Our governing board is lean, efficient, and effective. We maintain no staff and each board member contributes to our operation so as to keep expenses to a minimum. We abide by all state and federal regulations to maintain our 501(c)(3) registered status.
Our Honorary Board recognizes those individuals that, in our opinion, have made, and continue to make, an extraordinary impact in the fight against Amyloidosis. We are proud that they have agreed to join our effort.
Mackenzie Boedicker
Mackenzie is founder, president, and chairman of the board for Mackenzie’s Mission. She provides leadership, sets the strategic direction and oversees the execution of all aspects of the foundation.
This past year she devoted her time largely to Mackenzie’s Mission and the work of the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau. Outside of the foundation, she continued my travels, having spent time in the Arctic in search of polar bears, as well as exploring the beautiful country of Turkey. She is now working towards her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies at her alma mater, Northeastern University, with the anticipation of graduating in the Fall of 2024.
Previously, Mackenzie finished a two-year term as a research associate at Harvard Medical School, investigating a novel cell culturing technique for breast cancer.
Additionally, for the past seven years she has been a student observer at Inova Fairfax Hospital, observing surgeries and outpatient visits in their orthopedic trauma department. While at Northeastern University, she was an active member of GlobeMed for four years and lead a trip to their longstanding partner organization in Uganda, focused on identifying and addressing water and sanitation needs of rural communities. Mackenzie shadowed several surgeons for three weeks at Life Gaborone Private Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. She has co-authored two publications in the Journal of Global Public Health and a third publication while working at Harvard Medical School. Most recently, she co-authored “Evaluating the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau: the influence of amyloidosis patients’ narratives on medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intent,” published on MedEdPublish, and a chapter titled “The Impact of AL Amyloidosis: The Patient Experience” published in Systemic Amyloidosis Due to Monoclonal Immunoglobulins.
Mackenzie graduated Cum Laude from Northeastern University, earning a B.S. in Health Science with a Minor in Biology.
Deb Boedicker
Deb is an active philanthropist. At present she is board member and treasurer for Mackenzie’s Mission, operating committee member for the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau, board member for TIFF Advisory Services, and on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Boston University School of Medicine. In the past she has served as board chair for MentorPrize, a member of the Advisory Board for Northeastern University’s venture accelerator IDEA, a Benefit Plan Investment Committee member for the American Red Cross; and a member of the Board of Managers for Strategic Investment Group.
She is an accomplished executive in the U.S. institutional investment management industry focused on driving growth and increasing profitability through developing/executing strategies and building/managing teams for sales and client service, and digital/print marketing and branding. In addition, she has experience in developing effective investment management governance structures and defining roles and responsibilities to enhance operational efficiency.
Most recently, she co-authored “Evaluating the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau: the influence of amyloidosis patients’ narratives on medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intent,” published on MedEdPublish. Deb has published numerous articles in the areas of OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) and governance. She has spoken at industry conferences, has been featured in articles and webinars, and appeared on Executive Leaders Radio. She co-authored the book Expert Systems for the Technical Professional (Wiley & Sons, Inc.), authored a case study How Corporate America is Changing: Expert Systems Today, and published articles in the area of artificial intelligence. Deb holds a B.S. in Finance and Mathematics from California State University, Long Beach and an M.B.A. from University of California, Irvine. She was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Mark Boedicker
Mark is a board member of Mackenzie’s Mission and contributes to strategic planning while bringing significant expertise in fundraising, marketing, and event planning. In addition, Mark is active in mid-Atlantic golf, having played for over 50 years. He is chairman of the Northern Virginia Golf Association where he is senior tournament director, and a member of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, VA.
He enjoys mentoring younger golfers.
Mark is skilled in strategic planning and developing strategies for growth, with expertise in effective execution for retail businesses.
Mark holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Management from California State University, Fullerton.
Griffin Boedicker
Griffin is a board member of Mackenzie’s Mission, contributing to strategic planning as well as fundraising and marketing. Specifics include raising awareness campaigns and taking the lead on technology and digital/social media.
At present, he is working towards his Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies at Tufts University, with the anticipation of graduating in end-2024. He works part-time as an Orthopedic Technician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Previously, he served as a head coach for the Northeastern University Club Roller Hockey team for multiple seasons. In addition, he volunteers by giving back to the local community at Rosie’s Place. During his free time, Griffin loves to learn more about technology, play tennis, hockey, and spend time with his friends and family.
Griffin graduated from Northeastern University in May 2021 magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in Health Science.
HONORARY BOARD
Morie A. Gertz, M.D.
The Chair of Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Dr. Gertz is a pioneer in the field of Amyloidosis and known worldwide for his decades of work in both treating patients and leading Mayo’s Amyloidosis Research Fund. The Fund focuses on three areas: clinical trials research, outcomes research, and maintaining Mayo’s large tissue repository and bio bank.
Muriel Finkel
Over twenty years ago, Muriel Finkel lost a dear uncle to Amyloidosis. She felt a driving need to help others affected and founded Amyloidosis Support Groups. A.S.G., a registered 501(c)(3). The organization is dedicated to supporting Amyloidosis patients, caregivers, and former caregivers, and carries this out by setting up and helping to maintain A.S.G. meetings across the country. Muriel’s tireless dedication over multiple decades is strengthened by a group of wonderful colleagues to help make it all happen. A.S.G.’s website www.amyloidosissupport.org and multiple Facebook groups provide an extraordinary amount of information and support to those affected.
Isabelle Lousada
For the past twenty years, Isabelle has been committed to empowering amyloidosis patients while serving on several boards and committees, speaking at leadership meetings and key events to encourage research, increase access, and support the critical and unmet patient needs. She has been the driving force behind the Amyloidosis Research Consortium, building successful collaborations and programs across the sectors to advance the science and understanding of the amyloidosis diseases. Herself an AL amyloidosis patient, she was one of the first to successfully undergo a stem cell transplant.
