Local Leadership

Alabama

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Alaska

Pacific West Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Arizona

Southwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

The purpose of the American Lung Association's Local Leadership Board to is raise the organization's profile in the community, advocate for lung health and increase resources to fund local programs and services.

Local Leadership Board members impact the work of the Association, including programs and services, public policy, research, and revenue generation.

The American Lung Association's "Gold Standard" designation recognizes the exemplary leadership of some of our Local Leadership Boards. These Leadership Boards show outstanding leadership in volunteerism, service, and supporting lung health and our mission - recognized through Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Karen Bejarano
Board Chair
Vice President - Arizona Branch Operations, CUDE
TrueWest Credit Union

Grant Smedley
Immediate Past Chair
Director, Resource Planning, Acquisition, and Development
SRP

Paloma Beamer, PhD
Director, Community Engagement Core, Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center
Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
University of Arizona

Tim Bender
CEO
PuriFi Labs

Larry Blumenthal, MBA
System VP of Finance/CFO, Physician Enterprise
Common Spirit Health

Christiam Carrillo
Director of Sales
FC Arizona

Julie Colquist, VA-BC, RRT
Vascular Access Specialist Respiratory
Mayo Clinic

Von Doss
VP of Operations, Arizona
Arizona Diagnostic Radiology

Azam Farooqui, MD
Hematology & Oncology Physician
Ironwood Physicians PC

Leah Harrison
Manager, Sustainability Policy and Programs
SRP

Madison Hernandez
US Sales & Methodology Trainer
Boston Scientific

Jeffrey Kenny, MD
Pulmonologist

Gregg Laridis
Account Executive
Swire Coco-Cola

Rees “Chip” L. Lee, MD, FAAP, FCCP
Associate Professor
Pediatric Pulmonologist
University of Arizona / Banner Health

Rammohan Marla, MD, FACS, FACC
Thoracic Surgeon

Jessica Martin, MHA, RRT, RCP
Program Director of Respiratory Care
Carrington College

Peter Nez
Health System Consultant
National Jewish Health

Meenal Patwardhan, MD, MHSA
Vice President - Neurosciences/Eyecare/Specialty, Medical Safety Review, Safety Data Sciences
AbbVie

David Sanderson, MD
Professor of Medicine
Emeritus, Mayo Clinic of Arizona

Arkansas

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

California

Pacific West Regional Board

Greater Bay Area - Leadership Board

Los Angeles - Leadership Board

San Diego - Leadership Board

Colorado

Southwest Regional Board

Colorado Local Leadership Board

The purpose of the American Lung Association's Local Leadership Board is to raise the organization's profile in the community, advocate for lung health, and increase resources to fund local programs and services.

Congratulations for receiving the Bronze Leadership Award this year in recognition of your amazing achievements!

The American Lung Association's "Gold Standard" designation recognizes the exemplary leadership of some of our Local Leadership Boards. These Leadership Boards show outstanding leadership in volunteerism, service, and supporting lung health and our mission - recognized through Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Allen Wentworth
Chair
Account Manager
Tri-anim Health Services

Damian Solorzano
Vice Chair
President
Elevation Health Solutions

Jenifer Kercher
Finance Chair
VP Finance & Operations
American Medical Sales & Rentals

Chris Haworth, Retired
Regional Chair

Matt Bowers
SVP, Marketing & Products
Alterra Mountain Company

Jan Ground
Director, Virtual Care, RETIRED
Kaiser Permanente Colorado

Stuart Horowitz
President & CEO
Institution Insights, LLC

Tricia Hemsky
Vice President of Employer Business Development and Sales
MedeAnalytics

Rick Hurley
Principal
Heirloom Wealth Management

Robbie Lunt
Senior Director of Marketing
Biodesix

Justin Misuraca
Respiratory Sales
Tri-Anim Health Services

Jakob Regalado
Director of Large Group Sales and Account Management
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Dr. Boris Sepesi
Director of General Thoracic Surgery & Thoracic Surgical Oncology
Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Swedish Medical Center

Scott Yenzer
Director
Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources Corp.

