Avery Starnes

Background

About Avery Starnes

Fundraising strategist & partnership leader behind St. Louis' largest breast cancer event and a nationwide military health IT rollout. My passion for improving healthcare outcomes is deeply rooted in personal experience, giving me a unique lens into what patients and communities truly need. That’s why I’ve built my career around mission-driven fundraising and strategic program growth. At the American Cancer Society, I led the most successful Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in St. Louis history, drawing 2,300+ attendees and raising over $350K. Since then, I’ve expanded my scope to oversee a dual portfolio: Making Strides and Men Wear Pink, together carrying a $500K fundraising goal. I’ve secured $80K+ in sponsorships, activated first-time fundraisers, and strengthened community impact through campaigns that blend storytelling and strategy. Before that, I supported the national rollout of the Military Health System Genesis project at Oracle Cerner, leading client engagement across 18 military treatment facilities and ensuring smooth transitions for providers and patients alike. My strengths lie in bringing clarity to complexity and energy to execution as reflected in my Kolbe profile (7-7-5-2). I lead by specifying what matters, systematizing how we get there, and adapting with focus and empathy. Let’s connect!