Board of Trustees

Dr. Silas Norman was born and educated in Detroit. He attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating with a degree in psychology. Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Norman worked for two years for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan as a foster care worker. He then attended Wayne State University School of Medicine, graduating with honors, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

William Schuyler was formerly the vice president of government relations for GlaxoSmithKline. Schuyler was responsible for overseeing the company's government relations activities before both the state and federal governments. He also oversaw GSK's work with patient and professional organizations.

Maureen is a leader in the life sciences industry including executive roles in biotech and client service organizations. She is currently CEO at PRE Commercial, a marketing consultancy that advises early-stage life science organizations on market development.

Dr. Jamie Green received her undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and her nephrology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh where she also obtained her Master of Science in Medical Education.

John Hanley is a Managing Director at UBS Private Wealth Management in Washington, DC., where his team advises Ultra High Net Worth individuals and select non-profit organizations.

Pam McNamara is CEO and co-founder of Health Helm, Inc., a Boston-based mobile software company supporting Patient Reported Outcomes and engagement to improve outcomes and reduce costs through better care coordination and communications with physicians and clinicians.

Frances Ashe-Goins is a mom and was previously caregiver for her daughter who lived with kidney failure for more than 20 years. Though she is a registered nurse and health educator, "mom mode" kicked in when she learned her daughter had an issue with her kidneys.

Dr. Kenneth R. Bridges received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and subsequently trained in internal medicine and hematology in Boston, at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospitals, respectively.

Oliver Tate Brooks, M.D. received his undergraduate degree in biology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, graduating in three years.  While at Morehouse, he received the Frederick E. Mapp Prize in Biology for excellence in biology. Dr. Brooks received his medical degree in 1981 from Howard University College of Medicine, where he was a summer instructor in biochemistry. 

Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, the first woman to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands, a multi-island territory in the eastern Caribbean. During her tenure, Christensen, the first female medical doctor to serve in Congress, focused on improving the living conditions and economic opportunities on the Islands, especially where they intersected with federal issues.

Mike Flood is a managing director at Northleaf Capital Partners, a global private markets investment firm with more than $18 billion of private equity, private credit and infrastructure commitments under management.

Jerry Klepner is Immediate Past Chair of the American Kidney Fund (AKF) Board of Trustees.

Klepner is a specialist in health care, human services and labor relations and is CEO of JK Consulting. He was managing director and head of the health care practice at Prime Policy Group for 13 years before retiring from the firm and forming JK Consulting.

Brian Krex is the General Counsel of Clover Biopharmaceuticals where he has global responsibility for all legal matters affecting the company.

Lydia is a small business owner and the mother of four, including both a kidney donor and a kidney transplant recipient.  Her family has been greatly impacted by genetic kidney disease.

John directs all of Tax Analysts' financial activities, including the preparation of financial reports and forecasting of business growth. John worked for more than 20 years as the CFO of a major nonprofit and 15 years as a senior manager in the audit and consulting divisions of a Big Four firm. 

Lisa Robin is the Chief Advocacy Officer for the Federation of State Medical Boards and oversees the FSMB's Washington, D.C office.

Andrew Shore is a founding partner of JST Strategies, LLC. Previously, he was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Mayer Brown LLP and chief of staff for the House Republican Conference, where he was one of the senior advisors to the Congressional Leadership, a position that earned him accolades on the Hill and has led to regular quotes and appearances in the media since moving to the private sector.

Katie is currently the CFO at Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), one of the largest not-for-profit organizations in the United States. In this capacity, Katie is responsible for financial administration, accounting and reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash management, among other functions.

Marsha Stanton is a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration and Education, a Master of Science in Health & Human Services, and a PhD in Health Services Administration and Education. 

Melanie Turieo is a Partner at PA Consulting Group where she leads the Product Development business for their Healthcare & Life Sciences division.  Melanie is a Human-Centered Design expert with over 25 years' experience in the design and development of regulated medical products.

Priscilla VanderVeer is a Vice President of Public Affairs at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade association representing America's research-based biopharmaceutical companies.

Heidi L. Wagner, J.D., is a senior biotechnology executive focused with an established expertise in health policy, pricing and reimbursement and patient advocacy.  Wagner currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Meter Health, an early stage biotech company focused on therapies for respiratory arrhythmias. 

Gail Wick serves is as Trustee Emeritus of the American Kidney Fund (AKF) Board of Trustees. She is also an AKF representative for Kidney Care Partners (KCP) and serves on the Community Advisory Committee for Highland-Cashiers Hospital in North Carolina.

LaVarne Addison Burton is President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Kidney Fund (AKF), a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to fight kidney disease and help people live healthier lives. Ms. Burton has led AKF since 2005.