Strengthening Our Mission: debra of America Expands Its Board of Directors

We are thrilled to announce an exciting expansion of our Board of Directors at debra of America. Our new board members come from diverse professional backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective that will improve our efforts in raising awareness, enhancing fundraising efficiency, and delivering impactful programs and services.  

Our dedication to transparency and accountability is unwavering, and we are proud to have been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator year after year, putting us in the top 15% of all charities nationwide. This diverse leadership team will help us advance our mission with renewed energy and innovation! 

New Leadership

We are pleased to welcome Ryan Fullmer as the new Chair of our Board of Directors. Ryan, the father of Mikey Fullmer, a courageous young boy living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), brings a deeply personal commitment to debra’s mission. Ryan succeeds Andrew Tavani, whose dedication and support over the years have been instrumental in advancing our work. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Andrew for his invaluable contributions. 

"As a parent of an 18-year-old with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, I have witnessed firsthand the courage, strength, and resilience required to navigate life with EB,” Ryan shares. “It is both a privilege and a deeply personal mission to accept the role of Chairman at debra of America. I am committed to advocating for our community and ensuring that we continue to push for progress, not only in research and treatment but also in providing hope and support for every family living with EB. Together, we will keep fighting for a future where our children and loved ones can thrive, ‘because the cost of doing nothing is too great.’"  

Meet Our New Board Members

debra is delighted to welcome four exceptional individuals to our Board of Directors: 

John Maslowski

John was the founding Chief Scientific Officer of Fibrocell, a pioneering gene therapy company focused on treating EB’s chronic wounds. His leadership as CEO of Fibrocell through the acquisition of Castle Creek demonstrated his deep commitment to EB research and his long-standing collaboration with debra of America.  Furthermore, his current role as Chief Executive Officer of Forge Biologis underscores his deep commitment to the cell and gene therapy space.

Amit Bhattacharyya 

Amit is the VP of the Integrity, Trust, and Safety Products Group at Meta. With a background that includes leadership roles at Amazon, LEK Consulting, and Yahoo, Amit brings a wealth of experience in technology and advertising. His impressive academic credentials, including an MBA from UC Berkeley and advanced degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, make him an asset for driving innovation and strategic initiatives at debra of America. 

Tiffany Clinton 

Tiffany currently serves as a professional boxing and MMA judge and timekeeper at the California State Athletic Commission. Tiffany’s impressive background as the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of the University of West Los Angeles will help debra of America in its long tradition of transparency and efficiency at the board level. Tiffany also holds two historic distinctions: she is the first Black woman to serve as a judge in professional boxing and MMA, and only the sixth woman of color to become a timekeeper for both sports. 

Chris Sloey 

Chris has been a senior principal scientist at Amgen for over 27 years. His extensive experience in drug product technologies and his dedication to advancing EB research will bring valuable insights to our board. 

We are confident that this expanded board will enhance our ability to improve the lives of those impacted by EB — “The Worst Disease You’ve Never Heard Of.” 

“I am so proud that debra is able to attract such a diverse set of board members to help us achieve our mission in a transparent and effective manner,” shares Brett Kopelan, debra’s Executive Director. “The strength of an organization is determined by its board of directors, its officers, and its staff and I know that our new board members, and our new chairman, will ensure that we continue to increase the scope of our influence within academia, government and the FDA while continuing to offer impactful programs for the EB community.”   

View our full board list and meet our dedicated team

Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this new and exciting chapter!