Rhonda Buckley-Bishop is a seasoned nonprofit management executive. With more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles, both interim and permanent, she is passionate about strengthening nonprofit organizations. Rhonda has worked with organizations in both growth and crisis situations, and her special talent is fortifying teams so they can achieve or expand their organizations' missions.

Most recently, Rhonda was the Interim CEO of CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) and Interim ED of ISAC (International Society for Advancement of Cytometry). 

Rhonda's permanent roles include Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement at the Michigan State University College of Music. She was also Founder and longtime Executive Director of the Sitar Arts Center, a community arts center that serves at-risk youth and families in Washington DC, where she received numerous awards as a nonprofit leader.

Rhonda earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music from MSU. She also received a Master of General Administration degree with emphasis in nonprofit management from the University of Maryland, University College. Rhonda was a Fellow in the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford's Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the Leadership Greater Washington, Class of 2006. Rhonda also contributes as a volunteer to several Washington DC region nonprofit organizations.

David Mochel was an orthopedic surgeon for Northwestern Medicine for 25 years. Once diagnosed with IBM, he switched to an administrative job as medical director for Northwestern’s western region. David has an interest in research into myositis treatment, including lifestyle changes, and uses his professional experience to answer questions from members of the Chicago support group. He and his wife, Peg, have homes in Illinois and Florida.

Dr. Julie Paik is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  She is also the Director of Clinical Trials at the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center. Her research focus is in overlap myositis and novel therapeutics in refractory dermatomyositis. Dr. Paik serves on the Medical Advisory Board for TMA. 

Dr Helene Alexanderson is associate professor, PhD, registered physical therapist at Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. She has 30 years of clinical practice prescribing exercise to patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease, the last 28 years focusing on idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). In 2003 she got her PhD-degree with her doctoral thesis titled “Exercise and clinical outcome measures in patients with Polymyositis and dermatomyositis”. Since then, she has continued to study clinical and molecular effects of exercise and continued to develop clinical outcome measures to measure muscle endurance in IIM. She is chair of IMACS Rehabilitation and Exercise Scientific Interest Group leading the current project to develop evidence-based consensus exercise guidelines in IIM. She is co-chair of the OMERACT Myositis Working Group aiming to develop and validate patient-relevant patient-reported outcome measures for patients with IIM. In both these international research collaborations Dr Alexanderson is working closely with patient research partners as equal members of the research group. At the Karolinska Institutet, she is teaching physical therapy students about IIM and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases, and she is also developing

interprofessional student activities during clinical rotations at the Karolinska University Hospital. She has published 79 scientific papers on IIM. Se Dr Alexanderson was elected member of TMA Medical Advisory Board, 2014-2019 and rejoined in 2023.

Natasha is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the states of Florida, Oregon and Washington, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP), a Compassion Fatigue Educator and a Certified Forward Facing Professional Resilience Coach and Consultant. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, Sarasota. She works with adolescents and adults in her role as a staff therapist for Headspace Health. Her previous experience includes 15 years as an educator, community mental health work and private practice. She has presented on various topics including Destigmatizing Mental Health Care, Compassion Fatigue and Effective Techniques for Working with Teens. She operates from a cultural humility perspective and is an ally of the LGTBQIA+ community. She is especially passionate about working with clients who are struggling with trauma and anxiety.

Dr. Christopher Graham is a senior research clinical psychologist, with a research program in clinical psychology – mostly evaluating the effectiveness of newer types of cognitive behavior therapy for mood and adjustment in chronic disease and long-term health conditions. He has research and clinical expertise in two areas: 1) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, particularly as applied to chronic diseases, and; 2) psychological therapies for people living with muscle disorders. Dr. Graham is Academic Director of Northern Ireland’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology training programme. He is a HCPC-registered clinical psychologist (DClinPsychol) and holds an honorary clinical psychologist position in clinical neuropsychology at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, treating people with a range of neurological conditions. He is currently Associate Editor of the British Journal of Health Psychology and Chair of the Mental Health sub-committee for the International Standards of Care for FSH Muscular Dystrophy. His PhD was completed at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London (2013), and his Clinical Psychology Doctorate at the University of Edinburgh (2015)”

Dr. Julie Paik is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  She is also the Director of Clinical Trials at the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center. Her research focus is in overlap myositis and novel therapeutics in refractory dermatomyositis. Dr. Paik serves on the Medical Advisory Board for TMA. 

Veronica Fatura has a degree in Computer Systems and Administration. She is from Mexico City and moved to Michigan in 2001.

In 1989 she took a year out of college to travel with the international group Up With People, where she performed in a musical show and did many hours of community service while traveling around the USA and 6 countries in Europe.

She is married to a Michigander and has 2 daughters, 26 and 24 years old.

Veronica worked in the IT area until 1997 when she had her first daughter. She was a stay home mom until 2011 when she went back to work in the school’s system as an Athletics Secretary and later as a Project Department Assistant.

She was diagnosed with Dermatomyositis in February 2021. Recently she joined the Alexion Clinical Trial with Dr. Ventura at the University of Chicago. Veronica is a support group leader for the East Michigan group as well as co-leader for the Spanish-speaking affinity group Adelante!

