This year Foregen is beginning an exciting new era. We are happy to announce some changes to our organization that we believe will bring us to the next level in our efforts to advance the use of regenerative medicine in restoring the foreskin with its natural benefits and functions.
First off, we are pleased to announce a new Board of Directors and governance structure for Foregen. The Board will be helmed by Foregen Founder and President Vincenzo Aiello, and joined by Executive Advisors Adam and Shingo Lavine, alongside a few new names as well. Firstly, Peter W. Adler, a pioneer in the legal effort to change the narrative around circumcision, will join the Board.
Professor Adler graduated with honors in philosophy from Dartmouth College (B.A.) and Cambridge University (M.A.), and he earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was an editor of the Virginia Law Review and the Virginia Journal of International Law. After graduating, Peter worked as a partner in a Boston area law firm in charge of corporate law and civil litigation. He has published ten law review articles and a book, most of which focus on children's rights under U.S. and international human rights law. Peter’s business experience includes working as a Vice President in the European Division of an international bank. He also started one of the first eCommerce companies and sold it to a Fortune 500 company, where he worked in senior management helping to build and run its eCommerce department.
In addition, we are pleased to announce Aiko Nomura Lavine, a highly experienced expert in international governance and structure and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) will also join the Board. Ms. Lavine represents the Lavine Family Giving fund which has been a generous donor to Foregen and will help with Foregen’s governance, oversight, and structure moving forward. She will join to help support Foregen’s unique and important mission.
Nino Hope will be joining the Foregen Board of Directors as our new Treasurer. Nino comes with a Masters in Chemical Engineering and decades of providing consulting services in business operations management to Microsoft. She specializes in financial portfolio management, operational efficiencies, process improvements, and business planning. She is joining the Board to help Foregen succeed in our mission, and will be responsible for tracking and reporting on progress in Italy and the United States, communications and financial oversight.
Foregen is also promoting Ryan Jones to Chief Operating Officer. Ryan earned a Master in Public Administration degree from the University of Arizona and has international non-profit experience in public relations and project management. He has been responsible for Foregen’s media, communications, branding, and for growing the awareness of Foregen’s mission in both mainstream and activist media channels. He has also contributed new research via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and other methods, shedding new light on current issues related to non-therapeutic infant circumcision.
Next, Foregen is promoting William Musa to Chief Science Officer. William graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with his MS in Biotechnology. He has experience in a variety of scientific applications, including the use of animal husbandry for laboratory settings as well as experience with human tissue. His primary responsibilities will be to coordinate the scientific activities between the U.S. and Italy, including reporting, scientific experiments, tissue sourcing, and pioneering a new bioreactor process to promote the healing of tissue post-surgery. Mr. Musa is also a long-time supporter, donor, and volunteer, with an active interest in advancing medical ethics and protecting the human rights of those affected by circumcision.
Last but certainly not least we would like to thank Eric Cunningham, Foregen’s former Chief Science Officer, Matthew Serody, Foregen’s former Senior Director, and Tyler Drozd, Foregen's former Chief Operations Officer, for their service and commitment to our mission. Each has moved on in pursuit of other opportunities. Their work with Foregen is highly appreciated as they have played fundamental roles in building Foregen up into what it is today. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and we sincerely thank Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Serody, and Mr. Drozd for their dedicated service. Foregen is excited for the future and appreciates the strong foundation that they left in their wake.
As we anticipate the future with renewed excitement, we would like to express our gratitude for the community that supports Foregen’s mission and makes our work possible. It is all of you who helped turn 2022 into a stellar year, and we look forward to achieving new milestones in this next great chapter together.