Board of Directors

Rhonda Nelson, Chair – Tennessee

Rhonda was diagnosed with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) in 2002 when she was 33 years old. As a patient advocate, she is dedicated to raising awareness of AERD, a condition that involves asthma, nasal polyps and sensitivity to aspirin, and providing support for patients. Rhonda serves as Allergy & Asthma Network’s spokesperson for AERD issues. She and her husband Wayne, lead singer of the rock group Little River Band, have attended Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) to advocate for people living with respiratory diseases and raise awareness of AERD among lawmakers. When they are not traveling for concerts, Rhonda and Wayne reside in Phoenix, Arizona.

William E. Berger, MD, Vice Chair – California

Founder – Allergy & Asthma Associates of Southern California

Board Certified in both pediatrics and allergy and immunology, Dr. Berger founded the Allergy and Asthma Associates of Southern California Medical Group in 1981 in Mission Viejo, Calif., where he practices both adult and pediatric allergy. Dr. Berger entered the field of medicine because he wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of others. His commitment to improving patient care has extended beyond his practice to clinical research, publications, leadership in professional organizations and his work with Allergy & Asthma Network.

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Marissa Magnetti, MPA, Secretary of the Board – North Carolina

Independent consultant

Marissa brings more than 20 years of diverse experience in nonprofit management, healthcare communications and public affairs. She has a wealth of experience creating and launching a variety of unbranded, branded and franchise campaigns supporting business objectives. Marissa began her career at Allergy & Asthma Network, where she successfully advocated for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers at the state and federal level. One of her most notable campaigns, “Breathe: It’s the Law,” earned the 2006 Associations Advance American Award. As a communications and public affairs professional in New York City, Marissa led cross-functional, award-winning teams in marketing and public awareness campaigns for a wide array of organizations and companies. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Richmond in Virginia and a Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Marissa is entering the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Duke School of Nursing in fall 2024.

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Faith Pomeroy-Ward, Treasurer – Chicago, Illinois

Principal, FPW Consulting

Faith Pomeroy-Ward brings 20 years of pharmaceutical and technology industry expertise to her role on the Allergy and Asthma Network Board. Additionally, as the mother of a child with life-threatening allergies, she has a personal passion for advocacy in this arena. Faith’s experience spans PR, investor relations, corporate communications, and marketing, with work on prominent brands including EpiPen and Mucinex. Since 2010, she has worked as an independent consultant helping companies and non-profit organizations achieve their strategic goals.

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Brian J. Cahill – New Jersey

Certified Public Accountant

Brian is a senior financial executive with more than 30 years of experience across public and private pharmaceutical companies. He has held CFO and senior finance roles at organizations including Yamo Pharmaceuticals, Eagle Pharmaceuticals and Par Pharmaceutical, following a decade in public accounting, most of it with PwC. Brian’s background includes corporate governance, board engagement, strategic planning, and cross‑border financial operations. He is committed to advancing patient‑focused missions, strengthening organizational accountability, and supporting efforts that promote equitable access and improved health outcomes for all communities.

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Sally Draper – Illinois

Executive Director, NAVS

Sally Draper is a seasoned executive with extensive nonprofit development and organizational leadership expertise. She currently serves as Executive Director of the National Anti-vivisection Society (NAVS) and Director of Strategic Partnerships for the International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER). Previously, as Senior Vice President at Rosecrance Behavioral Health and Executive Director of The Rosecrance Foundation, Sally played a pivotal operational role, directing all philanthropic activities and advising on organizational growth, revenue development, and brand strategy. Sally has worked with other notable organizations in philanthropy, including the American Lung Association, YMCA of the USA, Alzheimer’s Association, Gateway Charitable Foundation, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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Lynn Parker Dupree, Esq. – Washington, DC

Partner and Privacy Practice Lead, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner LLP.

As the mother of a child with life-threatening allergies, Lynn brings her experience advocating for allergy awareness and education to Allergy & Asthma Network. Lynn is also leader of the privacy practice at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett, and Dunner LLP, where she focuses on privacy and artificial intelligence compliance, governance, and counseling for clients navigating the dynamic legal and regulatory landscape. Prior to joining the firm, she served as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chief Privacy Officer, responsible for advising the Secretary of Homeland Security on a wide variety of matters involving privacy for the department as well as ensuring the department complied with privacy laws, regulations and federal guidance. Lynn provided practical privacy advice on matters such as artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the collection and use of biometric data, and the deployment of technologies that collect identifiable data. She was also responsible for DHS’s privacy preparedness for cybersecurity breaches and incidents.

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Elizabeth Elliott, MSN, RN, NCSN, CDCES – Maryland

Maryland Association of School Health Nurses

Elizabeth (Liz) has extensive experience in School Nursing and the intersection between children’s health and education. Liz’s mission is to help children grow into healthy and thriving adults, and she is passionate about supporting the health and wellness of students in the school setting. She is a Nationally Certified School Nurse and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and regularly shares her expertise at regional and national conferences. Liz works in School Health Services in Maryland and is Immediate Past President of the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses. She received her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from the University of Maryland and her bachelor’s in psychology from Case Western Reserve University. Liz supports advocacy efforts at the State Level and has experience at the Federal level on Capitol Hill.

