7 new members add diversity, expertise to LBBC board of directors

Together the seven new and 17 returning board members, led by chair Megan Rutt, bring to LBBC an incredible range of experience from a variety of sectors, including business, branding, finance, pharmaceuticals, medicine, law, advocacy, and more. While they come from diverse backgrounds and have varied professional skills, they’ve all been touched by breast cancer in some way — personally, professionally, or peripherally.

As the challenges — and increasingly high-costs — persist for those diagnosed with breast cancer, it is more important than ever to have a dynamic and diverse board of directors who “get it.” With these newest board members, LBBC is well-positioned to continue to effectively serve its community and to reach even more people.

These are the seven new board members whose experiences with breast cancer have imbued in them a shared passion for LBBC’s mission and a commitment to helping improve care, information, and access for all those diagnosed with breast cancer:

• Caroline Abi-Khattar Esq., lawyer and patient advocate, holds close to her heart the needs of the breast cancer community, especially the community of young survivors. Caroline was introduced to LBBC by Dr. Angela Demichele, who is both her oncologist and one of the researchers she supports as a member of the advocate board of the University of Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Translational Center of Excellence.
• Christiane Schuman Campbell Esq., partner, Duane Morris LLP, counsels clients on development, management and protection of their brands. She was first introduced to LBBC in April of 2013 when she volunteered to assist the organization with its trademarks. She was drawn to the organization because of her family’s history with cancer and, in particular, breast cancer.
• Amy R. Gavin, impact manager, Gavin/Solmonese Impact Programs, is committed to organizational and financial development for non-profit, philanthropic, and cultural organizations engaged in community service. With numerous family members diagnosed with cancer, Amy believes everyone has been impacted, at some point, directly or indirectly by cancer.
• Walter Kowal MPT, MBA, FACHE serves as assistant vice president, diagnostic and therapeutic services, Nemours Children’s Health. After Walter’s wife, Laura, was diagnosed with breast cancer she introduced him to LBBC. Walter brings two decades of financial management and budgeting expertise to LBBC in the role of board treasurer.
• Reshma Mahtani DO is chief of breast medical oncology at the Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Mahtani is deeply committed to medical education and has been involved in educating both patients and providers. She is also an active clinical researcher of novel therapies for the treatment of breast cancer and an in-demand speaker, both nationally and internationally.
• Abby Match, patient advocate, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2020 at age 35. Abby brings to LBBC a love of — and talent for — fundraising, and a desire to help others diagnosed with cancer get the appropriate access, resources, and funds they need to get through their treatment and beyond.
• Neeta Mehta MBA, partner Bridge Partners LLC, has a background in commercial banking, financial consulting, and investment management and 15 years of executive recruiting experience. Since she attended her first LBBC Gala (to honor former board member Margaret Zucotti) many women she knows personally benefitted from LBBC’s resources, webinars, conferences, and cutting-edge medical advice counsel during one of the most challenging times of their lives.