Emeritus Board Members:

Kory Christensen
Shareholder
Polsinelli Law Firm

Cindy George
President
American Medical Sales & Rentals

Courtney Hutchison
Market President
The MJ Companies

Dr. Robert Keith
Professor of Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine/ECHCS

Douglas Nathan
President
Alcazar Financial Group

Anya HS Norris
Office of Darryl Traweek
RBC Wealth Management – US

Connecticut

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Delaware

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

District of Columbia

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Florida

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Central Florida Board

Gulf Coast Florida Board

North Florida Board

South Florida Board

Georiga

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Georgia Leadership Board

Hawaii

Pacific West Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Idaho

Pacific West Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Illinois

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Indiana

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Iowa

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Kansas

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Kentucky

Midland States Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Louisiana

Southwest Regional Board

Maine

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Maryland

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Massachusetts

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Michigan

Midland States Regional Board

Michigan Local Leadership Board

Minnesota

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Mississippi

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Missouri

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Montana

Pacific West Regional Board

Nebraska

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Nevada

Southwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

The purpose of the American Lung Association's Local Leadership Board to is raise the organization's profile in the community, advocate for lung health and increase resources to fund local programs and services.

Local Leadership Board members impact the work of the Association including: programs and services, public policy, research, and revenue generation.

The American Lung Association’s “Gold Standard” designation recognizes the exemplary leadership of some of our Local Leadership Boards. These Leadership Boards show outstanding leadership in volunteerism, service, and supporting lung health and our mission – recognized through Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Many thanks to our current Nevada Board of Directors for their outstanding support!

Matthew Grimes, MBA, RT
Board Chair Chief Operating Officer
Desert Radiology

Monica Beasley
President and CEO
The Signature Suite

Michael N. Feder
Member
Dickenson Wright

Mindy Kermes
VP, Sr Relationship Manager
Lexicon Bank

Lisa King
Area VP of National Business Development & Strategy
Gentiva Health Services

Brian Kleven
Nevada Market CFO
Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Brett Lashbrook
Owner & CEO
Las Vegas Lights FC

Bernadette Mae Longo, PhD, RN, CNL
Associate Professor Emerita
University of Nevada-Reno, Orvis School of Nursing
Nevada Nurses Association – President District 1

Dr. Vishisht Mehta MBBS
Director of Interventional Pulmonology, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.
Department Chair of Pulmonology & Teaching Faculty, Mountain View Hospital

Mike Murphy
President
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Nevada

Jamal Parker
Chief Growth Officer
Mass Media Marketing

Chris Quaresma
Rec. Supvr - NLV Parks and Recreation< br/> Department of Parks and Recreation

Bud Schawl
Executive Director
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC)

John (Jack) Smith
Asset Protection Manager
Prada Group

Sarah Sarich
Chief Operating Officer
CardiaCare Rehab & Wellness

Erin Swenson
Chief Operating Officer
Valley Hospital Medical Center

Emeritus Board

New Hampshire

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

New Jersey

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

New Mexico

Southwest Regional Board

New Mexico Local Leadership Board

New York

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Buffalo Leadership Board

The purpose of the American Lung Association's Local Leadership Board to is raise the organization's profile in the community, advocate for lung health and increase resources to fund local programs and services.

Local Leadership Board members impact the work of the Association including: programs and services, public policy, research, and revenue generation.

The American Lung Association’s “Gold Standard” designation recognizes the exemplary leadership of some of our Local Leadership Boards. These Leadership Boards show outstanding leadership in volunteerism, service, and supporting lung health and our mission – recognized through Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Meet our Buffalo Leadership Board and learn more about how you can become part of the local Leadership Board.

Rachel Maloney
Board Chair (2023 – 2025)
Manager, Bus & Special Service Operations
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA-Metro)

Paul Gorman
Vice Chair, Chair Elect (2023 – 2025)
Sr. Executive Clinical Oncology Specialist
AstraZeneca

Patricia Clabeaux
Nominating Chair (2023 – 2025), Immediate Past Chair
Executive Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer
Independent Health

Damien Damperon
Integrated Supply Chain General Manager, Commercial Aircraft Group
Moog Aircraft

April DeArmitt, MBA
Senior Account Executive
AcariaHealth Specialty Pharmacy

Michael Hecker
Attorney/ Partner
Hodgson Russ, LLP

John Katalinas
NEMA Regional Board Representative
Air Quality Services Project Manager
GHD

Michelle McMahon
Founder
Take a Breath for Life Foundation

Amy Moritz
Public Relations Manager
The Martin Group

Adam Stopa
Partner Development Director
Brook Health

Xilei Xu Chen, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Pulmonology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Oishei Children’s Hospital

Sai Yendamuri, MD, MBA, FACS
Chair, Professor; Department of Thoracic Surgery
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Robert Zielinski, MD
Associate Medical Director, Oncologist
Buffalo Medical Group

New York City Leadership Board

LUNG FORCE Walk Leadership Committee

The Leadership Committee is a highly committed team of volunteer leaders dedicated to driving the nation’s largest lung health movement, LUNG FORCE, in NYC and reversing the course of lung cancer and other lung diseases.

