COLUMBUS, Ohio (January 31, 2024) – Following 15 years of continuous and increasing community support which has resulted in $283 million raised for cancer research at the OSUCCC-James at Ohio State and tens of thousands of participants, Pelotonia today announced a new leadership structure that will facilitate its next phase of significant growth.

Effective immediately, Doug Ulman will take on a new and expanded leadership role, serving as Vice Chair of the Board and Senior Advisor to current President Joe Apgar, who will become Pelotonia’s new CEO. Ulman will remain an actively engaged leader at Pelotonia, focusing on new partnerships and strategic initiatives designed to significantly increase the organization's fundraising and impact. As CEO, Apgar will drive forward a vision to grow the organization’s impact and oversee all day-to-day aspects of Pelotonia.

"We are very excited about this new leadership structure and believe it sets us up for continued momentum and even greater collective impact on cancer research at The Ohio State University,” said Pelotonia Board Chair Bobby Schottenstein, who is also Chairman and CEO of M/I Homes, Inc.

“Doug’s leadership as CEO over the last decade has been extraordinary; Doug has inspired the Pelotonia community and propelled growth of this grassroots movement. In becoming Vice Chair, Doug will provide greater focus on new partnerships and other strategic initiatives designed to further leverage the Pelotonia brand and grow fundraising,” Schottenstein added. “Joe has been a strong leader since he joined Pelotonia seven years ago. Joe is respected and admired by the Pelotonia community, and is deeply motivated by his personal experience as a cancer survivor."

Ulman was named CEO of Pelotonia in 2014, after serving as President and CEO of Livestrong. During his tenure as CEO, Pelotonia raised $200 million for cancer research, launched the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology and opened the Pelotonia Research Center in Ohio State’s innovation district. Ulman’s professional journey has focused on revolutionizing philanthropy and advocating for those impacted by cancer, efforts he will continue to champion. In addition to his ongoing leadership at Pelotonia, Ulman will focus on civic and community leadership opportunities, including launching a new effort to support social entrepreneurs.

"It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the incredible Pelotonia community; I am excited to continue my service in a new and expanded role and I could not be more thrilled that Joe Apgar will be stepping in as our next CEO,” said Ulman. “Joe is a phenomenal leader; he cares so deeply about the experience of every member of this community and has big goals and a vision to match. As a cancer survivor and 13-year Pelotonia rider, Joe’s passion for our mission is unrivaled. I am most excited about Joe’s commitment to connecting the research impact to the community and to elevating Pelotonia’s experiences in innovative, exciting ways. As I continue to collaborate closely with Joe in my new role, I look forward to witnessing all that he and our entire Pelotonia team will achieve moving forward.”

During Apgar’s more than seven years of service to the organization, he has held various roles at Pelotonia, including Chief Operating Officer and most recently as President. Apgar has become a trusted leader within the Pelotonia community, serving as a key driver behind the introduction of new events and opportunities that have scaled fundraising. During Apgar’s leadership as President, Pelotonia successfully launched its inaugural Gravel Day Ride and celebrated its 15th anniversary Ride in 2023, which raised more than $25 million for cancer research.

Apgar joined Pelotonia after eight years at Rockbridge Capital, where he worked on the Capital Markets team and led strategic initiatives for the firm including the launch of RTRX, which has become a premier Columbus conference drawing attendees from around the country and has raised more than $7 million for Pelotonia since 2012. Apgar received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Penn State University and has been recognized as an exemplary leader through inclusion in the Columbus Business First 40 Under 40 program, Columbus CEO Future 50 class, and 2022 cohort of Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program.

“I am grateful to the Board for their leadership and vision, and their confidence in me and our team as we keep pushing Pelotonia to new heights. Doug has been a friend and mentor since he recruited me to join Pelotonia in 2016. I look forward to our ongoing, powerful partnership as I become CEO,” said Apgar. “I've been a patient of The James since 2008, where I witnessed the start of Pelotonia as a cancer survivor and I continue to experience their world-class care firsthand. The Pelotonia community has so much momentum today, and I am more excited than ever to continue accelerating breakthroughs and discoveries at the OSUCCC-James for cancer patients around the world. I am humbled and honored for this opportunity."

With support from the Board of Directors, Pelotonia has developed and implemented innovative and entrepreneurial programs that have raised millions of dollars for groundbreaking research including the launch of the Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women's Cancers and a strategic partnership with M/I Homes, Inc., which has engaged thousands of associates across their 17 national markets.

100 percent of every dollar raised by Pelotonia participants directly supports cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology.

“Pelotonia has achieved what few initially thought was possible,” said OSUCCC Director and Pelotonia Board Member Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD. “From the renowned work of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology to the recent opening of the Pelotonia Research Center, we continue to achieve results and accelerate discoveries at an exciting pace. Our collective work is only just beginning, and I am excited to witness the continued impact the Pelotonia community will have with this strong leadership structure in place.”

Registration for Pelotonia 2024 Ride Weekend and Gravel Day will open to participants on February 29.

To learn more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, including the work of The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, visit pelotonia.org/impact and pelotonia.org/institute.

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About Pelotonia 

In 2023, Pelotonia celebrated 15 years of One Goal, accelerating funding for innovative cancer research, with its signature series of iconic and impactful events with cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism experiences. This year’s events included the Opening Ceremony and Ride Weekend in August and a new Gravel Day event in September. To date, the Pelotonia community has raised more than $283 million. With support from generous funding partners – American Electric Power Foundation, Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret, M/I Homes, Safelite, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill, Nationwide Insurance and Pharmavite – Pelotonia directs 100 percent of every dollar raised by participants to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology.  

 This year’s signature events will include Opening Ceremony on August 2, Ride Weekend on August 3-4 and Gravel Day on September 28, 2024. To learn more about Pelotonia, visit pelotonia.org.