Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Names New Board Chair, Elects Two New Trustees

Contact: Rachel Peifer 
[email protected] 

NEW YORK, NY – The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation announced that Annette R. Martinez has been appointed Chair of its National Board of Trustees, and two new trustees have been elected to the Board – David Johnson and Elizabeth Orgel.

 “Annette has been an invaluable member of our Board and a trusted advisor to the Foundation,” said Michael Osso, President & CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. “Her strategic insight, passion for our patient community, and deep commitment to our mission make her an outstanding leader to guide the Foundation into its next chapter. I am excited to partner with Annette, along with our dedicated Board, staff, and volunteers, as we accelerate progress toward a future free from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis." 

Over her more than three-decade career at State Farm, Martinez rose to Senior Vice President, with company-wide responsibility for Human Resources & Development, Public Affairs, Executive Development & Succession, Corporate Responsibility, and Diversity & Inclusion, bringing more than 34 years of leadership experience to her role as Board Chair.

Martinez has been widely recognized for her leadership and commitment to equity, receiving honors such as Black Enterprise Top Executive in Corporate Diversity, National Association for Female Executives Diversity Champion for Women, Worldwide Top 100 CHRO, and the National Diversity Council Power 50 Award, as well as being named an Honored Alumni of the University of Northern Colorado. Martinez joined the National Board of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in 2021 and currently chairs the Compensation & Benefits Committee. As a person living with Crohn’s disease, Martinez is personally and passionately committed to advancing the Foundation’s mission and is active in other nonprofits in her community.

Joining Annette on the board are two new trustees: 

David Johnson is a seasoned healthcare executive and board leader recognized for driving innovation in patient care across the medical technology sector. He has held CEO and board roles with organizations including Convatec, Alliqua Biomedical, and Enveric Life Sciences. His commitment to improving patient outcomes is reflected in his involvement with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Great Comebacks Program and his close connections to individuals affected by IBD. A graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and a Fellow of The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, he brings more than three decades of leadership experience to his work.

Elizabeth Orgel brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing, beginning her career in journalism before moving into senior communications roles at Oracle and leading public relations firms. She has advised executive teams on corporate positioning, media strategy, investor relations, and organizational growth, and later worked as an independent communications advisor and partner at a women-backed venture capital group focused on early-stage companies. Active in the nonprofit community, she has been deeply involved with the Foundation since 2010, serving as President of its New England Chapter from 2020 to 2026 and currently contributing to the national advancement and national advocacy committees. Elizabeth holds a master’s degree from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University.

About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

 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.