Gateway's Staff

Peter J. Steele is a mission-driven executive with a strong record of leading growth, innovation, and organizational impact across enterprise commercial healthcare and national-scale nonprofit sectors.

Peter is the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about HOPE—he’s spent his career building it, one breakthrough at a time. Now, as Chief Executive Officer of Gateway for Cancer Research, Peter leads with a singular focus: giving patients and families battling cancer the real, tangible HOPE that comes from access to cutting-edge clinical trials and promising new therapies.

Driven by personal loss—his own father’s battle with cancer—Peter knows firsthand how urgent the fight is. He brings to Gateway a rare blend of empathy, vision, and grit, forged by decades leading both international healthcare organizations and national nonprofits. At ALORICA, Peter served as Global Vice President, transforming the global healthcare business through bold innovation and powerful partnerships. At the American Cancer Society, he helped turn the tide reversing revenue declines, strengthening operations, and expanding the organization’s reach to touch more lives across the country.

Peter’s leadership is rooted in a deep belief: philanthropy is not just charity, but a force for progress. It can spark discoveries, open doors to new treatment options, and restore HOPE for families who need it most. Under his leadership, Gateway for Cancer Research will accelerate the pace of clinical trials and push the boundaries of what’s possible and always ask the question – what’s next.

With advanced degrees in international relations and political science from Northern Illinois University, Peter brings a global perspective and a relentless drive for impact. He lives in Chicago with his wife and two children—his greatest reminders of what’s at stake in this fight.

“As someone who’s seen the pain cancer causes, both as a son and as a leader, I am committed to making sure Gateway delivers what families need most: real options, real breakthroughs, and real HOPE for a future without cancer.”

With Peter J. Steele leading the way, Gateway for Cancer Research is more determined than ever to transform how cancer is treated and bring new HOPE to those who need it most.