The National Scleroderma Foundation today announced new leadership for its Board of Directors, naming Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick as Chair, alongside a newly appointed slate of executive officers and the addition of three new Board members.
Carol Feghali-Bostwick has been named Chair of the Board of Directors, with Amanda Lippincott serving as Vice Chair, Blake Embree as Treasurer, and Marcia Walker as Secretary. Kevin Boyanowski will transition to Immediate Past Chair, continuing to serve on the Executive Committee.
“We are proud to welcome this exceptional group of leaders into their new roles,” said Mary Wheatley, CEO of the National Scleroderma Foundation. “Carol brings a deep understanding of scleroderma research and community needs, and will help guide our important work at this pivotal time. Alongside Amanda, Blake, Marcia and Kevin, this leadership team strengthens our ability to advance medical research, promote disease awareness, and provide support and education to people living with scleroderma.”
Dr. Bostwick is the SmartState and Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina. There, she leads a team of scientists whose goal is to identify novel targets for therapy for scleroderma and other fibrosing conditions. Dr. Feghali-Bostwick is a dedicated mentor, advisor and coach to a cadre of young physician and academic scientists. Carol and her husband Chris have two children and live in Charleston, South Carolina.
Amanda Lippincott was elected to Vice Chair this year. She also serves as a Support Group Facilitator and previously served on the Patient Advisory Board. Amanda became involved with the Foundation in 2022, three years after her diagnosis. As someone living with scleroderma, Amanda deeply understands the challenges and uncertainties faced by patients and their families and is passionate about advocating for others, ensuring every voice in our community is heard and supported. She and her husband Ed live in New Jersey with their young daughter.
Blake Embree continues as Treasurer for the Foundation. He is COO for Strategic Programs and Process Improvement with Wells Fargo and possesses a unique blend of experience in strategic planning, performance improvement, business development and consulting. Blake serves in honor of a family member who is living with scleroderma, and hopes to lend his experience and skills to make a greater impact. He and his wife Jeanna live in Charlotte with their family.
Marcia Walker begins her second term as Secretary. Her expertise in nonprofit governance and philanthropy has been an asset to the Foundation since her early days of volunteer leadership. Marcia and her husband Frank live in Tucson, Arizona with their beloved dogs. Prior to their retirement, they ran an Executive Search firm, partnering with nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the country for more than 30 years.
Kevin Boyanowski rounds out the executive committee, serving as Immediate Past Chair. Kevin has served on the Board since 2018. In addition to his board service, he served as Chair of the Foundation’s Strategic Planning Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee. His career focus has been on global trade, corporate strategy, analytics, and operational improvement. Kevin and his wife Mariann have two adult children and one grandchild, and live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In addition to its executive leadership, the Board also welcomes four new board members this summer, including Melinda Black, Brittany Cabuno, Maureen Collins and Meghan Howard.
The new members joining the board will fill vacancies created as other board terms come to an end. Mary Blades, Courtney Caliendo and Peggy Collins will each be rotating off the board after years of service.
Mary Blades is a committed historian and has been a leader in the scleroderma community for more than 25 years.
Courtney Caliendo has been a leader of the Foundation’s awareness, advocacy and branding efforts for the last six years.
Peggy Collins has been instrumental in elevating the profile of our thirteen chapters. In addition to chairing the Chapter Leadership Council and our Upper Great Lakes Chapter, Peggy also serves as a Support Group Facilitator.
“The entire community extends its deepest gratitude to those board members whose terms end this summer,” Mary Wheatley said. “They have each been beacons for our community, shining a light on the path forward for the scleroderma community.”
The Board of Directors plays a critical role in ensuring the Foundation remains an efficient, transparent charitable organization that can continue to advance its mission in service of the scleroderma community. You can learn more about these all members of the board at https://scleroderma.org/board-of-directors/.