Exciting News!

Dear FOP Community Members,

On behalf of the IFOPA’s Board of Directors, I am writing to share exciting news. We are delighted to inform you that after an extensive national executive search process, we have selected Michelle Davis-Wingate as the IFOPA’s new Executive Director, effective today. You can read our official press release here.

The IFOPA has been in a long arc of transition following the retirement of Jeannie Peeper, our founder and long-time leader. Recent years have brought exponential leaps forward in our prospects for a treatment, thanks to the hard work of the many families, researchers, and IFOPA leaders who guided the organization in its first 25 years. Now, in the dynamic and evolving era of clinical trials, we are facing increased demands on the community and the IFOPA as an organization. We must rise to the demands of clinical research without losing sight of our roots as a member-based support organization.  Through our strategic planning process, it became clear that hiring an Executive Director would be a critical step forward.

We are delighted to have found Michelle. She brings deep experience in nonprofit leadership and an extensive background in fund development. When you get to know her, I think you will find her to be warm, engaging, and thoughtful. We are confident that Michelle’s experience, enthusiasm, and engaging personality are a great match for the work, staff, and supporters of the IFOPA. Together with our Board of Directors, membership, donors, and research partners, she will continue to advance our dual mission to find a cure while supporting families.

Michelle resides in Kansas City, Missouri and will remain there, overseeing the IFOPA’s Florida headquarters remotely. She is married with five children and enjoys attending her children’s activities and cooking.

I hope you will join me and the Board of Directors in welcoming Michelle to our organization.

Sincerely,

Chair, IFOPA Board of Directors