MPNRF announces leadership transition
The MPN Research Foundation (MPNRF) will launch a nationwide search for a new Executive Director following an announcement by Michelle Woehrle, the Foundation’s current Executive Director, that she will be stepping back to spend more time with her young children and family. This change comes at the end of a two-year period of transition since the passing of MPNRF founder Bob Rosen.
During those two years, the MPN Research Foundation has continued to strengthen its support for MPN research and under Woehrle’s leadership has expanded the Foundation’s portfolio to include new and ambitious projects such as the launch of the myMPN patient registry, the push for funding for research focused on Progression in MPN, an expanded connection to global partners, and an externally-led Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting on MPNs with the FDA. The Foundation has also taken a leadership role in the coordination of efforts to bring MPN advocates together internationally.
“We stand poised and proud to expand the impact of the MPN community as a whole so that someday MPN patients will no longer require our efforts,” said Barbara Van Husen, Chairman of the MPNRF Board. “We have been so fortunate in the days since Bob’s passing that our efforts have been meticulously and strategically managed by Michelle. Because of her leadership, the Foundation is poised to take on greater and more impactful challenges. We also respect her wish to spend more time with her young children.”
“The opportunity to learn under the brilliant and ethical leadership of Bob Rosen and Barbara Van Husen is a privilege that I will never take for granted,” said Michelle Woehrle. “I have met thousands of people with PV, ET, or MF who have shared their trials and tribulations and taught me about true strength and endurance and how to fight for what is most important: the ability to live a quality and long life on your own terms. I am their passionate ally for life and fully support the goals of MPNRF.”
MPN Research Foundation has engaged Kittleman & Associates, a national executive search firm, to conduct the search for its new Executive Director. Kittleman & Associates specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities, and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including voluntary health agencies, foundations, and education and advocacy organizations. For more information, visit www.kittlemansearch.com.
The mission of the MPN Research Foundation is to stimulate original research in pursuit of new treatments — and eventually a cure — for the blood cancers polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, known collectively as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). MPNRF is approaching its 20th anniversary of funding research, connecting patients to the latest discoveries, sharing educational resources, and building hope. For more information, visit www.mpnrf.org.