Los Angeles, CA (February 1, 2021) – The Celiac Disease Foundation, the nation’s leading patient advocacy organization for celiac disease, announces the appointment of officers to its Board of Directors. The new appointments are Chair Adrienne Bender, Vice President at Alternatives Investment Solution, division of State Street Corporation, and Vice Chair John Wagner, Executive Vice President of First 5 LA. Treasurer James J. Watson of Park West Asset Management and Secretary Bradley J. Herrema of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck were reappointed to their positions.
Reappointed for the 2021-2022 term are Directors Christopher J. Holland, Bradley J. Herrema, Jordan Ramer, James J. Watson, and Yasith Weerasuriya. Continuing their terms are Adrienne Bender, John Wagner, Courtney de Balmann, Lee Jones, Jamie Resin, Rhonda Resnick, Linda Solomon, and Kristin Yarema, PhD.
New appointee as Director is Warren Saft, Managing Director at Brownstone Investment Group.
Adrienne Bender has been a volunteer for the Celiac Disease Foundation since 2012 when her son was diagnosed with celiac disease at age three. His diagnosis inspired her to get involved in the celiac disease community and serve as a support contact. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Celiac Disease Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award, joining the Board of Directors thereafter. Bender has been a consummate Director, hosting the CDF Annual Turkey Trot in Princeton, New Jersey, and cohosting the annual New York Golf Outing.
“I am honored to serve as Celiac Disease Foundation’s board chair. I have had a long-standing relationship with the Foundation going back to my son’s diagnosis in 2012,” stated Bender. “I am excited for the future as we drive forward the Foundation’s mission to accelerate treatments and a cure for celiac disease through strategic investments in research, education, and advocacy. We are at a critical juncture in celiac disease research and I am incredibly proud of the work the Foundation continues to do despite the current pandemic.”
Bender has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Franklin and Marshall College. She has a strong background in fundraising and has brought inspiration and expertise to the Celiac Disease Foundation Development Committee. Bender resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young children.
Warren Saft became passionate about celiac disease when a close family member was diagnosed with the disease. Since then, he has become an active member in the celiac disease community. Saft’s financial acumen and innovative ideas will serve to strengthen future operations and strategy. Saft holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University. He was part of Cornell’s first graduating class in the Financial Engineering concentration. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
To view biographies of Celiac Disease Foundation directors, click here.
About the Celiac Disease Foundation.
The Celiac Disease Foundation is the nation’s leading patient advocacy organization for celiac disease. Since its founding in 1990, the Celiac Disease Foundation continues to champion many battles: federal funding for celiac disease research and labeling standards for gluten-free foods, widespread patient and provider education, access to mainstream gluten-free products, improved diagnostic tools, and accelerated development of therapeutic treatments and a cure. For more information, visit celiac.org.