ALSAC Named to Fast Company's 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators List

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ALSAC Named to Fast Company's 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators List

2026-09-11 02:22 Last Updated At：02:30

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 10, 2026--

ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ®, has been named to Fast Company's 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list. The closely watched annual ranking spotlights organizations that empower employees to test new ideas that drive meaningful change.

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As the organization responsible for raising the majority of funds needed to sustain and grow St. Jude, ALSAC continually explores new ways to connect supporters with the mission and maximize the impact of their generosity. This year's recognition highlights ALSAC's investments in data, responsible AI and employee-led innovation that strengthen donor relationships, improve operational efficiency and empower more supporters to advance the St. Jude mission.

"Innovation isn't an end in itself. It's how we create more opportunities for supporters to join the St. Jude mission and help children around the world," said Ike Anand, president and CEO of ALSAC. "This recognition reflects the creativity and dedication of our employees, who are continually finding smarter ways to serve our supporters, honor the trust our donors place in us and help ensure St. Jude can accelerate progress for children and families facing some of the world's toughest diseases."

The honor adds to a longstanding record of recognition by Fast Company of ALSAC's culture of embracing new approaches to complex challenges. Since first appearing on the list in 2020 as the No. 1-ranked organization overall, ALSAC has earned multiple placements and category honors from Fast Company, including recognition in 2024 as the winner of the publication's General Excellence category.

The Fast Company recognition follows other recent measures of brand strength and public trust. Independent studies from Morning Consult and YouGov have recognized St. Jude among America's most trusted and admired brands.

To learn more about career opportunities at ALSAC and how employees help advance the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, visit stjude.org/jobs.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered largely incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate in the U.S. from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

Fire in eastern Congo kills at least 24 students at 2 schools

BUKAVU, Congo (AP) — A fire swept through two adjacent schools Thursday in Bukavu in eastern Congo, killing at least 24 students and injuring dozens, the rebel administration that controls the city and local officials said.

The spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, Lawrence Kanyuka, said 19 girls and five boys were killed, adding that 29 people were being treated at local medical facilities.

The fire started at a house before spreading to the two adjoining schools, local neighborhood administrator Moïse Lubala told The Associated Press.

He said several students were trapped inside Furaha secondary school and some suffocated.

A mix of boys and girls of different ages, students at Furaha and at Ujamaa primary school, were brought to the Nyamulagira BDOM health center in their school uniforms, nurse Ciza Jean-Baptiste told the AP.

Medical staff were struggling to keep track of the exact number of injured because there were so many, he said.

“The exit was too narrow, so some students began jumping through windows while others rushed toward the door. As everyone tried to force their way out, students were pushed over and trampled on,” said Lubala.

The cause of the fire is not known, but the neighborhood where the fire started is densely populated and most houses are made out of wood, according to Lubala.

Congo’s government struggles to exert control over the east of the country. M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, took control of Bukavu in February 2025. More than 100 armed groups are vying for control of eastern Congo’s trillions of dollars in mineral wealth that’s critical for much of the world’s technology.

Health services are under severe strain as the region grapples with the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history that has killed more than 3,300 people, with more than 6,800 confirmed cases recorded.

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Justin Kabumba in Goma, Congo, contributed to this report.