For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Carrie L. Strehlau
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation
cstrehlau@hemophilia.org
901-230-4665
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation Names Phil Gattone, M.Ed., Next Chief Executive Officer
Gattone brings decades of experience in nonprofit community engagement, fundraising, strategy
(NEW YORK, NY — February 1, 2024) — The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) Board of Directors announced today that Phil Gattone, M.Ed., is the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. He will take the helm Feb. 12, 2024, to help advance NBDF’s focus of innovative, inclusive research, education, advocacy. Gattone was president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA) from 2012-2019.
“Phil is an organizational leader and communicator who understands the dynamic of a national organization and a chapter network, and he recognizes the importance of a strong collaboration between the two,” said Ryan Griffith, NBDF Board of Directors chair. “He’s skilled at long-term strategy but also knows the importance of adapting and shifting throughout challenging times.”
Under Gattone’s leadership and vision, the EFA experienced record growth in community engagement, strategic partnerships, marketing, programming, and fundraising. In less than 10 years during Gattone’s time as CEO, the EFA’s annual revenues expanded by more than $15 million.
Additionally, Gattone successfully built alliances with multiple community partners, elevating the EFA’s position within the national and global epilepsy community. He introduced new cost-effective solutions that elevated mission impact and united the foundation. For his work, the EFA established the Phil Gattone Award for Exemplary Service to recognize his lifetime of significant achievements.
“This is an era of unprecedented opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to grow NBDF’s impact and capacity to serve our community,” Gattone said. “Together, we will break down barriers to better health and equity, and create resilient, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. And I am honored to continue the tremendous work of Dr. Valentino and eager to serve alongside the NBDF team of passionate volunteers, staff, and board leaders to achieve our shared vision and mission.”
Gattone succeeds Len Valentino, MD, NBDF’s president and CEO since 2020. During his four-year tenure at NBDF, Valentino helped organize programs and events such as the first Health Equity Summit, the Research State of the Science, National Research Blueprint, and Pathway to Cures.
“I am particularly proud of the collaborative effort to bring the Research State of the Science to fruition,” Valentino said. “The program led to the publication of excellent manuscripts that articulate not only the gaps in care but positive areas for continued collaborative research to close these gaps for people living with these disorders and led to the National Research Blueprint for NBDF.”
Pathway to Cures, a venture philanthropy fund, invests in companies that offer the potential to change the lives of those living with inheritable blood and bleeding disorders. “P2C holds the promise to catalyze innovation toward the vision of cures for inherited blood and bleeding disorders and brings the community steps closer to equitable outcomes for all who share in the blood sisterhood and brotherhood,” Valentino said.
Previous to NBDF, Valentino spent three decades as a physician, researcher, and founder and director of the Hemophilia Thrombophilia Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He has led numerous clinical trials and published more than 150 papers on hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
“I am confident Phil will continue to nurture the seeds we’ve planted, which will sprout into the vision of a world without inheritable blood and bleeding disorders,” Valentino said. “I believe this is the right time for a new leader to continue the journey, and I am excited to welcome Phil into this incredible community.”
NBDF’s search committee, along with search firm DHR, diligently worked over six months to find the right person to lead the organization.
“As a team, we conducted listening sessions, and committee member and community surveys to find the characteristics needed for our next leader,” Griffith said. “The search team vetted more than 100 candidates from inside and outside the community. We are thrilled and confident in Phil as the next NBDF president and CEO.”
About the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation
The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) is dedicated to finding cures for inheritable blood and bleeding disorders and to addressing and preventing the complications of these disorders through research, education, and advocacy, enabling people and families to thrive. Today, NBDF serves people across the United States with all bleeding disorders, including hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, and platelet disorders. The foundation also supports a network of 50 chapters across the country. To learn more, visit www.hemophilia.org and follow NBDF across social media at @nbdf_foundation.
