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.

Guy Eakin, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific and Medical Officer

Guy Eakin, Ph.D., joined NPF in 2023. Guy Eakin, Ph.D., provides vision, leadership, and overall management of the mission-related efforts in research and medical programs. Dr. Eakin brings his experience working for nonprofits in a range of neurologic, metabolic, and immune-related conditions, including leading more than $139 million in research programs.

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 nonprofit leader and executive coach, bringing over 25 years of global leadership and fundraising to NPF. She lives with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) 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. He 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.

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.

Jennifer O’Connor

Vice President of Advancement

Jennifer O’Connor joined NPF in 2023. Her role includes major gift and planned giving strategies, including maintaining donor relationships.

Krystal Adkins

Director of Field Development & National Special Events

Krystal Adkins joined NPF in 2022. She is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the NPF special event fundraising initiatives across the country.

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

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®.

George Gondo, M.A.

Director of Patient Centered Research

George Gondo, M.A., joined NPF in 2019. He is responsible for NPF’s patient-centered research programs, including NPF surveys of the psoriatic patient community, and oversees NPF's Chronic Disease Education and Awareness grant with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Board of Directors

The National Psoriasis Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of members who are volunteers from the community.

Meet the Board Members