Alice Bast, Founder & President
Alice Bast founded the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness based on her personal experience with celiac disease. Her own diagnosis ignited her passion to help the estimated three million Americans with celiac disease receive prompt and accurate diagnosis. Alice helped the foundation gain official status as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization in December 2003 and began work on its dual mission of raising awareness of celiac disease to reduce the time to diagnosis as well as raising funds for research, education and screening that will improve the quality of life of those who suffer. Alice has joined a number of key committees responsible for promoting new approaches to health care and working to effect positive change in the communities they serve. These include National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ad Hoc Committee, FDA (Food & Drug Administration) Alliance, Digestive Disease Coalition, FDA Panel on Food Labeling, and the NIDDK/NIH Awareness Campaign Committee. Locally, she is a co-chair of the Greater Philadelphia Area Celiac Support Group serving over 750 members. Alice works out of the NFCA Philadelphia office. E-mail Alice Bast
Nancy Ginter, Director of Operations
Nancy Ginter joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in June of 2004 after working extensively for AT&T leading a global sales team focused on the needs of multi-national corporations. At NFCA, Nancy works across departmental lines to assist in operational matters along with programming, Philadelphia area events, contracts and sponsorship. Nancy also is responsible for the NFCA Speakers Bureau, contributing to NFCA publications and working on NFCA programs for raising awareness. Nancy works in the Philadelphia office. E-mail Nancy Ginter
Nancy Baker, Director of Education and NFCA GREAT Food Service Programs
Nancy Baker joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in January of 2008 after merging her gluten-free educational projects The Celiac Site and GREAT with the non-profit. Nancy holds a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University and a Masters in Education from the University of Texas. Her experience in addition to classroom work includes being a former vice principal, chairing school accreditation, writing for newspapers in education, and curriculum construction both nationally and internationally. Until there is a pharmaceutical cure in place, at NFCA, Nancy guides post-diagnosis support with gluten-free education for chefs, kitchens, and dietitians. Nancy works for NFCA remotely from Seattle. E-mail Nancy Baker
Nick Eubanks, Director of Web Operations
Nick Eubanks, managing director at atomni, was brought on at the end of 2008 to help the NFCA align all of their web marketing initiatives. Nick comes with more than 3 years of search engine optimization (SEO) architecture and optimized design experience. Nick envisions a world where the design of information breeds syndication and learning. With his passion for information design and extensive content management experience he hopes to spread awareness of celiac disease. E-mail Nick Eubanks
Emily Freedner, Newsletter Editor
Emily Freedner joined the NFCA staff in August 2008. She graduated from Ithaca College in May, 2007 with a degree in Psychology and Human Services. Emily has been living gluten-free for over a year now and is very familiar with the challenges celiac can present. She wants to help people understand that these challenges can develop into a passion for cooking and exposure to new and interesting alternatives to favorite foods. Most importantly, she wants to encourage others to see the diagnosis in a positive light. Emily is thrilled about being part of an organization that is helping to improve the lives of others with celiac and raise awareness about the disease. Emily oversees the editing of our newsletter and is located in Washington, DC. E-mail Emily Freedner
Peg Feathers-Long, Director of Finance
Peg began working with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in June 2009. Peg attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School where she graduated with honors in accounting. She has served as Controller for a number of businesses in the Greater Philadelphia Area. At NFCA, Peg is responsible for the day-to-day financial activities of the organization, as well as annual reporting and governmental compliance matters. Peg also joins the NFCA team in planning for special events. Peg works out of the NFCA Philadelphia office. Email Peg Feathers-Long
Christine Auman, Vendor Relations Manager
Christine Auman joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in March 2008. Christine’s work at NFCA includes day-to-day office management, coordination of local special events, including NFCA’s Celiac Awareness Day with the Philadelphia Phillies and Celiac Awareness Night at the Philadelphia 76ers. Chris has been an active community volunteer and fundraiser for Warminster, Bucks County for 10 years and is an active member of the Greater Philadelphia Celiac Support Group. In addition to her volunteer efforts, Christine has been in the event planning and catering business for over 30 years. Christine is a licensed massage therapist and a Reiki and IET Master Instructor. Christine and one of her twin daughters were diagnosed with celiac disease and DH in September 2007. Christine works out of the Philadelphia office. E-mail Christine Auman
Loretta Jay, Director of Program Development
Loretta Jay has worked with NFCA since January 2008 overseeing the development and management of special projects, including GREAT Healthcare. A community planner, Loretta has an MA in Community Psychology. Her background includes managing and training protective service staff and coordinating community programs for Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families. In 2001, she founded Parasol, an organization specializing in the management of food allergies and celiac disease for individuals and organizations. Loretta volunteers with a number of associations focused on celiac disease and food-allergy related activities, including serving as past Co-Chair for the Connecticut’s Children’s Celiac Group and Co-Founder and Chair of the Connecticut Celiac Walkathon. Her articles about managing food restrictions are a resource to families domestically and internationally. Loretta works remotely from Connecticut. E-mail Loretta Jay
Whitney Ehret, Director of Communications
