By Ruth Geismar
I just wanted to say a few words and to thank Anil Vora for his commitment and dedication to the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED). Anil is not only my mentor and Executive Director Mary Fete’s but has been a pillar and backbone of this organization. Anil has been a family member for 30+ years. We’ve seen his son, Sean, grow up with the NFED and now is a proud father, and Anil a grandfather, to beautiful Soley.
Before we had Kids Camp at Family Conference, we enlisted the help of volunteers to help watch the kids. Anil was always the first to volunteer and where was he? In the room with all the babies.
Anil became Board President in 2011. When NFED founder Mary Kaye Richter retired, he pretty much ran the foundation, becoming the executive director until we found her successor. Two years later, thank god for Anil. He assumed the same responsibility when there was another vacancy in the executive director’s office – all while bouncing around the globe and managing his own career.
We can always count on Anil. He has never missed a Family Conference, never missed a meeting and is always present when you need him. Needless to say, we are so thankful and couldn’t be more blessed to have him. He challenges all of us to think bigger and move that dial. For a small organization, we sure do get a lot accomplished but there always is more. And Anil has taught us all that.
So, after 12 years our bylaws read that one must step down from the board. But don’t worry. He still will be here as our financial advisor and he is coming back on the board next year. Right, Anil?
For now, we just want to thank you for 12 unwavering years and let you know how grateful we are for all that you do for the NFED.
– Ruth Geismar is the co-president of the Board of Directors for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias. She lives in Manhasset, New York, with her husband, Keith and three sons, Jack, David, and Ryan, who has ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-clefting (AEC) syndrome.
As a former Board member I was always kept on my toes by Anil! He has been and continues to be a tremendous asset to the NFED!
This is so sweet. Thank you for your kindness and leadership, Anil.
Thank you to Anil for everything he has done and done so well – what an asset to the NFED, its staff, and its families.