Leadership Team
Leah McCormick Howard, J.D.
President and CEO
Leah McCormick Howard, J.D., joined the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2012. She has lived with psoriasis for 21 years and has more than two decades of experience working with national health and disability organizations, local governments, and leading health care and research institutions. Over the last decade, Howard has empowered people with psoriatic disease to share their challenges with policymakers at the state and federal level, as well as with regulators, and health agency management. This led to a number of improvements for the community including more than 40 new state laws improving access to treatment.
Jennifer Fagerstrom
Chief Revenue Officer
Jennifer Fagerstrom, CFRE, joined NPF in 2021. She is responsible for the vision, leadership, and overall management of NPF’s revenue-producing initiatives. She is a seasoned non-profit leader and executive coach, bringing over 25 years of global leadership and fundraising to NPF. She lives with psoriatic arthritis and is keenly attuned to the journey that many with psoriasis and PsA have experienced.
Ron Goldsman
Chief Financial Officer
Ron Goldsman joined NPF in 2022. Ron provides vision, leadership, and overall management of financial operations and accounting practices for NPF and oversees and manages the Finance & Operations department and staff. He brings a financial and accounting background and over 18 years of progressive leadership experience, including in the nonprofit sector.
M. René Islas
Chief of Staff
M. René Islas joined NPF in 2022. He collaborates with the executive team, department heads and Board of Directors to support improvements in NPF systems and processes, to identify and pursue strategic opportunities and as a representative of the CEO.
Breanna Baer
Vice President of Field Development & Operations
Breanna Baer joined NPF in 2022. She is responsible for NPF’s field-based activities and strategy, including outreach for patient and professional engagement.
Andrea Clay
Vice President of Corporate Relations
Andrea Clay joined NPF in 2021. Her role includes overseeing business development and strategic alliances for NPF.
Jason Harris
Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy
Jason Harris joined NPF in 2022. He is responsible for directing the overall supervision, planning, organization, and coordination of all aspects of the advocacy program.
Sarah Buchanan
Director of Federal Government Relations & Health Policy
Sarah Buchanan joined NPF in 2022. She is responsible for developing policies and resources to advocate on issues of significance to individuals with psoriatic disease.
Bob Friesel, Ph.D.
Director of Research & Medical Affairs
Robert (Bob) Friesel, Ph.D. joined NPF in 2022. He oversees the NPF research grants and fellowships programs and the peer-reviewed Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.
Wade McCarthy
Director of Growth Marketing & Digital Advertising
Wade McCarthy joined NPF in 2017. His role includes partnering with the Marketing & Communications team to support paid advertising and the strategic growth objectives.
Jessica Moran-MacAleese
Director of Individual Giving
Jessica Moran-MacAleese joined NPF in 2020. She is responsible for NPF’s individual giving program, digital fundraising, membership and federated giving.
Jane Slayden
Director of Patient Services
Jane Slayden joined NPF in 2019. She is responsible for the Patient Navigation Center, the outreach department and health education materials.
Katherine Southwick
Director of Marketing & Communications
Katherine Southwick joined NPF in 2016. She is responsible for all marketing and communications functions at NPF.
Board of Directors
The National Psoriasis Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of members who are volunteers from the community.