Leadership

Meet the dedicated leaders who guide the Arthritis Foundation in the fight to conquer arthritis with life-changing science, resources, advocacy and community connections for all people living with America’s #1 cause of disability.

National Leadership Team

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 Delivery

Vickie joined the Arthritis Foundation in 1996 and has held roles of increasing responsibility in mission delivery.

As senior vice president of mission delivery, Vickie oversees mission-driven initiatives across the organization, including patient education and engagement, juvenile arthritis programs and enterprise-wide health partnerships. Her team develops and executes consumer-based patient education resources and tools, develops strategies that drive patient and volunteer engagement in mission opportunities, and maintains an appropriate feedback loop with patients, volunteers and staff for ongoing quality improvement.

Vickie holds a Master of Public Health, Public Education and Promotion from the University of California, Los Angeles. She resides in Arcadia, California.

“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.”

KELLY MARTIN

Senior Vice President, Operations

As senior vice president of operations, Kelly is responsible for providing oversight and strategy development for operations, information technology and finance.

Kelly comes to us from Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), where he most recently served as vice president of business strategies. While working at BIO, Kelly was responsible for driving strategic growth planning and key improvements in revenue generation, internal systems, data processes and financial operations.

Kelly has diverse leadership experience in association, nonprofit and commercial organizations. He has delivered positive business outcomes in roles at the American International Automobile Dealers Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, the American National Red Cross, Lockheed Martin and Sycamore Networks.

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Cincinnati. He resides in the Washington D.C. area.

“I am honored to be a part of the life-changing work we do at the Arthritis Foundation,” says Kelly. “Seeing the direct impact we have on people battling arthritis inspires us to work even harder each day to fulfill our mission, so we can touch more lives.”

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.

“For nearly 75 years, the Arthritis Foundation has united patients, healthcare 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 non-profit 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

Vice President, People Operations

As 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 non-profit 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.

MATT MOONEY

Chair, Board of Directors

Matt Mooney was named chair of the Arthritis Foundation’s Board of Directors in November 2022.

A co-president of ON Partners, a nationally ranked executive search firm, Matt has more than 30 years of consulting experience serving clients across the technology, consumer products, industrial, financial and professional services sectors. He has placed over 500 executives in C-level, general management and board leadership positions for public and private companies.

Matt is a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Arthritis Foundation. Inspired by their daughter who has lived with juvenile arthritis since age 2, Matt and his wife Heidi Hoffman Mooney support the Arthritis Foundation nationally and in their home state of Georgia. Matt joined the national board of directors in November 2014. Before ascending to the role of board chair, he served as vice chair. He also served as chair of the Foundation’s Southeast Region Board and chair of the annual Jingle Bell Run in Georgia. He is also a member of the Georgia Leadership Council.

“I am incredibly proud to be the incoming chair of the Arthritis Foundation’s national board of directors,” says Matt. “We have a strong set of priorities, including advancing our scientific agenda by funding innovative research and enabling the development of a diverse rheumatology workforce.”

Meet Our Board

2023 National Board Roster

Officers & Executive Committee

Board of Directors