GBS CIDP FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL - Key Persons
Alex joined the foundation in January of 2022. He graduated from Eastern University with a Master's in Business Administration in 2017 and has recently obtained his Salesforce Administrator Certification. After working as an Admissions Director, Alex gained an immense appreciation for developing business processes and utilizing Salesforce to its highest capacity. He plans to bring that passion to the foundation and help reach as many people as possible.
Besides being a data nerd, Alex enjoys spending his time traveling, cooking, and being terrible at fantasy football.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Advisory Committee
My name is Angela Patton and I was diagnosed with CIDP in May of 2017 at the age of 21. When I started showing symptoms, doctors struggled to find an accurate diagnoses for about eight months. During those eight months, I was barley able to walk which strongly impacted my educational and professional life. Throughout my journey with CIDP, I have been on various treatments including, steriods, IVIg, physical therapies, and most recently SubQ-Ig.
Here I am now, four years later, able to walk, hike, and continue my professional life. It has taken a lot of time, patience, and hard work to get to where I am today. One of my biggest passions is helping patients navigate the changes illness can cause.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager of Research and Advocacy
Chelsey comes to GBS-CIDP Foundation International as the Advocacy Manager. She previously held the title of Associate Director, Industry and Government Relations at another rare disease patient advocacy organization. Chelsey brings 4 ½ years of experience in working with rare disease patient communities to advocate to the federal and state government for research funding and fair healthcare regulations. Chelsey holds an MPH degree from Temple University, and is passioniate about the relationship between research, policy/laws, and the community. In her spare time, Chelsey loves reading mystery/thriller novels and walking her American Bulldog, Moose.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- YTA Medical Advisor
Estelle Benson graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a BS degree in Education. A member of Pi Mu Honor Society, she also received the American Association of University Women Award for Outstanding Service to Temple. In 1978 Estelle earned a Master of Arts degree in School Administration from Villanova University. After teaching for over three decades, Estelle retired as a school administrator from the School District of Philadelphia. She became a co-founder of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome Foundation International in 1980 after her husband, Robert, was stricken with the condition. She is the Founder of the organization and serves on the Board of the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
Estelle is past president of the board of the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University, a member of the Sounding Board, the Conwell Society and a member of the General Alumni Board of Directors of the University. She received the "Certificate of Honor" award from Temple University in 2000 and the Founder's Award from the Graduate Alumni Society of the Arts and Sciences at Villanova University in 2003. She has two married sons and four grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Development Associate
- the Marketing and Development Associate
Hope Carter joined the GBS|CIDP Foundation in June 2021 as the Marketing and Development Associate. Hope's passion lies in connecting individuals to a large community to make sure that no person feels alone with GBS, CIDP, MMN or variants. As the Marketing and Development Associate Hope supports communications between members, as well as social media communications.
Hope graduated from Ithaca College with an BA in the Arts and in her free time enjoys oil painting and working in graphic design.
"I love my job! Aside from working on a team with a truly amazing staff, my favorite part of my job is connecting with our members. I love being able to create content that benefit the community I serve. If I can share information that can help just one person, then it was a great day!"
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Foundation Officers Team
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Foundation Officers Team
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- YTA Physical Therapist
Kathryn Weller started with the GBS-CIDP foundation in May 2019 as the Development Assistant. She has a BA in Business with a concentration in Management from California State University Fullerton. She brings her experience in computer data entry and management to her new role. In joining the Foundation she looks forward to working in the non-profit world and making a difference for patients with GBS-CIDP. She moved from Orange, CA, with her husband Shawn and son Logan, for a fresh start in PA. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
"I love listening to the donors story and why they want to give back to the Foundation. The support and resources the Foundation provides patients and their families with are very helpful in their time of need."
Job Titles:
- University of Texas Health Sciences
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Engagement
Kelly McCoy joined the foundation in August of 2015. She attended West Chester University and worked in corporate financial marketing until being diagnosed with CIDP in the spring of 2014. Once able to manage the disease and return to the workforce she sought the opportunity to offer assistance to those also affected by CIDP. She also looks very forward to connecting with patients and providing a first-hand resource and means of support for those living with CIDP as well as their loved ones.