Whitney Ehret joined the staff of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in September 2008 initially focusing on special events. Whitney is a recent graduate of the Villanova University School of Arts and Sciences. In addition to her duties at NFCA, Whitney works part-time at CBS Sports as a Production Assistant and Stage Manager for on-site NFL, NCAA, USTA, and PGA broadcasts nationwide. In addition, Whitney works with the National Football League, NFL Films and The NFL Network, as a Production Assistant for NFL broadcasts in New York and Washington, as well as at their Mount Laurel, NJ headquarters. Whitney has embraced the cause of celiac disease and is enthusiastic about spreading awareness of this often overlooked illness. Whitney works out of the Philadelphia office. E-mail Whitney Ehret
Jennifer North, Director of Development
Jennifer joined the staff of NFCA in 2009 as the organization’s first full-time development officer. She formerly served as the Vice-President of Development for JCCs of Greater Philadelphia. Her diverse skill set stems from professional and board roles in communications, development, programming, assessment, strategic planning and operational management for organizations addressing a range of critical community issues. For the last three years, she has been contracted by the federal Department of Health and Human Services as a grant reviewer for the Compassion Capital Fund’s Targeted Capacity-Building and Demonstration Programs. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Adult and Organizational Development and she serves on the board of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and as the Secretary of the Cherry Hill Human Relations Council, appointed by Mayor Bernie Platt. Jennifer was introduced to Celiac Disease in 2008 when her daughter was diagnosed. Email Jennifer North
Atlantis Lacy, Social Media Manager
Atlantis Lacy joined the staff of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in February 2009. She will focus on NFCA's Facebook pages and groups, NFCA’s LinkedIn page, and NFCA’s twitter account/page. Atlantis also will assist with Content Management, SEO, and HTML for NFCA's website. Atlantis recently moved to Philadelphia from California where she earned a degree in Computer Electronics and a certificate in computer repair. Atlantis plans to put her knowledge of computer languages and programs to work at NFCA, extending her education into the real world environment. Atlantis works out of the NFCA Philadelphia office. Email Atlantis Lacy
Jacquelyn Gallagher, Volunteer - info@CeliacCentral mailbox
Jacque joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in May 2009 as a volunteer. She has joined a team of volunteers who answer questions that come into the NFCA information mailbox (info@celiaccentral.org) from the celiac/gluten intolerant community. She was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2002 and has become quite interested in helping others who have questions concerning celiac. Jacque recently retired from teaching in the Lower Merion School District in Wynnewood, PA. Having taught all grade levels from kindergarten through fifth grade proved to be a fascinating career. She has also taught school in Michigan, Connecticut and outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Jacque lives in Devon, PA with her husband Chris and has one daughter, Jennifer, who works and lives in the Washington DC area.
Rebecca Podio joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in January of 2009. She works with the NFCA staff to help answer requests and questions that are received through the celiaccentral.org info line. Rebecca is currently pursuing two Bachelors degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Business Administration at the University of Wyoming and plans to graduate in May 2012. She is involved in a wide variety of activities including competing at Miss Wyoming 2009, being a member of the University of Wyoming Rodeo Team, Delta Delta Delta, the Society of Petroleum Engineers and being a Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming volunteer. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the late part of 2008.
Nicole Seitz joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in August 2008 as one of the volunteers who answers messages sent to the info@celiaccentral.org email account. She enjoys having one-on-one exchanges with people who have questions about symptoms, screening, and adjusting to a gluten-free lifestyle. Nicole learned that she was gluten sensitive in 2003, and felt dramatically better when she began following a gluten-free diet. Because of her personal experience in regaining her health, Nicole has a special interest in helping others make healthy lifestyle changes. In 2007, she earned a certification as a Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Nicole is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She would like to eventually specialize in health psychology.
Gayle Wald, Volunteer
Gayle Wald began volunteering with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in August 2009, and answers messages sent to the info@celiaccentral.org email account. Gayle learned that she has celiac disease in 2008, and is grateful for having been diagnosed promptly and correctly by a knowledgeable gastroenterologist. She enjoys cooking and has had fun figuring out how to adapt her diet to foods that are naturally gluten-free, although she also makes a mean gluten-free muffin and corn bread. Gayle is an avid runner with a special interest in athletes (recreational or otherwise) who have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Gayle is Professor of English at George Washington University in Washington, DC, where she lives with her husband and son, Zachary.
Heather Stern, Volunteer
Heather Stern joined the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in May of 2009 as an enthusiastic volunteer. She will work with the NFCA staff on administrative matters and special programs. Heather holds a Masters degree in Education with a focus on Psychological Services/Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania. Her experiences include working as the Assistant Director for a residential camp in the Poconos, serving as the Program Director for student activities at the UCLA Hillel in California and most recently working in a Philadelphia Elementary school as a School Counseling Intern. She was diagnosed as gluten-intolerant in 2007, but learned the ropes from her two younger sisters who were both diagnosed with Celiac in 2003. Heather loves food-especially tasting gluten-free delights from all around the world, most recently having visited India, Israel, Greece, France, Belgium, Ireland and Germany.