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Leila Giancone – New York

Director of Marketing and Communications, G&C Foods

With nearly two decades of experience in branding, communications, and strategic planning, Leila is recognized as a collaborative communicator and innovative business strategist who has contributed to award-winning initiatives and led cross-functional teams driving organizational transformation. She is passionate about social impact and community enrichment. In addition to her role with Allergy & Asthma Network, Leila is honored to serve as Vice Chair of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the American Cancer Society’s Central New York Advisory Board, among various volunteer roles dedicated to education, social justice, community services, and health equity. She earned a BA in English from Binghamton University and an MS in Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship from The New School.

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Jill Ohar, MD – North Carolina

Professor of Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Jill is a Professor of Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in the division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Immunologic Diseases. Her professional focus has been on airways and occupational lung diseases. She has spent her career in teaching, patient care, and clinical research. In an attempt to practice what she preaches, in her leisure time, she enjoys engaging in swimming, running, or kayaking on a daily basis.

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Laonis Quinn, RN, MSN, AE-C – Michigan

Founder and Executive Director, Breathe Anthony J Chapman Asthma Foundation

Since the untimely death of her eldest son Anthony (Tony) Jamar Chapman in 2007 due to a fatal asthma attack, Laonis has been unwavering in advocating for asthma education. She has told Tony’s story on several national platforms and it’s her mission to increase awareness about the impact that asthma has on families and communities.

Laonis has served on the Board of Directors at Allergy & Asthma Network since 2021. She has had asthma since childhood and serves as host and moderator of the Network’s “Black People Like Me” Facebook page. Laonis has been a registered nurse for 25+ years, specializing in critical care. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix. Laonis is a 2024 recipient of the prestigious President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from The White House.

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Lauren Semeniuk, MHSA – Maryland

Event Planning & Operational Manager, Event Performance Group

Lauren brings nearly 30 years of experience in a varied healthcare career: two-thirds in the policy and advocacy sector as a congressional staffer and a pharmaceutical federal government affairs director; the other third in non-policy operational roles. These include clinical laboratory, neurosurgical office practice, clinical research and trials coordination, and pharmacy / laboratory / radiology business analysis for a major managed care plan. Lauren is proud that across these roles, her accomplishments have advanced patient access to prescribed medications and treatment plans, whether insulin, human growth hormone, or asthma and allergy medication. Lauren was the lead staffer for the Asthmatic Schoolchildren’s Treatment and Health Management Act (ASTHMA) Act of 2004 sponsored by U.S. Reps. Cliff Stearns (FL) and Patrick Kennedy (RI) and signed by President George W. Bush into law. Lauren has additional non-profit Board and officer experience (Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare, The American-Danish Business Council, the Florida State Society). She holds a BBA in Marketing from Stetson University and MHSA from the George Washington University.

Bushra Tbakhi, MD – Ohio

Fellow in Allergy and Immunology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Dr. Tbakhi is currently specializing in allergy/immunology at the University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Prior to her current position, Dr. Tbakhi cared for patients as a hematology-oncology hospitalist at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, New York. Dr. Tbakhi earned her medical degree from the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan, and subsequently completed her Internal Medicine residency in Rochester, NY. She received recognition with an award in Pulmonary Medicine. She is passionate about the promotion of health equity both nationwide and globally. She engages in advocacy efforts, with a specific focus on enhancing the quality of life for those with sesame allergy. Beyond her clinical pursuits, Dr. Tbakhi holds an interest in clinical informatics. She is certified as a Physician Builder with Epic (electronic health records systems) and aspires to leverage her skills in creating systematic change.

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Deidre V. Washington, PhD – Maryland

Director, Health Equity, AdvaMed

Deidre serves as Director of Health Equity at AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Technology Association), the association representing the medical device industry. In this role she works to ensure that all patients, regardless of background or ability to pay, have access to innovative and life-saving technology. Prior to joining AdvaMed, Deidre held positions at various organizations with an emphasis on equity in health care, including National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), and Adventist HealthCare. She earned her B.S. from Florida A&M University and her PhD from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In her spare time, Deidre enjoys reading, Zumba and travel.

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Anna Elizabeth Whinnery – Tennessee

Marketing Strategist and Independent Marketing Consultant

Anna has more than 20 years of experience in developing data-driven marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and brands. Her work focuses on driving engagement and helping these entities achieve their missions. By utilizing data-informed marketing strategies, Anna enhances an organization’s ability to connect with its audience in measurable ways. With expertise in creative strategy, digital advertising, SEO, and website development, she is committed to advancing the outreach, education, advocacy, and research initiatives of the Allergy & Asthma Network.

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Dennis Williams – North Carolina

Pharm.D. – Associate Professor, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Dennis practices at the UNC Medical Center with the pulmonary medicine medical service. Dennis has served as a member of the National Asthma Education Program Coordinating Committee, and the National Asthma Educator Certification Board. Dennis serves on the Board of Directors because he feels that one of the most important things that a pharmacist can do is help patients get the most benefit from their medication.