Dr. Tandua Washington has been a practicing, Board-Certified Pediatrician for 16 years and has developed a strong foundation of all operations of medical practice. Within the last 8 years, she has demonstrated proficiency in practicing sound, evidence-based medicine in an integrated healthcare delivery model that consistently earns awards for customer service and NCQA Quality Measures. In addition, she is an advocate for those living with Sickle Cell Disease. She is heavily committed to volunteer work within the Sickle Cell Community, including motivational and educational seminars and grass-roots efforts to improve the care for those suffering with this disease. Online profile

Gary A. Gibson has accumulated forty years of successful business and management experience during a career that includes various positions of authority in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. His work in the public sector has given him the opportunity to be a two-time recipient of the state of Indiana's highest honor, the "Sagamore of the Wabash." His work in all sectors has given him the opportunity to learn a lot about people and the many needs that we all have, both individually and collectively.   Specialties: -Experienced executive with a track record of success in high level positions -Proficient communicator with strong persuasion and negotiating abilities -Collaborative team leader with proven team building skills -Effective Marketer with proven abilities to solve customer needs -Concerned citizen with a solid history of community involvement -Published author -Radio Show Host (Sickle Cell Action Network) Online profile

Dr. Karen Proudford is President of the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, Inc. (WEPSCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sickle cell disease, disseminating information about the disease and bringing hope to those who suffer from its devastating effects. The organization, which is named after her father, supports state-of-the-art treatment and research, organizes activities for families affected by sickle cell and works in collaboration with community-based organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to advocate for heightened visibility, improved care, and increased funding. The WEPSCF’s annual event recognizes parents, health care professionals, public officials, schools, media outlets and other stakeholders who advance the cause of sickle cell awareness. The WEPSCF has given major donations to the Nemours duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware (2011), and the Sickle Cell Center for Adults at Johns Hopkins (2014) and is currently supporting Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Dr. Proudford has served as a member of the Maryland Statewide Committee on Services for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease, is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross – Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region Blood Services Division, and is currently a member of the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board. In 2017, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Leadership at the Roland B. Scott Symposium, Howard University. Online profile

Cassandra Trimnell founded and is standing executive director of Sickle Cell 101, a non-profit organization that specializes in sickle cell education primarily through the use of social media. Trimnell is certified by the Department of Public Health as a Sickle Cell Educator and is responsible for creating the educational material and curriculum disseminated by Sickle Cell 101. This curriculum is targeted to a wide-ranged audience, providing comprehensive and easy to learn material about sickle cell disease and trait. Sickle Cell 101’s educational material is accessed by users from over 72 countries and reaches users by the tens of thousands. Education targets include sickle cell patient population and the general public. Trimnell has a Bachelor’s in Global Studies — Social, Political and Economic Development from Sonoma State University, California. In her free time, Trimnell volunteers her time to other sickle cell organizations. Her passion for sickle cell advocacy and education stems from her living with sickle cell disease. Online profile

Leroy Hughes, Jr. joined Public Justice in March 2020. Leroy’s primary responsibility includes oversight of operations, information and technology as well as administrative services supporting the organization’s east and west coast offices. Prior to joining Public Justice, Leroy Hughes, Jr was the Vice President of Operations at Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. He was responsible for operational, administrative and staff management of the organization. Mr. Hughes received his BA degree from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration from Troy State University. Mr. Hughes has also been honored with many achievements in the non-profit and business community including “Who’s Who in Washington DC”. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Online profile

Carla Lewis is dedicated mother, wife and sickle cell advocate. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from York College in Queens, New York. She also completed a Nonprofit Management Certification Program at the University of Central Florida. She is a Certified Hemoglobinopathy Counselor. She is currently a graduate student at Liberty University majoring in Public Health Administration. Carla serves on the parent advisory board at Nemours Children’s Hospital and actively works in many leadership roles. After relocating to Orlando from New York, Carla birthed a precious son diagnosed with sickle cell disease in 2002. Carla is the President & Founder of Kids Conquering Sickle Cell Disease Foundation in Orlando, Florida established in 2014. Carla is also co- founder and the director of the Young Adult Sickle Cell Alliance established in 2016. She is committed to providing advocacy and education until a universal cure is present for hemoglobin disorders. Online profile

Hailing from Pittsburg, PA, Michael L. Matthews is Executive Director for the Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. His passion for those suffering with sickle cell disease (SCD) is fueled by a deep hope that there will be a universal cure for SCD and until there is, the need remains to support efforts that result in safer, more widely available therapies and drugs for treatment. Under his executive leadership, Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation assists those with sickle cell disease and their families and help them face the educational, social, and economic challenges caused by the disease using a collaborative approach and commitment to community awareness, education, and advocacy. Michael is also a Research Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh working with the Hematology/Oncology Departments of Children’s Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Adult Sickle Cell Program. There his expertise helps both the pediatric and adult populations. Online profile

Terri M. Booker, Esquire, is a dedicated advocate for the disenfranchised. Ms. Booker received her undergraduate degree in economics from Loyola University of Maryland , and her Juris Doctor from The University of Pace School of Law. During her time at Pace, she served on the board of The Black Law Student Association. She has worked both in her professional and personal life to help people seek justice within the Philadelphia community. Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, Ms. Booker has worked with various nonprofits to help dispense justice. In 1994, Ms. Booker was diagnosed with Sickle Cell. Sickle cell is a genetic blood disorder. Blood cells are normally circular but with sickle cell, blood cells are shaped like sickles. Those sickle cells can get stuck in any place where blood flows and cause pain. She is an active sickle cell advocate and has spoken at various national conferences and conventions around the United States. Terri hopes to unite all sickle cell patients and community based organizations across the globe to effect world change for the sickle cell community. She serves as co-founder of the Young Adult Sickle Cell Alliance and mentors sickle cell patients in her local region. Online profile

Emily is a pediatric social worker at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Online profile

Dr. Alexis Thompson is currently the Hematology Section Head at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Illinois. She holds the A. Watson and Sarah Armour Endowed Chair for Blood Diseases and Cancer at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In her present position, she is an investigator on multi-center trials as well as her own institutional clinical studies in thalassemia, sickle cell disease and hemophilia. Dr. Thompson is also the Associate Director for Equity and Minority Health at the Lurie Cancer Center. Special Interests: Hox A11 gene, plalelet disorders, bone marrow failure, thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease​ Research Interests: Sickle cell disease; thalassemia; blood transfusion; iron overload Online profile