Operation Smile Appoints Susan Can to Lead Global Marketing

March 20, 2023 – Global nonprofit Operation Smile announced the appointment of Susan Can as the organization’s new Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. Can brings over 25 years of experience in marketing and brand building to this newly created role where she will lead the evolution of Operation Smile’s global integrated brand and marketing strategy, driving the organization’s commitment to increasing high-quality health care access for 1 million patients by 2032.

Over the course of her career, Can has developed a proven track record of delivering results through strategic multi-million-dollar marketing and alliance programs. Prior to her current position, she worked at Johnson & Johnson as Senior Director of Global Marketing where she had the opportunity to work cross-functionally to create enterprise platform strategies that drove social impact and operational effectiveness.

“We are thrilled to have Susan Can join our team at such a critical time for the organization,” said Operation Smile Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Bill Magee. “Her unparalleled expertise in global brand marketing, strategy, and cross-generational audience engagement will be invaluable as we continue our work to transform health systems around the world.”

“Susan Can is the strategic expert we have been searching for to complete our team,” said Kristie Magee Porcaro, Chief Strategy Officer at Operation Smile. “Her expertise in driving social impact and operational effectiveness will be invaluable as we work to provide life-changing care to even more patients in need.”

Can will be working closely with Operation Smile’s global leadership team and regional partners to drive awareness and engagement for the organization’s brand. She will also be responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies and campaigns to innovatively reach untapped audiences and increase support for the organization’s efforts to provide free, life-changing care for patients around the world.

“I am thrilled to be joining the incredible team at Operation Smile working towards appealing to new audiences and evolving brand perceptions,” said Can. “During my time at Johnson & Johnson, I closely followed the company’s support of Operation Smile and I marveled at its efficacy in building global health systems that last. Since joining the Operation Smile team, I’ve continued to be blown away by the volunteers, surgeons, and leaders we have on the bench and am honored to have the opportunity to partner with them. We have set ambitious targets for ourselves for the next decade and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

While the organization’s focus is on cleft care, it is also working towards empowering world-class medical teams fueled by 6,000 global volunteers to provide comprehensive care for patients in virtually every corner of the world.

For media inquiries please contact Elizabeth McDermott at [email protected]. 

Operation Smile is a global nonprofit specializing in expert cleft surgery and care. We provide medical expertise, research and care through our dedicated staff and medical and student volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits, and health systems, and supported by our generous donors.

For more information about Operation Smile, please visit https://www.operationsmile.org/