STEVEN TAYLOR

President & Chief Executive Officer

A mission-first leader in the voluntary health space, Steve has over three decades of experience devoted to making life better for patients with life-altering diseases.

Since joining the Arthritis Foundation in 2021, Steve has established the organization’s multi-year strategic mission plan, which outlines the Foundation’s clear pathways to finding a cure and improving quality of life for the nearly 60 million Americans diagnosed with arthritis.

Steve is passionate about aligning the Arthritis Foundation’s advocacy agenda and science strategy with the organization’s priorities, which are shaped by patient voices. Steve’s leadership is guided by the Foundation’s strong community of patients and volunteers — who are critical in driving the organization’s progress in boldly attacking arthritis and its effects.

Prior to being named president and CEO in 2022, Steve served as the Arthritis Foundation’s executive vice president for mission and strategic initiatives for the prior year. Previously, he served as president and CEO of the Sjögren’s Foundation for 18 years, from 2003 to 2021. While there, Steve worked to make Sjögren’s a household name, increasing awareness among the general public and health care professionals. He also notably led the development of the first-ever Clinical Practices Guidelines for Sjögren’s, a resource to help physicians treat, manage and monitor their patients.

Since childhood, Steve has been devoted to worthy causes, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s telethon and the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope Heart program. He has also served in staff leadership positions at the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society and, in 2012 and again in 2019, served as volunteer chair of the National Health Council board of directors.

Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University and an executive MBA from Auburn University. He is the proud father of three sons.

“It is my greatest honor and joy to work alongside our volunteers and patients, who serve as my biggest inspiration,” says Steve. “That’s what is so powerful about being part of a mission like ours. Their stories are what fuel us as we champion the fight against arthritis together.”

VICKIE FUNG, MPH

Senior Vice President, Mission & Strategic Initiatives

As Senior Vice President of Mission & Strategic Initiatives, Vickie oversees mission-driven initiatives across the organization’s patient education, advocacy and science programs. Her team develops and executes consumer-based patient education resources and tools and develops strategies that drive patient and volunteer engagement in mission opportunities. Additionally, she is responsible for our federal and state-level advocacy efforts aimed at improving access and quality of care for patients with arthritis. Finally, she leads the execution of our science and research programs, the fellowship program process and its awards.  

Vickie administers the organization’s annual planning process. She has spearheaded strategic DEI work that has led the Arthritis Foundation to pilot programs focusing on African-American/Black, Hispanic and military/veteran communities.

Vickie started as a program director for the Arthritis Foundation’s Southern California Chapter where she quickly excelled and was promoted as Vice President of Programs in the Northern California Chapter. In 2007, she became the Chief Mission Officer for the Pacific region where she provided oversight for science, mission delivery and advocacy programs across four states. In 2018, she took on a brand-new role, VP of the Live Yes! Arthritis Network, which operationalized the INSIGHTS program and created a national network of Online Community forums and Live Yes! Connect Groups.

Vickie is a member of the American College of Rheumatology/Allied Health Professionals. She holds a Master of Public Health, Community Health Sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles. She resides in Arcadia, CA. 
 
“Our mission is to help people with arthritis feel empowered and to know that they are not alone in our fight against arthritis,” says Vickie. “It is very inspiring to me to see the lives we’ve been able to impact. I am privileged to be part of an extraordinary group of staff and volunteers who work hard to make a difference every day.” 

MICHAEL PRIVETTE

Senior Vice President, Field Management & Development

As Senior Vice President, Field Management & Development, Michael oversees the Arthritis Foundation’s community engagement and fundraising departments including major giving, foundation relations and corporate relations. Michael also leads field staff in nearly 65 communities across the country.

Michael has more than 17 years of nonprofit experience with the American Heart Association (AHA), Human Rights Campaign and Witness for Peace. He joins the Arthritis Foundation after serving as the AHA’s National Lead for national corporate relations, during which time he secured one of the largest corporate sponsorship commitments in the organization’s history. Michael’s previous roles at the AHA include National Director of Go Red for Women and Executive Director for Metro Atlanta.

Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis on nonprofit studies. He resides in Atlanta with his husband and their one-year-old twins.

“Since 1948, the Arthritis Foundation has united patients, health care providers and communities to improve the lives of those living with arthritis and to boldly pursue a cure,” says Michael. “I’m honored to be a part of this proud legacy and to work alongside our passionate staff and extraordinary volunteers to realize a future free from arthritis.” 

SABRINA SEXTON

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications 

As Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications of the Arthritis Foundation, Sabrina is responsible for increasing the Foundation’s visibility and connecting a wide range of audiences with their mission to help nearly 60 million Americans conquer arthritis. Sabrina oversees a team of professionals who develop and implement marketing, communications, content, brand and digital experience strategies to engage stakeholders, supporters and constituents — and improve the lives of arthritis patients and caregivers.

Sabrina has over 20 years of experience working across sectors and industries. Prior to joining the Arthritis Foundation, Sabrina held digital and product leadership roles at a variety of for-profit companies including NCR and Stanley Black & Decker, where her success in building and implementing the first digital marketing and customer experience strategy for a global $2B business line was recognized with the company’s highest award. She discovered her passion for nonprofit work when she led digital for the American Cancer Society, where she drove strategies for increasing supporter engagement in the mission and launching cancer prevention and wellness campaigns. She began her career in agencies and consulting, supporting clients such as The Coca-Cola Company, Goldman Sachs and Royal Caribbean International on public- and employee-facing digital marketing and communications initiatives.