Kelly currently resides in Conshohocken, PA and enjoys the outdoors, sports, cooking and enjoying time with friends, family, and daughter, Ava.
"When I was first diagnosed with CIDP in 2014 I felt so alone. In finding the foundation I have found a family and purpose. It is my greatest honor to be a part of this community and to work with this phenomenal staff."
Lisa Butler officially joined the Foundation staff in December, 2013. She first learned of the Foundation in 1992 when her father-in-law was diagnosed with GBS. Ten years later, Lisa's son, Stuart, was diagnosed with GBS. Following Stuart's recovery, Lisa became the parent Liaison for the Foundation for "parents with children diagnosed with GBS".
Lisa maintains a BA in English in addition to having a ten-year career in marketing and event planning for nonprofits. Prior to assuming her position as Executive Director, in 2015, Lisa managed the Foundation's marketing and development programs. She was recently recognized by Patient Services, Inc. (PSI) with the 2016 Extraordinary Support Award.
Lisa, and her husband Tom - a mergers and acquisitions specialist - have one college-aged son and two sons in high school. They most enjoy spending time at their sons' many athletic activities.
Lori Basiege has extensive experience with both administrative support and GBS. Lori contracted GBS at the age of 19 during her freshman year at Penn State University, and has since made a full recovery. She enjoys the simple things in life, like sitting under a tree and reading a good book.
Madeline joined the GBS-CIDP family in January 2019 as the Development Manager. She has a passion for advancing the mission of rare disease organizations by fostering relationships with its community. She worked with several national and regional non-profits, most recently as the Director of Development for the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types (FIRST). She lives in Harleysville, PA with her husband Brady and son Caleb. She enjoys traveling, baking and taking her dog Linus for a long walk.
"I love meeting our community members and learning about their journey and desire to help others in a similar situation. Our members are truly an inspiration to everyone at the Foundation."
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Programs and Marketing
Maureen joined GBS|CIDP as the Director of Marketing and Communications in December of 2017. She has previously held the position of Director of Marketing and Communications for FIRST, the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types, where her primary role was to advance FIRST's brand as the leader in ichthyosis patient advocacy and broaden awareness of the Foundation's programs, research and advocacy initiatives. Her fifteen year career in marketing and communications includes the development of traditional and digital marketing content for the healthcare, retail and higher education sectors. Maureen has a unique knack for creative writing and developing "patient stories" that educate, motivate, and inspire. She lives in Skippack with her 3 loveable dogs, and her husband Jerry. She enjoys fiction and playwriting and in 2011 & 2017 received public readings of her work at Playcrafters Theater, Skippack, PA.
"I love working at the Foundation because of the unique culture of comradery and compassion amongst volunteers, staff, and physicians. It is more than a community, it is a great big family, and it is a true honor to be a part of it!"
Job Titles:
- Associate Manager of Programs and Marketing
Meg Mains started with the foundation in January 2019 as the Event and Programs Associate. She has a BA in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising from Alvernia University. She will be bringing her knowledge of communications and event management to her role at the GBS-CIDP Foundation. In joining the Foundation, Meg looks forward to connecting with patients and families who have been affected by GBS-CIDP. She enjoys the beach, sports, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog Boomer.
"I love connecting with patients and listening to their stories! Whether it is during our in-person events, virtual coffee chats, Teen and Young Adult Zoom Hangouts, or social media. I feel so fortunate to be able to reach our community in so many different ways."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- YTA Spokesperson
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Patient Engagement Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Walk & Roll Associate Manager
Pam joins us with over 20 years of experience in various administrative and office management positions. Pam enjoys being outdoors, gardening, and spending time with her two teenagers. Feel free to drop her a line and say hello! Pamela.franks@gbs-cidp.org.
"It is humbling and equally rewarding having the opportunity to reach out and work with our community on a daily basis, seeing first-hand and knowing that we are truly helping and making a difference and a lasting impact on our patients and their families living with GBS|CIDP and other variants, like MMN. It gives me a sense of meaning and motivates me to do the best I can.
Each day, I get to work with amazing people. My colleagues are so inspiring and awesome…working everyday towards making our patient's lives better. Working for the Foundation feels like I am working with family…we are family."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Foundation Officers Team
- Vice President of International Activities
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Foundation Officers Team
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors