George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology 2012 Person of the Year Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation “The Power of One.”

Before America openly discussed breast cancer Nancy Brinker already knew the damage it could do. “Promise me you’ll make it change” her sister Susan G. Komen urged and Nancy founded one of the most powerful women’s health organizations in the world with a mission to help millions in their fight against the disease.

This year the Susan G. Komen for Cure Foundation found itself embattled. “We have made mistakes in how we have handled recent decisions,” Brinker wrote earlier this year. “We must learn from what we’ve done right, what we’ve done wrong and achieve our goal for the millions of women who rely on us.”

Anyone can hold the helm when the water’s calm. Leaders steer ships in stormy seas.