Sabrina is based in Atlanta, GA, and is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

CATHY HOOD, SPHR, MBA

Senior Vice President, People Operations

As senior vice president of people operations, Cathy oversees the Arthritis Foundation’s human resources, learning & development and risk management areas including payroll, benefits, and liability insurance programs. Her team develops and executes strategies related to recruitment, talent management, employee engagement, training, professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Cathy has over 30 years of experience in the field of human resources including nonprofit and technology focused organizations. She has previously served as VP, Human Resources for several organizations including the United Way of Metro Atlanta.

Cathy holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia State University as well as an executive MBA from Mercer University. She has also earned a Senior Professional Human Resources certification. Cathy has three sons and she and her family reside in the metro Atlanta area.

"It is my honor and pleasure to work with so many passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers as we continue to improve the quality of life for all who live with the pain of arthritis," says Cathy. "Through our programs and initiatives, we are truly changing lives every day and I’m proud to serve and support such an incredible organization."

KEITH MEADE

Vice President, Constituent Strategies

As Vice President of Constituent Strategies, Keith Meade leads the organization’s efforts to better understand our constituents in how they interact with us and how we can better serve all those impacted by arthritis. This includes leading our efforts around CRM and enabling data-driven strategies across all areas of our organization. 

Before joining the Arthritis Foundation, Keith served as a marketing consultant with marketing automation companies including Acoustic and IBM. There he helped deliver significant results for nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies. He has a passion for helping organizations unlock results from their data. He has worked with great organizations like AT&T, General Mills, FOX Television Stations, and hometown favorites including the American Cancer Society, the Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United.  

His work has won awards including an Emmy Award with FOX Television Stations and an honorary Webby Award with a digital agency here in Atlanta. 

Keith is a graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Mass Communications degree. He is also an arthritis patient, diagnosed with osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis in January 2022. He is grateful to have joined the Arthritis Foundation during this time, which has helped him navigate his diagnosis well as he continues to Live Yes! with his wife and two teenage sons in Marietta, GA. 

SHERIESE DEFRUSCIO

Vice President, Executive Administration & Special Projects

Sheriese DeFruscio joined the Arthritis Foundation as Vice President of Executive Administration & Special Projects in 2022. As a member of the Senior Team, she provides coordination and support for the CEO and Senior Leadership Team and facilitates special projects and initiatives.  

Sheriese joined the Arthritis Foundation after 17 years at the Sjogren’s Foundation, where she most recently served as the Vice President of Corporate Relations and Strategic Initiatives and successfully led the national corporate membership program and industry partnerships, and oversaw fundraising events nationwide.  

Sheriese began her career in nonprofit over two decades ago as the Director of Corporate Relations for the American Heart Association in upstate New York. With an emphasis on corporate relations, fundraising and special events, she has raised millions of dollars throughout her career, which has contributed to advancing research, education and disease awareness. 

Sheriese has dedicated her career to working in the nonprofit sector and is passionate about making a difference across the communities that she serves. 

"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with an incredible team of dedicated staff and volunteers as we strive to make an impact and improve the lives of all those living with arthritis," says Sheriese. 

DENNIS EHLING

Chair, Board of Directors

Dennis Ehling was named chair of the Arthritis Foundation’s Board of Directors in January 2025.

Dennis is a partner at Blank Rome LLP, where he co-chairs the firm’s Gaming practice. He specializes in complex commercial litigation, transactions, governance, blockchain, payments, and all facets of the gaming industry. A recognized thought leader, his work has been published in World Sports Law Report, Transaction World Magazine, Los Angeles Daily Journal, IGamingNews, eCommerce Law Reports, and World Online Gambling Law Report.

 A dedicated advocate and longtime supporter, Dennis has been involved with the Arthritis Foundation since 2006, when he first participated as a rider in the California Coast Classic Bike Tour. An avid cyclist, he and his wife Peggy — who lives with arthritis — have completed the 525-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles every year since then, raising funds to support the Foundation’s mission.

Dennis joined the Arthritis Foundation’s National Board of Directors in 2014 after serving on the Pacific Region Board. He provided enthusiastic leadership as co-chair of the National Advocacy Committee and California Coast Classic for several years.

“The more I got to know about the Arthritis Foundation — its incredible community, dedicated staff, and passionate volunteers — the more I wanted to contribute,” Dennis says. “I’m honored to help advance its mission and make a real difference for people living with arthritis.”

Dennis Ehling | Chair | California 

Winell Belfonte | Vice Chair | Maryland 

Carlos Carasco | Treasurer | Florida

Helen King | Secretary | Pennsylvania 

Matt Mooney | Immediate Past Chair | Georgia 

Steven Taylor | President & CEO | Florida

Robin Dore, MD | California

Mark Froimson, MD | Ohio

Mary Crow, MD | Ohio

Paulo Pinho, MD | New Jersey    

David Felson, MD | Massachusetts

Tonya Horton, PhD | New Jersey

Mark Box, MD | Kansas

Robert Santiago | Massachusetts

Jennifer Tonning | New Hampshire

Wesley Mizutani, MD | California