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National Brain Tumor Society Welcomes New Members to its Board of Directors

Published on July 7, 2021 in Press Release

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS), a leader in brain tumor patient advocacy, research, information, and support, today announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors. The appointments bolster the diversity, experience, and insights of the NBTS Board.

The new directors, who join 16 other members in the governance of the organization, are Allison Bishof, Adam Hayden, Mil Parekh, and Leah Recht.

“Allison, Adam, Mil, and Leah have all made a significant impact on the work we do at the National Brain Tumor Society,” said David Arons, JD, NBTS chief executive officer. “We’re excited for them to join our Board of Directors and provide strategic leadership to NBTS. Their familiarity with our work, our community, and the experience of those impacted by brain tumors, coupled with their unique backgrounds and talents, will be an immense asset to our cause.”

Allison Bishof, CRNA – Allison is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and lifelong advocate of compassionate care. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, she completed her Master of Science in Nursing from DePaul University while serving in the Army Reserve in Chicago. Allison returned to Philadelphia and has had a long career as CRNA while raising three sons. In 2009, she was treated for a malignant brain tumor and since then has been involved with NBTS and brain tumor patient advocacy and research funding. Allison has been active in the brain tumor community, serving as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program and evaluating research proposals for funding. She has spoken at several scientific meetings hosted by NBTS to share her patient experience. Her team, Allison’s NumbSkulls, is a stalwart at the Race for Hope Philadelphia, where Allison is a member of the race planning committee. 

Adam Hayden, MA – Adam is a learning and development professional and a nationally recognized patient advocate. Living with a glioblastoma, Adam is a prolific writer, speaker, and thinker in the brain tumor world. He regularly publishes articles in consumer and academic publications from the patient perspective on brain tumor- and biomedical research-related topics. Additionally, he serves on the NBTS Research Roundtable Steering Committee, the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Programmatic Review Committee, the American Association for Cancer Research Scientist<->Survivor Program, and the Stanford University Medicine X (Med X) ePatient scholars program. Adam’s volunteer service includes co-facilitating the monthly NBTS Brain Tumor Support Conversation and co-moderating the monthly Brain Tumor Social Media Twitter Chat (@BTSMChat). Adam currently co-chairs the Indiana Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ Anti-Racism Task Force, and he works as a senior communications specialist for the consulting firm, Briljent, LLC, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is married to his wife Whitney, and together they have three young boys. Find Adam on Twitter, @adamhayden, and read his personal blog, www.glioblastology.com.

Mil Parekh, CFP, CPWA – Mil is senior vice president, portfolio management director, and family wealth advisor for the Baker-Parekh Group at Morgan Stanley. Mill began his career with Morgan Stanley after receiving a finance degree from George Washington University and has nearly two decades of experience in wealth management, providing customized advice and investment solutions to highly successful individuals, families, and business leaders. Mil chairs the Northern Virginia Complex Diversity Council for Morgan Stanley. Mill began supporting NBTS in honor of his friend, Dov Wisnia, who passed away from a brain tumor. When he’s not working directly with clients or actively volunteering, Mil enjoys spending time with his wife and children, coaching his kids’ soccer teams, running, preparing for half-marathons, and playing tennis.

Leah Recht, JD – Leah is a partner in the San Francisco office of the global law firm, Orrick, where she also practices in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions and private equity group. Leah advises clients across a wide range of industries, including tech, food and drug, consulting services, retail, education, manufacturing, insurance, printing, and transportation. She earned her JD from Georgetown University and was recognized in 2018 and 2019 as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for business and corporate law. Leah lost her father to a malignant brain tumor in 2007 and has since participated in NBTS’s Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk. 

About the National Brain Tumor Society

Building on over 30 years of experience, the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and caregivers. Our focus on defeating brain tumors and improving the quality of patients’ lives is powered by our partnerships across science, health care, policy, and business sectors. We fund treatments-focused research and convene those most critical to curing brain tumors once and for all. Join us at BrainTumor.org.


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