By banding together as one FORCE, we will defeat lung disease, improve the lung health of millions, and, ultimately, save lives.

If you are interested in joining the Leadership Committee, please contact Emily Amitin at 917-210-5649 or NYCWalk@Lung.org.

Nina Sclafani, Chair
NS Marketing and Events

Nina Sclafani, Chair of the 2025 LUNG FORCE Walk NYC, is a passionate advocate for community, health, and social impact. As the founder of NS Marketing and Events, she brings over 12 years of experience in marketing, specializing in social impact branding and event marketing. A lifelong resident of the Hauppauge/Smithtown area, her love for her community is reflected in her dedication to supporting local businesses and initiatives across New York and Long Island.

Nina’s involvement with LUNG FORCE is deeply personal. Following the loss of her mother, Karen Cowley, to interstitial lung disease in March 2022, Nina and her sister, Kristen Cowley, founded Team Karen's Kindness to honor their mother's legacy. Over the past three years, their team has raised more than $38,000 for the American Lung Association, embodying the kindness and generosity Karen was known for.

Beyond her professional and philanthropic efforts, Nina is a devoted wife to her husband, Andrew, and a loving mother to their two children, Gwen (6) and Jack (2). She credits her family for their unwavering support and inspiration in her work with the Lung Force Walk.

Nina is deeply honored to serve as Chair of the 2025 LUNG FORCE Walk NYC and is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated Leadership Committee and participants. She believes in the power of community and is committed to advancing the mission of the American Lung Association, helping to create a future free of lung disease.

Shavon Anderson
Time Equities

Shavon Anderson has been a Residential Property Manager for Time Equities, Inc. for the past 18 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Shavon is a Brooklyn girl to the heart where she was born and raised and currently lives with her two cats, Autumn, and Spice. Shavon loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. She also is truly excited to continue on her journey as a member of the Metro NY Leadership Board.

Lenia Batas, LCAT, ATR-BS, CCLS
Maimonides Health

Lenia Batas has a dual master’s degree from Pratt Institute in Creative Arts Therapies and Special Education. Lenia is a licensed, board-certified Art Therapist and Certified Child Life Specialist. Lenia has received additional facilitator training in Neonatal and Pediatric Bereavement, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Team STEPPS, Planetree Patient Centered Care, Tobacco Treatment Specialist and has a Level 3 certification in Aromatherapy. Lenia has over 25 years’ experience as a healthcare leader overseeing Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy and Patient and Family Centered Care Services in pediatric and adult patient populations. In the last five years, Lenia has focused on employee wellness and developed Healing Arts programming and a staff rapid response program- Team Lavender Peer Support. Lenia is currently the Cancer Screening Program Manager at Maimonides Medical Center and oversees community outreach and educational programming to improve cancer screening and health disparities in her Brooklyn community.

Joanne Duckman
IPG Health

Joanne is passionate about lung health and is committed to making a change which has driven her to be a part of this important work. Joanne is the Global Systems Solutions Director for IPG Health and has worked for the company for almost 20 years. She has a BA from Michigan State University and holds several certifications in group cycling. She has sat on committees at the American Cancer Society and started a non-profit charity event in honor of a close friend. Joanne is excited to be a part of this team.

Anirudh Kumeria
Cipla

Anirudh Kumeria is a distinguished marketing and sales professional with a remarkable 19-year tenure in the global pharmaceutical industry, focusing primarily on respiratory health. As the Head Marketing - New Products & Respiratory, Retail Business at Cipla USA, Anirudh has been instrumental in bringing groundbreaking respiratory treatments to market, including the much-acclaimed Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol Generic in the US.

His journey in the pharmaceutical sector began with Intas Pharmaceuticals and swiftly progressed through various leading companies like Ranbaxy, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and currently, Cipla USA Inc. His roles have consistently centered around respiratory portfolio management globally, new product launches, and driving innovation in marketing strategies.

