New Appointees Bring Diverse Expertise to Strengthen Efforts in the Fight Against ALS
ARLINGTON, VA., - October 15, 2024 - The ALS Association is proud to announce the appointment of four distinguished professionals to its Board of Trustees. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to making ALS livable and curing it.
- Danielle Boisvert, Ph.D., LMFT, Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, LifeStance Health
- Eve Dryer, (Retired) Vice President of Patient Advocacy at Travere Therapeutics
- Seda Goff, Founder and General Partner, Flintlock Capital
- Kelly M. Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Harvey-Cleary Partners
“We are honored to welcome these exceptional leaders to our Board of Trustees,” said Scott Kauffman, Chair of The ALS Association Board of Trustees. “Their expertise and connections to ALS will provide new ideas and perspectives on how to end this insidious disease. And their unwavering commitment to our mission will be instrumental as we continue to support and advocate for people living with ALS and their families.”
“We are fortunate to have truly dedicated and experienced volunteer leaders,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of the ALS Association. “The appointments of Danielle, Eve, Seda, and Kelly will strengthen an already outstanding Board. Our staff team looks forward to their counsel and guidance on how to best make ALS livable and cure it.”
Danielle Boisvert, Ph.D., LMFT is an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician at LifeStance Health in Milford, MA. Her journey with ALS began when her father was diagnosed with the disease in 2015, a role she embraced as his caregiver until his passing in 2019. This personal experience, combined with her extensive academic background in chronic disease impact on families, equips Dr. Boisvert with a unique perspective on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by those affected by ALS. Her work has been featured in significant publications, including Pathy’s Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine and the Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy. Dr. Boisvert holds a Ph.D. in Medical Family Therapy from Saint Louis University with a focus on helping families, couples, and individuals cope with chronic health conditions.
Eve Dryer recently retired as Vice President of Patient Advocacy at Travere Therapeutics and brings over 25 years of experience in championing patient rights and advocating for equitable access to healthcare. Her passion for ALS advocacy was further ignited by her role as a caregiver to her dear friend, Eileen Marcus, during her four-year battle with the disease. At Travere, Dryer established the Rare Disease Patient Advisory Council and worked tirelessly to ensure that clinical trials are designed with direct input from patients and caregivers. Dryer’s commitment to health equity and inclusion is reflected in her leadership roles, including her involvement in launching the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition. In addition to her appointment to the ALS Association Board of Trustees, she also serves on the board of NephCure (the leading rare kidney disease patient organization) and Sisters Network Inc. a national association representing African American women living with breast cancer.
Seda Goff brings a wealth of experience as a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and advocate for empowering founders to solve complex problems across various sectors, including technology and finance. Goff has dedicated much of her career to supporting veteran entrepreneurs and expanding access to capital. Her involvement with the ALS Association stems from her desire to leverage her entrepreneurial spirit to drive innovative solutions in the fight against ALS. Goff has also served as an Adjunct Professor at American University's Kogod School of Business and held leadership roles in organizations such as Bunker Labs DC and PenFed Credit Union.
Kelly M. Hall is the Chief Executive Officer of Harvey-Cleary Builders, a leading national commercial General Contractor based in Houston, TX. His connection to ALS is deeply personal, having been inspired to join the fight after his brother-in-law’s diagnosis in 2016. Hall began serving on the ALS Association’s Texas Board of Directors in 2018 and became its president three years later. With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Hall’s leadership has been pivotal in managing large-scale projects while ensuring the safety and integrity of his teams. Hall has served in various capacities on the boards of many organizations over the years including the Greater Houston Partnership, Associated General Contractors of America, Rice University’s Design Alliance, and many other non-profit groups.
About the ALS Association
The ALS Association is the world’s leading ALS organization. The ALS Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about the ALS Association, visit our website at www.als.org.
About ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over the course of the disease, people lose the ability to move, speak, and eventually, to breathe. On average, it takes about a year before a final ALS diagnosis is made. The disease is always fatal, usually within five years of diagnosis. There is currently no cure.