As executive vice president for patient advocacy, engagement and education at Patient Advocate Foundation, Gwen Darien leads programs that link direct patient service programs to system change initiatives, patient education and patient advocacy to improve access to affordable, equitable quality health care. Called “a bit of a renegade” by People magazine, Darien has long insisted on pushing boundaries while maintaining a safe space for patients. As a three-time cancer survivor, she came into cancer advocacy to change the experiences and outcomes for the patients who came after her and to change the public dialogue about cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.