Professor Karen Canfell is a cancer epidemiologist whose work has impacted cancer policy and implementation of cancer control strategies nationally and internationally. She is a Professor of Public Health and Lead, Cancer Elimination Collaboration (CEC) at the School of Public Health, University of Sydney. Karen was made Companion of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours for eminent service to medicine as an epidemiologist, particularly through cancer research, to tertiary education, and as a mentor and leader.