Noted philanthropist and community leader Sheri Biller became the first female chair of City of Hope’s board of directors on July 1.

Biller, who joined the board in 2000, most recently served as the board’s vice chair and chair of its Nominating and Governance Committee. She succeeded grocery industry executive Terry Peets.

Sheri Biller, right, with Terry Peets (Photo by AmyCantrell.com)

She and her husband, Les Biller, are longtime supporters of City of Hope. They helped establish the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center, which ensures seamless supportive care for City of Hope patients and their caregivers. The center aims to be an international model for integrated supportive care.

“I am honored to serve as chair for an institution that has made a difference in the lives of so many,” said Biller. “My passion for City of Hope is very personal. It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and to work with my fellow board members in advancing City of Hope’s efforts to help patients everywhere.”

Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president, chief executive officer and holder of the Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director’s Distinguished Chair, praised her consistent involvement.

“Ms. Biller has been a tireless supporter of City of Hope, as evidenced by the establishment of the Biller Patient and Family Resource Center,” he said. “For nearly a decade, she has committed her time and dedication to our mission. We look forward to Sheri’s continued leadership in advancing the lifesaving work of City of Hope.”

Biller has served as a board member for many nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles, including the Kayne Eras Center, The Rape Foundation, the Children’s Burn Foundation and Center Theatre Group (CTG). In 1999, she founded CTG’s Corporate Circle, which has raised more than $7 million for the organization’s student theatre arts education program and reached more than 315,000 public school students.

Before moving to Los Angeles, Biller founded and chaired the Ordway Circle of Stars, the volunteer organization of the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, Minn. She was previously chief executive officer and owner of the Capital Mortgage Company in San Francisco.