New York, NY (November 27, 2019) – The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) is excited to welcome three new members to the Society’s national Board of Trustees.
Wendy Erler is the Vice President of STAR and Patient Insights and Advocacy at Alexion Pharmaceuticals where she is responsible for building an enterprise holistic solution model to gather and incorporate patient insights throughout the drug development and commercialization processes. She leads the Global Patient Advocacy function and has responsibility the advocacy team. Previously, Ms. Erler was on the executive leadership team at Wave Life Sciences where she led Patient Advocacy and Commercial. Wendy graduated from Miami University and earned her MBA from St. Joseph’s University.
Jay Hughes is MGIC’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development. He began his career with MGIC in 1987 as an Account Executive in the northern Virginia market. After moving to California in 1998 to assume the role of Sales Manager, Jay was promoted to Vice President-Managing Director in 2001 covering MGIC’s Pacific Region. In 2014, Jay accepted the position of Senior Vice President – Sales and Business Development and relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In his current role as Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Jay is responsible for MGIC’s five regions, our National Account relationships and Marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Villanova School of Business.
Jonathan Klein is Chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at DLA Piper in New York City. He concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate finance, securities matters and restructuring for both domestic and international clients. Jonathan has represented US and foreign clients in connection with cross-border acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, private financings, loan restructurings and workouts and general corporate matters. Jonathan received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center where he graduated cum laude and his B.S. from Cornell University.
“We are thrilled to welcome Wendy, Jay and Jonathan to HDSA’s Board of Trustees,” said Louise Vetter, HDSA’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “Their diverse skills and experiences will help contribute to the Society’s ability to achieve its mission and support families affected by HD.”
In other Board-related news, Kamran Alam was appointed Treasurer and Jenne Coler-Dark will assume the role of Secretary. Bill Klein and Jennifer Leyton have successfully fulfilled their six-year term as integral members of HDSA’s Board of Trustees.
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Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Each child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes HD. Today, there are approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of HD are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with HD and their families.
To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America visit www.HDSA.org or call (800) 345-HDSA.
