New Faces Lead the Way for the Foundation
At the September meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board elected a new slate of Officers who will each serve a two-year term. Joe Vollert, who has served as Chair of the Jack McGovern Coats' Disease Foundation for the past two years will now serve as Immediate Past Chair. His leadership and dedication to the Foundation have helped move us closer to our goals and kept us steadfast in our efforts to raise funds to support research, raise awareness, expand patient resources, and offer all Coats’ Disease patients hope and improvements as they wage a lifelong battle against Coats’ Disease and blindness. As his term as Chair comes to an end, we would like to recognize the impact he has had on our Foundation. Under his leadership, the Foundation is funding three new research projects and his goal of organizing volunteers to raise awareness and funds for research in their local communities and to provide support to Coats' families around the world has been realized with the Coats' Ambassador Network. Thank you, Joe, for all you have done and continue to do for Coats' patients around the world!
As we usher in a new era of leadership, we couldn't be more excited to announce the new Chair and Vice Chair. Coats' Disease Mom, Negar Souza, has served as the Vice Chair for the past two years and seamlessly moves into the role of Chair, where her talents, passion, and dedication will continue to move the Foundation closer to our goals over the next two years. Negar shared her goals for the Foundation at this year's Golf Tournament.
We are also pleased to announce that Jack McGovern, the Foundation's eponymous Founding Board Member, has been elected to the role of Vice Chair. Jack has grown up with this Foundation and is poised to take on more responsibility and leadership to help other Coats' patients and further the Foundation's mission. Please see the Board of Directors' biographical statements learn more about the Board's leadership.
Welcome, Ali Comer, to the Board of Directors!
In addition to the new Officers, we are pleased to welcome new board member, Alison Comer!
Alison Comer is a proud Colorado Native. As a Data Analyst for Denver Public Schools, she is responsible for accurate reporting of all district student data to the Colorado Department of Education. Before joining DPS Alison worked at her alma mater, University of Northern Colorado, for the Alumni Foundation and Donor Relations office as an Annual Giving Manager.
Alison is the proud parent of Mason, who is four years old and is living with Coats’ Disease. She and Mason were first introduced to the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation in 2018 when Alison pushed Mason’s pediatrician to schedule extensive hearing and vision tests at Children’s Hospital Colorado. This led to Mason’s first surgery and the correct diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. In the few years since that initial diagnosis, Mason has had eleven surgeries. Alison has benefitted from the support of the Foundation and she has grown very involved in the Foundation’s work as a member of the Coats’ Ambassador Network (CAN).
Alison is passionate about event planning, relationship building, and raising awareness of Coats’ Disease. She works to educate folks in her immediate community and at the state level through outreach to legislators. Through the Coats’ Ambassador Network, she supports patients and their families worldwide. She has found her true passion in the mission of the Foundation.
Alison is overjoyed to be a part of the Foundation’s Board, as she knows the importance of the information, comfort, and support provided to patients and their families, in what are often very dark days. She looks forward to the day when the Foundation’s work will lead to a cure for Coats’ Disease.
