Board of Directors
The Board is the governing body of the Foundation. The Board supports the work of the Foundation and provides leadership and strategic governance to advance the mission.
Our Board of Directors

Carol Feghali-Bostwick, PhD
Vice Chair
Cyndy Besselievre, CPA
Treasurer
J. Michael Levengood, Esq.
Secretary
Cos M. Mallozzi
Immediate Past Chair
Linda J.B. Bornstein Baum, OD
Member-at-Large
Mary Blades
Member-at-Large
Courtney Caliendo, Esq.
Member-at-Large
Peggy Collins
Member-at-Large
Blake Embree
Member-at-Large
Zeba Hyder, MBA
Member-at-Large
Christina Loccke
Member-at-Large
Aaron (AJ) Nahmad
Member-at-Large
Mark Orozco, MBA
Member-at-Large
Tracy Porter, MEd, SPHR
Member-at-Large
Marcia Walker
Member-at-LargeEx Officio
Jane Ladas, Chair, New England Chapter
Nancy Waltermire, Chair, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Peggy Collins, Chair, Chapter Leadership Council
Evamarie Cole, Co-Chair, Patient Advisory Board
Karen Gottesman, Co-Chair, Patient Advisory Board
Katherine Torok, MD, Chair, Medical and Scientific Advisory Board
Mary J. Wheatley, IOM, CAE, Chief Executive Officer
Patient Advisory Board
The charge of the Patient Advisory Board is to support the leadership of the National Scleroderma Foundation by advising the Board of Directors on matters related to patient support, education, and research. The Patient Advisory Board serves as a link between the Foundation and the patient community and takes a leading role in disseminating patient information and education, developing timely educational programming, and establishing research priorities. In addition, the Patient Advisory Board is charged with mentoring new and potential leaders and assisting with the development of Foundation programs and services designed to achieve the mission priorities.
Patient Advisory Board:
Evamarie Cole, Co-Chair
Karen Gottesman, Co-Chair
Peggy Collins
Monica Ramirez
Nikhil Bhat
Sade Taylor
Carla King
Ron Sasso
Thomas Fry
Amanda Lippincott
Ann Mogilevsky
Erion Moore
Dr. Virginia Steen, ex officio
Chapter Leadership Council
The Chapter Leadership Council consists of prominent individuals from the scleroderma community who partner for the overall success of the National Scleroderma Foundation. The Council is made up of the Chairs of each chapter’s Chapter Advisory Committee. One representative from the Chapter Leadership Council sits on the National Board of Directors. In addition to creating a nationwide network of chapter leadership, this allows for greater linkage and communication between the National Board of Directors and Chapters. Learn more
The Chapter Leadership Council was approved by the Board of Directors in December 2021. They began in July 2022, and member terms run on the fiscal year as new Chapter Chairs are appointed and reappointed annually.
Please contact Ashley Pruett, MEd, Staff Liaison for more information