Educationally fortified with a bachelor’s in pharmacy and MBA, Anirudh's expertise is backed by solid academic credentials. His approach combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for enhancing patient care, particularly in respiratory health.

A recipient of numerous accolades, Anirudh's contributions have been recognized for their significant impact on healthcare.

Celebrated for his global perspective, Anirudh continues to be a vital force in shaping the future of respiratory health care and pharmaceutical marketing.

Karen Richardson-Joseph
New York City Law Department

Karen Richardson-Joseph is an attorney who resides with her family in Cambria Heights, New York. After graduating from Brooklyn Law School, she began her legal career with the City of New York. For more than 20 years, she has been a dedicated public servant while working for the City, State, and Public Authority. She is a Deputy Unit Chief in the State Law Defense Unit in the Office of the Corporation Counsel. Despite her demanding schedule, Karen is committed to community service and ensuring that their needs are being met through her involvement in numerous organizations including but not limited to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the National Association of University Women. 

Nancy Rooney
Richmond University Medical Center

Nancy has been a registered nurse for over 44 years, working in various areas of healthcare. Her current role as a Lung nurse navigator and Tobacco trained specialist for the past 10 years. She is currently a certified Oncology nurse navigator.

Over the past 10 years Nancy has been very active in LUNG FORCE Walk and prior to covid the LUNG FORCE expos presenting the dangers of Vaping!

Nancy currently serves as the nurse navigator at Richmond University Medical Center’s lung screening program. Seeing over 500 smokers and former smokers a year. We are making a difference in early-stage lung cancer. Started an Anti-Vaping training program for the high school students here in Staten Island along with American Lung Association and other agencies.

Nancy have always been involved in my Staten Island community. She’s very proud to say she was the president of Snug Harbor little league for 8 years. Mother of 2 grown men and grandmother of 2.

Her motto is Just Breathe.

Jon Rosen
Impact Communications

Jon is founder and president of Impact Communications, the presentation and media training practice serving senior executives and sales professionals since 1980. Before forming Impact Communications, he was an award-winning television news journalist at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, WABC-TV in New York and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He’s been recognized by his fellow journalists with an Emmy nomination, the New York Press Club Feature Award and the International Television Festival of New York Gold Medal.

Jon became a volunteer leader of the American Lung Association at the national, regional and local levels following his father’s death from emphysema in 1980. He served as Board Chair at the American Lung Association of Hudson Valley, NY and the American Lung Association of the Northeast. He received the Volunteer Excellence Award from the nationwide organization and is serving his fifth term as a member of the National Board of Directors, where his primary focus continues to be on fundraising, marketing, media.

Jennifer Toh, MD
ENT & Allergy Associates

Dr. Jennifer Toh is an Allergist and Immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in the Upper West Side of New York City. She is also an Executive Board member and former President of the New York Allergy and Asthma Society. She has been treating patients with allergies and asthma for several years and is excited to join the LUNG FORCE Walk Leadership Committee this year.

Yaru Xie
Hexmodal
New York Lung Cancer Foundation

Ru is a dedicated member of the LUNG FORCE Walk NYC Committee, serving for the third consecutive year as a Co-Captain alongside Dr. Nicholas Rohs, the 2023 Lung FORCE Walk NYC Medal Honoree. She is an Implementation Manager at Hexmodal, where she supports healthcare facility managers in automating compliance using Smart Devices.

Ru earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia University in 2019 and has been actively involved in thoracic oncology since beginning her career at Mount Sinai Hospital. There, she coordinated the Mount Sinai Downtown Thoracic Tumor Board and contributed to its evolution into the Thoracic Tumor and Pulmonary Nodule Conference. Since 2020, Ru has also played a key role in organizing the New York Lung Cancer Foundation Post-ASCO and Post IASLC/EMSO meetings.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Ru enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, baking cookies, reading, and taking walks around the city.

Debra Zimmerman
Atlantic Health

Debra has participated in the LUNG FORCE Walk NYC since 2022. She is a Licensed Respiratory Therapist at Atlantic Health - Newton Hospital and has been a COPD educator since 2017. She sees Newton Hospital’s in-house COPD, Pneumonia, smoking/vaping patients, performs Pulmonary Function Testing, runs their Quit smoking class and their monthly Better Breathers support group meeting.

