Leadership Team
Leah McCormick Howard, J.D.
President and CEO
Leah McCormick Howard, J.D., joined the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2012. She has lived with psoriasis for 21 years and has more than two decades of experience working with national health and disability organizations, local governments, and leading health care and research institutions. Over the last decade, Howard has empowered people with psoriatic disease to share their challenges with policymakers at the state and federal level, as well as with regulators, and health agency management. This led to a number of improvements for the community including more than 40 new state laws improving access to treatment.
Guy Eakin, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific and Medical Officer
Guy Eakin, Ph.D., joined NPF in 2023. Guy Eakin, Ph.D., provides vision, leadership, and overall management of the mission-related efforts in research and medical programs. Dr. Eakin brings his experience working for nonprofits in a range of neurologic, metabolic, and immune-related conditions, including leading more than $139 million in research programs.
Jennifer Fagerstrom
Chief Development Officer
Jennifer Fagerstrom, CFRE, joined NPF in 2021. She is responsible for the vision, leadership, and overall management of NPF’s revenue-producing initiatives. She is a seasoned nonprofit leader and executive coach, bringing over 25 years of global leadership and fundraising to NPF. She lives with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and is keenly attuned to the journey that many with psoriasis and PsA have experienced.
Ron Goldsman
Chief Financial Officer
Ron Goldsman joined NPF in 2022. He provides vision, leadership, and overall management of financial operations and accounting practices for NPF and oversees and manages the Finance & Operations department and staff. He brings a financial and accounting background and over 18 years of progressive leadership experience, including in the nonprofit sector.
Breanna Baer
Vice President of Field Development & Operations
Breanna Baer joined NPF in 2022. She is responsible for NPF’s field-based activities and strategy, including outreach for patient and professional engagement.
Jason Harris
Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy
Jason Harris joined NPF in 2022. He is responsible for directing the overall supervision, planning, organization, and coordination of all aspects of the advocacy program.
Jennifer O’Connor
Vice President of Advancement
Jennifer O’Connor joined NPF in 2023. Her role includes major gift and planned giving strategies, including maintaining donor relationships.
Katherine Southwick
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Katherine Southwick joined NPF in 2016. She is responsible for the development and execution of marketing and communications strategy.
Krystal Adkins
Director of Field Development & National Special Events
Krystal Adkins joined NPF in 2022. She is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the NPF special event fundraising initiatives across the country.
Stephanie Corder
Director of Medical Affairs
Stephanie Corder, N.D., R.N., CHCP, joined NPF in 2023. She is responsible for the operations of the medical affairs programs including continuing medical education (CME) and educational partnerships. She is a nurse and brings over 20 years of experience in health care education and continuing professional development.
Adrian Hanganu
Director of Information Technology
Adrian Hanganu joined NPF in 2015. He is responsible for all Information Technology operations.
Alicia O'Neal, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Director of Patient Centered Research
Alicia O’Neal, Ph.D., M.Ed., started at NPF in 2024. O’Neal leads NPF’s Patient Centered Research program, leveraging research learnings to inform NPF activities and policies. She works closely with clinical and research advisors to inform, design, and conduct mission focused research programs in support of the organization’s strategic plan. O’Neal also supports NPF's extramural research grants and fellowships programs.
Jane Slayden
Director of Patient Services
Jane Slayden joined NPF in 2019. She is responsible for the Patient Navigation Center, the outreach department and health education materials.
Matt Werbach
Director of Communications
Matt Werbach joined NPF in 2020. Matt provides strategic oversight of all messaging and communications, leads NPF's public relations strategy, serves as the editor of NPF Advance™ magazine, and manages all creative functions of the organization.
Board of Directors
The National Psoriasis Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of members who are volunteers from the community.