 8 Strategic Working Groups to enhance planning and evaluation efforts. The SLT has developed and implemented an operational structure and schedule designed and aligned to meet and exceed the milestones and tactics defined in the new 2021-2026 MECCC Strategic Plan – to date over 60% of the goals have been realized. Since the previous CCSG review in 2019, the SLT has facilitated and led several transformative processes, which include: (1) integrated four scientific cross-cutting themes across all areas of the cancer center; (2) appointed 8 new Program Leaders; (3) restructured Research Programs to more tightly align and focus cancer research, and effectively foster multidisciplinary collaboration and interdisciplinary research; (4) tightened MECCC membership criteria to enhance cancer focus; (5) re-established the Community Advisory Board; (6) expanded Cancer Research Training and Education and launched new Bronx High School Program – BEYOND Albert; (7) strategic shared investment in COE, CRTEC and CPDM Disease and Modality Teams to increase awareness and access to clinical trials. (8) convened 2 external ad hoc EAB meetings focused on COE strategies and catchment area research and the second on reviewing progress to date on strategies to enhance CPDM, DSM, clinical trial accrual and PRMS. To date, the Center Director and the SLT have affected change that has resulted in renewed cancer focus, over ~1,000 patients participated in clinical trials in 2021, 20% increase in cancer relevant funding and $33M in philanthropy.