Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Names New Board Chair-Elect, Elects Four New Trustees

Contact: Rachel Peifer 
[email protected] 

NEW YORK, NY – The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation announced that Annette R. Martinez has been appointed Chair-Elect of its National Board of Trustees, and four new trustees have been elected to the Board – Alfredo Cepero, CPA; Fabio Cominelli, MD, PhD; Ugo Iroko, MD; and Sandra Quezada, MD. 

"Annette has been an invaluable member of our board and a trusted advisor to the Foundation. I look forward to collaborating with her in her new leadership position," said Michael Osso, President & CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. "As we embark on this exciting chapter for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, I am confident that Annette's expertise will help us drive significant progress toward our mission of creating a world free from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis." 

Over her three-decade-long career at State Farm, Martinez held various leadership roles, including overseeing Human Resources, Public Affairs, and Executive Development. Martinez is also involved with several community organizations, such as UnidosUS and the Carle Cancer Institute, and has been recognized for her leadership and diversity efforts with numerous awards. Her extensive experience and commitment to community development make her an exceptional choice for Chair-Elect. 

Joining Annette on the board are four new trustees: 

Alfredo Cepero, CPA, Assurance Market Leader, BDO, USA  

Fabio Cominelli, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, was appointed. Chair-Elect of the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC).

Ugo Iroku, MD, Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, and practicing gastroenterologist at Summit Health, NYC.  

Sandra Quezada, MD, MS, AGAF, Associate Dean for Admissions, Associate Dean for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion, and Professor of Medicine in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. 

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization focused on both research and patient support for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the mission of curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with IBD. The Foundation’s work is dramatically accelerating the research process, while also providing extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public. For more information, visit http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org.