Debra was voted as Respiratory Therapist of the year for the state of New Jersey in October 2023. She has had family members with lung cancer and sees many patients who have been diagnosed with it.

North Carolina

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

North Carolina Leadership Board

North Dakota

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Management Team

Local Leadership Board

Ohio

Midland States Regional Board

South-Central Ohio Columbus/Cincinnati

Cleveland Leadership Board

Oklahoma

Southwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Oregon

Pacific West Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Pennsylvania

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Philadelphia Leadership Board

Pittsburgh Leadership Board

Rhode Island

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

The purpose of the American Lung Association's Local Leadership Board to is raise the organization's profile in the community, advocate for lung health and increase resources to fund local programs and services.

The American Lung Association’s “Gold Standard” designation recognizes the exemplary leadership of some of our Local Leadership Boards. These Leadership Boards show outstanding leadership in volunteerism, service, and supporting lung health and our mission – recognized through Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Meet our members and learn more about how you can become part of the local Leadership Board.

Julie Andoscia
Board Chair (2023-2025)
Sr. Biologic Sales Specialist
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

Janet A. Peters, M.A.
Vice Chair, Chair Elect (2023-2025)
Associate Director of Academic Tutoring
Associate Dean of Curricular Support
Brown University

Regina Bartlett
Research Administrator
Ocean State Research Institute, Inc.

Angela Butler, BIS, RRT-NPS, CPFT, AE-C, NCTTP
Health Advocate RRT/COPD
Ambulatory Care Transitions/Clinical Integration
Lifespan, Rhode Island Hospital & Miriam Hospital

Michael T. Crawley, CPA, MBA, MST
Partner
Citrin Cooperman

Brenda Figueroa
Senior Grant & Contract Administrator
Office of Sponsored Projects, Brown University

Anthea Gomes
Talent Growth and Development Leader
Deloitte Tax

Jennifer Hyde
Vice President, Director of Marketing Communication
BankNewport

Hina Khan, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Brown University, Warren Alpert School of Medicine

Linda Mendonça, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, NCSN, FNASN
Assistant Professor, Community/Public Health Nursing
Rhode Island College School of Nursing

Erin Mooney
Director of Membership Engagement & Programming
Greater Providence Board and Northern Rhode Island Board of REALTORS

Kelsey Theroux
Senior Retail Operations Representative
Navigant Credit Union

Hamid Torabzadeh
Student Ambassador
Brown University

Peter N. Woodberry, Ph.D.
Dean, Emeritus
Community College of Rhode Island

South Carolina

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

South Carolina Leadership Board

South Dakota

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Management Team

Local Leadership Board

Tennessee

Midland States Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Texas

Southwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Utah

Southwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Vermont

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Local Leadership Board

Virginia

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Washington

Pacific West Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

West Virginia

Southeast Regional Leadership Board

Wisconsin

Upper Midwest Regional Board

Local Leadership Board

Wyoming

Pacific West Regional Board

Join the Patient & Caregiver Network

How to Help People Quit

10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air

State of the Air Key Findings

Become an Advocate

Join a LUNG FORCE Walk

Double Your Gift

Local and Regional Leadership

Alabama

Board Members

Alaska

2023 Regional Board of Directors

Arizona

Board of Directors

Arkansas

Board Members

California

2023 Regional Board of Directors

Colorado

Board of Directors

Emeritus Board Members:

Connecticut

FY23 Board of Directors

Delaware

FY23 Board of Directors

District of Columbia

FY23 Board of Directors

Florida

Board Members

Georiga

Board Members

Hawaii

2023 Regional Board of Directors

Idaho

2023 Regional Board of Directors

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Board of Directors

Maine

FY23 Board of Directors

Maryland

FY23 Board of Directors

Massachusetts

FY23 Board of Directors

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Board Members

Missouri

Montana

2023 Regional Board of Directors

Nebraska

Nevada

Board of Directors

New Hampshire

FY23 Board of Directors

New Jersey

FY23 Board of Directors

New Mexico

Board of Directors

New York

FY23 Board of Directors

North Carolina

Board Members

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Board of Directors

Oregon

2023 Regional Board of Directors

Pennsylvania

Board Members

Executive Advisors to the board:

Rhode Island

FY23 Board of Directors

South Carolina