Home: Who We Are
Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation Board of Directors and Staff

Claudia Day, Board Member Board member since 2002 With more than 25 years experience as an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Claudia has developed skills in strategic planning, group facilitation, and technical writing, and recently became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). She's a lover of great architecture, and considers herself an "amateur" artist. Claudia was diagnosed with mycosis fungoides stage 1A in February, 2000, and is currently in remission. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Carl Prieser, and has an adult son, Ben Kohler.

Judy Jones, President Co-Founder By profession, Judy is an educator and a licensed professional counselor. Her volunteer work with the Cutaneous Lymphoma has become full-time. Judy co-founded the Foundation in 1998 with Judith Shea, and has been a dedicated patient advocate ever since.

Amanda Kik, Director of Education Staff since 1998 Amanda Kik has been working with the Foundation from its inception in 1998, when she created the first brochure and website. Since that time, her role with the organization has blossomed. She continues to maintain the website and manages publications, as well as supports the Board of Directors. Amanda completed both her undergraduate and graduate work at California Institute of the Arts. She is co-director of the Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND) and volunteers for a local arts organization.

Stuart R. Lessin, M.D., Medical Liaison to Medical Advisory Board Board member since 2002 Stuart R. Lessin, M.D. is Director of Dermatology at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Chief of the Division of Dermatology at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has clinical and research expertise in cutaneous lymphomas.

Leora Lowenthal, Board Member Board member since 2006 Leora is a Senior Social Worker at the NYU Cancer Institute in New York City and her role there includes the provision of counseling, case management, and the development of educational events and materials. In addition, Leora moderates an online support group for CancerCare, and is serving a two year term as Education Director for the Association of Oncology Social Work. She received a BS from Cornell University, an MSW from Boston University and completed a post-graduate certificate in the study of bioethics. Currently Leora is completing a MS in Management at the NYU Wagner School of Public Service.

Holly Priebe, Director, Operations and Finance Staff since 2004 Holly joined the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation team in 2004, bringing with her experience in purchasing, marketing, program management, and office experience. Her studies have focused on both business and marketing. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, being near water, hiking, and experimenting with photography.

Christopher Shipp, Vice President Board member since 2005 Chris has an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and International Business Management from the University of Delaware. He is currently a Senior Consultant at a leading healthcare marketing research company, where he is responsible for the management of key accounts, designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative global custom market research projects, and offering strategic marketing guidance to clients. Prior to his current job, Chris held both corporate and field sales positions at Merck & Co., Inc. and at AstraZeneca.

Susan Thornton, Secretary Board member since 2008 A native of Philadelphia, Susan has been in the healthcare information technology field for the last 24 years in various consulting, sales and marketing positions, currently working for Draeger Medical as the IT Solutions Marketing Manager for Draeger's anesthesia and intensive care software solutions. In addition to her professional career in healthcare technology, Susan has been active in many non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia region, holding Board positions at the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Easter PA Chapter and was one of the original members of the Tristate Multisoport Association. Susan's love of sports, and in particular triathalons, has given her the opportunity to coach with the local Team in Training triathalon teams, become Race Director for the Patriot's Triathalon and mentor many beginning triathaletes. Susan holds a Marketing/Managment degree from the Univerisity of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and recently completed the Fundraising Certification Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Viano. Chief Executive Officer Staff since 2010 With over 15 years of nonprofit management, fund development, communications, marketing and public relations experience, Jennifer A. Viano joined the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation in April 2010 as its new Chief Executive Officer. Her leadership skills, extensive experience growing nonprofit organizations, broad range of knowledge across nonprofit and business disciplines, and her passion for the mission of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation make her a dynamic, effective new CEO. With prior experience as Executive Director of the Scleroderma Foundation Michigan Chapter, Jennifer has specific experience leading transformational growth in a similar organization focused on serving people affected by a chronic, autoimmune disease. She understands the life-altering effects of cutaneous lymphoma and has a vision of growth that will take the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation down a path of providing improved programs and services to help people who are suffering with the uncertainty, fear, emotional angst and physical struggles associated with a chronic illness.

Michael W. Young, Industry Advisor Board member since 2002 Michael is Senior Director, Global Oncology Strategy for Eisai, Inc. Based in San Diego, Eisai Inc’s Oncology Franchise develops and markets new therapies for cancer and cutaneous diseases. During the past eleven years, Michael has helped design the architecture and direct the strategy for Ligand Pharmaceuticals’ commercial development which was subsequently acquired by Eisai in late 2006. Among his credentials, Michael has been an active industry speaker and author. He has presented at numerous conferences including BIO, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Chinese American Pharmaceutical Association, and the Drug Information Association. In 2001, he was named Medical Marketer of the Year by the Medical Marketing Association and in 2003 served as President of the national organization. In 2004 he was awarded the Leadership Award by Ligand Pharmaceuticals for the second time in three years and, in 2005, was recognized by the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL) for his industry-leading work with the organization.