Board of Directors

Erik Henrikson, Chair earned an engineering BS degree from Texas A&M University in 1993 and an MBA from Northeastern University in 2005. He is currently a software engineer at EMC Corporation in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Mr. Henrikson and his wife experienced preeclampsia in both their second and third pregnancies. Although their second child was born at 31 weeks, all four of their children, as well as his wife, are now healthy. After finding the Preeclampsia Foundation during their pregnancy in 2005, he became an active volunteer on the forums. Mr. Henrikson has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2008. His term will expire on 12/31/2013 (non-renewable).

Katie Rielly-Gauvin, Vice-Chair brings more than 20 years of a broad range of business experiences in the pharmaceutical industry.  Ms. Rielly-Gauvin is currently Vice President for RedScript Ventures™ LLC, a new Johnson & Johnson business accelerator created purposely for shaping new, venture stage business investments. Prior to this, she led a cross sector team within Johnson & Johnson to develop a Regenerative Medicine strategy and assess the best strategic options in the shaping of internal and external investments. Ms. Rielly-Gauvin joined Johnson & Johnson in 1993 where she worked as Manager of Infectious Disease Research at Ortho-McNeil. Additionally, Ms. Rielly-Gauvin served as Vice President, Global Strategic Marketing at Johnson & Johnson, responsible for the worldwide strategic marketing efforts for the antipsychotic portfolio. She began her career with Bristol-Myers Squibb as a Research Scientist in both domestic and international clinical drug development. Ms. Rielly-Gauvin graduated from Simmons College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and an MBA in Economics from Rutgers University.  She is an outside board member of the Family Guidance Center as well as for the American Psychiatric Foundation.  She resides in Carversville, PA with her husband and two children. Ms. Rielly-Gauvin has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2011. Her term will expire on 12/31/2013 (renewable).

Richard C. Proctor, Jr., Treasurer, is the Chief Executive Officer of Glenveigh Pharmaceuticals. Glenveigh is a biotech company focused on obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine. The company initiated and is supporting a Phase 2 efficacy study of Digibind® for severe preeclampsia. Mr. Proctor joined Glenveigh in 2005 after 14 years with GlaxoSmithKline in Research Triangle Park, NC, most recently as the Director of US Business Development and Lifecycle Marketing. He was also involved with the Glaxo Wellcome charitable foundation. His background includes senior roles in project management, business development, marketing, and corporate finance. He attended Darlington School, Emory University (BBA), Wake Forest University (MBA), and has received many awards for his scholarship, leadership, and career success. Mr. Proctor has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2007. His term will expire on 12/31/2012 (non-renewable).

Christine Meola, Secretary, has a BS in Psychology and MA in Sociology from Fordham University. She most recently served as the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Pace University. Meola has volunteered for the Foundation for many years, including serving as one of the featured speakers (patient perspective) at the International Preeclampsia Summit in Seattle in 2003, and featured in the program for the 2009 Saving Grace gala in Chicago, along with her son, who was born 13 weeks prematurely due to PE. As a preeclampsia survivor, her interests lie in issues related to the etiology, awareness, and treatment of preeclampsia.  Her entire career has been in non profit management, and in the past decade plus she has served in senior executive fundraising positions in various non-profit, healthcare and educational institutions in New York City. She looks forward to actively participating in the Preeclampsia Foundation's next phase of growth. Ms. Meola has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2012. Her term will expire on 12/31/2014 (renewable).

Kathy Maguire, holds a Master's Degree in early childhood leadership and advocacy, with 20 years' experience in early childhood education. Most recently she worked as a Program Associate and Consultant to child care centers and elementary schools with an emphasis on continuous quality improvement and accreditation attainment. Ms. Maguire began volunteering with the Preeclampsia Foundation in January 2006 after experiencing preeclampsia, which resulted in her daughter's premature birth at 29 weeks. She served as the Director of Volunteer Development, National Walk-a-thon chair, and was honored as the 2007 Preeclampsia Foundation Volunteer of the Year.  Currently she is a stay-at-home mom and lives with her husband and daughter in Indiana. Ms. Maguire has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2011. Her term will expire on 12/31/2013 (renewable).

Dr. Beth Schimel, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of Illinois-Chicago. She has practiced as a clinical ICU pharmacist at a level-one trauma center and as a Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator at a community hospital in the Milwaukee area. Dr. Schimel moved to a position in the Pharmaceutical Industry in 1998. She has practiced as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), a Training & Development director, and as a manager of MSLs at various Pharmaceutical companies. She and her husband live in the Milwaukee metro area. They enjoy traveling, especially to different wine regions in the US. She has served on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals of SE WI. Dr. Schimel has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2008. Her term will expire on 12/31/2013 (non-renewable).

Dan Verakis, founder and CEO of Safety Book, LLC and Principal of Verakis Associates, is an accomplished international business consultant, strategic communicator and project manager with more than 15 years of corporate experience in strategic business and operations objectives. Before beginning his own consulting practice, Mr. Verakis served as Executive Vice President of a leadership and communications firm and led strategic business consulting for many corporate clients. Dan began his career at the Carnegie Institute, managing integrated marketing communications for the Carnegie Science Center.  He holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. Since 2010, Mr. Verakis has assisted the Preeclampsia Foundation in many endeavors, including strategic business planning, website design and brand development. Mr. Verakis has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since January 2011. His term will expire on 12/31/2013 (renewable).

John Warner and his wife, Brenda, own and operate a family farm in eastern Iowa that has been in Mrs. Warner’s family for nearly 140 years. He is also employed at Kraft Foods in the maintenance department. Mr. Warner has been a member of the local Lions Club for 15 years, holding various positions within the club, including President. Mr. Warner has been an active volunteer with the Preeclampsia Foundation since January 2005 when his daughter, Shelly Bridgewater, 25, lost her life due to complications from severe preeclampsia/HELLP Syndrome one week after the birth of her daughter, his first grandchild. The Warners have another daughter, Kimberly. Mr. Warner has served on the Preeclampsia Foundation board since 2007. His term will expire on 12/31/2012 (non-renewable).