Holly Jones is passionate about Teens/Young Adults and Pregnancy/Parenting with Myositis. Being diagnosed at 19 yrs old, she had to learn how to navigate her adult life with Polymyositis and Interstitial Lung Disease. As a member of TMA, Holly is a Support Group Leader, Co-Leader for the Women of Color Affinity Group, and serves on the Board of Directors. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband, Kameron and two daughters, Kynadee (14) and Kynsley (9).

Iazsmin Bauer Ventura, MD, MSc, is a board-certified rheumatologist with a primary focus on inflammatory myopathies, autoimmune lung and skin diseases and vasculitidies, as well as providing comprehensive general rheumatology care. 

As part of UChicago Medicine’s multidisciplinary interstitial lung disease team, Dr. Bauer Ventura works with other specialty experts to diagnose, treat and manage interstitial lung diseases. 

Dr. Bauer Ventura is an expert in inflammatory myopathies (also called myositis), including dermatomyositis, antisynthetase syndrome, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathies, inclusion body myositis, overlap myositis syndromes and polymyositis. She is the director of the Myositis Program at UChicago Medicine and a collaborator in numerous projects with well-recognized international leaders in the field.

In addition to her devotion to her clinical practice, Dr. Bauer Ventura serves in several international research groups that aim to advance knowledge in the fields of interstitial lung diseases and myositis. She is also a dedicated clinical educator, teaching and advising medical students, residents and fellows, providing guidance as they move through their medical career.

Dr. Bauer Ventura currently serves on the board of directors for The Myositis Association.

Dr. Aggarwal is an associate professor of medicine at University of Pittsburgh and medical director of Arthritis and Autoimmunity Center at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is the co-director of UPMC Myositis Center. His areas of interest are clinical and translational research in inflammatory muscle diseases - specifically myositis and associated interstitial lung disease. Dr. Aggarwal leads various international collaborative efforts including outcomes measures, classification criteria, and phase 2/3 clinical trials in myositis. 

Marc Matoza is a Medical Marijuana Practitioner and Advocate who actively participates in Cannabis Patient Education events.  He has produced seminars and webinars since June 2016, speaking at over 300 Medical Marijuana Awareness Seminars and/or Webinars. Realizing it is difficult for patients to find quality, accurate medical marijuana information, he utilized his background in technology and cannabis certification to extensively research Medical Cannabis/Marijuana and its use. This resulted in creating education programs for patients, practitioners, nurses and doctors. 

Shawna Nielsen has been a registered nurse (BSN) for 36 years and a myositis patient with DM for over 24 years.  She teaches patient advocacy to nurses through Independent RN Patient Advocates in Tucson AZ.  She is a Co-Leader for the TMA Northern California Keep In Touch support group as well as manages two Facebook support groups related to myositis. Shawna is passionate about the science and medical advances in myositis research and care. Her goal is for others to not suffer as she did early on.  Shawna is now thriving with myositis and enjoys cooking, hiking and taking bird photos.

Kaniah Gunter, a Nutrition Health Coach owner of Unique Guidance Nutritional Health Coaching, LLC, was diagnosed with dermatomyositis with NXP-2 positive (anti-MJ) and scleroderma in 2007. Kaniah graduated from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, one of the largest nutrition schools in the world.

Recently she completed her certification as a Community Health Worker. She is a strong advocate for the myositis community. At TMA, she is a regional support group leader for TMA Virginia, West Virginia and Northwest Carolina as well as co-leader for TMA’s Women of Color affinity group. She has shared her story in many healthcare publications and social media. She serves as an inspiration for others as she demonstrates healing begins within mind, body and spirit. Kaniah and her two beautiful children live in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 2022, Michelle joined IV Solutions RX as Vice President of Business and Patient Development to continue her outreach with patients ensuring that no patient goes without their lifesaving therapy in an affordable site of care.

Michelle began her career, 30 years ago, as a Senior Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill for a Member of Congress where she specialized in health care policy. Michelle enhanced her knowledge of the health arena as a Partner and Senior Associate at three firms where she represented academic medical centers, patient organizations, specialty hospitals, and health care coalitions. Michelle also served as the Vice President of Government Affairs and Reimbursement Services for the Immune Deficiency Foundation where she further developed her knowledge of patient groups, advocacy and health policy.

Michelle has years of experience testifying before Congress, federal agencies, and state legislatures. She is also a prominent speaker on topics such as Medicare reimbursement, the economics of the plasma industry, health insurance reform, Social Security disability, navigating health insurance, and patient advocacy. Michelle’s hobby is assisting patients to successfully navigate their health insurance policies to ensure that they get covered for their prescribed medications and other services.

Rhonda Buckley-Bishop is a seasoned nonprofit management executive. With more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles, both interim and permanent, she is passionate about strengthening nonprofit organizations. Rhonda has worked with organizations in both growth and crisis situations, and her special talent is fortifying teams so they can achieve or expand their organizations' missions.

Most recently, Rhonda was the Interim CEO of CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) and Interim ED of ISAC (International Society for Advancement of Cytometry). 

Rhonda's permanent roles include Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement at the Michigan State University College of Music. She was also Founder and longtime Executive Director of the Sitar Arts Center, a community arts center that serves at-risk youth and families in Washington DC, where she received numerous awards as a nonprofit leader.

Rhonda earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music from MSU. She also received a Master of General Administration degree with emphasis in nonprofit management from the University of Maryland, University College. Rhonda was a Fellow in the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford's Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the Leadership Greater Washington, Class of 2006. Rhonda also contributes as a volunteer to several Washington DC region nonprofit organizations.