Winter 2025
By Amber Sinicrope
Photography by Celia D. Luna
Joseph S. Deitch, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Commonwealth Financial Network and creator of the Elevate Prize Foundation, is a philanthropist with a bold vision: to amplify changemakers and inspire collective action. He believes that empowering leaders in their fields can spark transformative change and redefine what’s possible.
Deitch’s recent $3 million gift to endow the Joseph Deitch Family Chair at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute exemplifies this vision. The chair, held by Eric Fischer, PhD, Director of the Chemical Biology Program at Dana-Farber, provides critical resources to fuel innovative cancer research. The decision to endow the chair was driven by Deitch’s trust in Dana-Farber’s leadership and his relationship with Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, President and CEO Emerita of Dana-Farber. “When Laurie told me this was one of her top priorities, that was enough for me,” Deitch recalled. “Then I met Eric. His brilliance, curiosity, and ability to unite diverse scientific disciplines made a powerful impression.”
Fischer’s pioneering work in targeted protein degradation—a therapeutic approach with wide-reaching potential—has positioned him as a leader in cancer biology. His research is reshaping drug development and transforming standards of care, offering promising alternatives to chemotherapy. Being named the inaugural incumbent of the Joseph Deitch Family Chair is an honor and a transformative opportunity for Fischer. “This recognition is not just for me, but for my entire lab and everyone who has contributed for more than a decade,” he said. “It’s also a vote of confidence in the future.”
The nature of the funding is especially critical, enabling Fischer and his team to take risks, test bold ideas, and unlock new directions. “Every dollar of flexible support can be multiplied tenfold in additional support,” Fischer reflected. “It accelerates everything—our speed, our reach, and ultimately, our impact on patients.”
“Philanthropy is deeply personal—find what speaks to you and act on it.”
Joseph S. Deitch
This remarkable gift builds on the $3 million Deitch contributed in 2023 to help launch the Centers for Early Detection and Interception and advance Dana-Farber’s Presidential Initiatives Fund. Deitch’s philanthropy also extends beyond Dana-Farber and cancer research. Through the Elevate Prize Foundation, he supports changemakers across disciplines while also empowering communities to create local solutions to global challenges.
Deitch’s giving centers on finding proven leaders with the vision and capacity to drive change—investing in their growth and amplifying their work to draw greater support. “I’m not someone who seeks the spotlight,” he said. “But I hope endowing this chair inspires others to think about how they can make a difference. Philanthropy is deeply personal—find what speaks to you and act on it.”