My name is Joanna Conant, I am an Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, covering hematopathology and genomic medicine services. The trajectory of my career – where I lead, how I lead, and why I lead – was forever changed because the CAP Foundation believed in me.

More than a decade ago, I was a pathology resident trying to understand how to make a broader impact in my field. I attended a CAP Policy Meeting and quickly realized what was missing from my AP/CP residency curriculum. I saw how essential it is for pathologists to be engaged in shaping health, protecting the value of our work, and ensuring we remain central to patient care.

I wanted to do more, and that’s when I found the CAP Foundation. Their Leadership Development Award gave me the opportunity to take the next step: Attending and networking at the CAP Annual Meeting and participating in another Policy Meeting. That award wasn’t just financial support it was a powerful message: We see your potential. We believe in you and your future.

From there, the Foundation continued to shape my path. I attended the Engaged Leadership Academy, an experience that deeply influenced the leader I am today. I became a junior member of the CAP Foundation Grants Committee, where I helped review grant proposals, beginning my journey of giving back to the very organization that had invested in me.

In 2021, I was honored to join the CAP Foundation Board. Today, I serve as its Vice President. The CAP Foundation empowered me to pursue my dreams when I needed it most. That single opportunity changed everything. Now, I serve to ensure that the next generation of leaders sees what’s possible when their voice is heard and their potential is nurtured.

If you’re attending the CAP Annual Meeting this year, don’t miss the opportunity to connect with the CAP Foundation. It may just be the spark that sets your career in motion, just as it did for mine.

And if the Foundation has made an impact on you—whether you’ve received an award, attended an event, or simply believe in its mission—consider giving back. Donate a portion of your meeting stipend, apply for a grant or award to take the next step in your career, or make a small gift to help support someone else’s journey. Every action matters, and your involvement helps ensure the Foundation can continue to invest in the future of pathology.

With gratitude,
Joanna Conant, MD, FCAP
Vice President, CAP Foundation