It is with deep sadness that we honor the late John Backus, a cherished member of CLL Society’s Board of Directors and a champion of our mission.
John joined the CLL Society Board in January 2023, bringing with him more than three decades of experience as an entrepreneur, technology investor, and nonprofit leader. John’s career reflected a blend of rigorous thinking and courageous leadership, making him an invaluable partner and friend. He built decades of experience as an operator and investor across the airline, finance, and technology sectors. In 1998, he transitioned into venture capital, where he spent the next 27 years mentoring founders and helping lead firms including Draper Atlantic, New Atlantic Ventures, and PROOF.
From the moment he joined CLL Society’s Board, John distinguished himself not only by the deep business acumen and strategy he brought to the table, but also by his generosity of spirit and deep compassion for the CLL community. It is no coincidence that many of his friends and coworkers describe his “relentless optimism” as a “force of nature” when commemorating him.
Our Board is composed of individuals who are generous, grounded, experienced, compassionate, and business savvy, qualities John embodied fully. He approached every conversation thoughtfully, challenged us to think differently, and consistently encouraged innovation in service of patients and caregivers. Most of all, John believed deeply in the mission of CLL Society and often spoke about the guiding light he saw within this community. He focused his passion and contributions on ensuring that people impacted by CLL had better access to reliable information, resources, and meaningful support.
While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those who worked closely with him know that helping people was always his greatest priority. He gave his time generously, was relentlessly optimistic, and led with purpose. His influence strengthened our organization and will continue to shape our work for years to come.
On behalf of the entire CLL Society community, we are profoundly grateful for John’s leadership, his generosity, and his unwavering belief in what is possible. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his extraordinary life.
John’s legacy lives on in the mission he so deeply believed in and in the countless lives he helped improve. He will be greatly missed.
Steven Bloom
President and Chair, Board of Directors
CLL Society
