BOARD VOLUNTEERS
Angela Clark
PRESIDENT & CEO
Originally from Georgia, Angela received her B.A. in political science from Maryville College (TN) and her master’s degree in Western European government and politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. In the past, she enjoyed a career in the federal government and also worked in local radio and television. Most recently, she served as a marketing director at a private school. She and her husband have a son and a daughter. Angela became involved in Propel a Cure after the Crohn’s diagnosis of a relative and is passionate about supporting innovative research that pushes beyond the current therapy landscape to ultimately lead us to a cure.
Tracy Loewenthal
​VICE PRESIDENT, DONOR RELATIONS
Tracy has a background in non-profit association management. She was an executive at a medical association for several years and prior to that was a healthcare management consultant, working with pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies. She has a Masters in Health Services Administration as well as an MBA from the University of Michigan. Tracy lives in Highland Park, Illinois with her husband and 3 children. Her son was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease in 2019 and has been unable to achieve lasting remission. She believes that better scientific understanding of inflammation, as both a cause and effect of disease, is pivotal to a cure. She joined Propel a Cure to help scientists achieve this goal.
Raihaneh Bokharai
​VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Raihaneh is a strategic consultant with a diverse background spanning both the profit and nonprofit sectors. She received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Saxion University of Applied Sciences and is currently completing a master's in Management with a specialization in Strategy & Innovation at the Open Universiteit. Based in the Netherlands, Raihaneh became a patient advocate after her IBD diagnosis. Through her advocacy, she addresses gaps in patient and clinicians’ needs by collaborating with various stakeholders, developing resources, and contributing to research initiatives. She is a strong proponent of Propel a Cure’s goal-oriented approach of supporting innovative research and brilliant scientists working to advance tangible progress toward a cure for Crohn’s disease in the hope of bringing lasting relief to those affected.
Lisa Kelley
CFO-SECRETARY
Lisa is semi-retired from a career in the accounting field. She began her career as a cost accountant for a development company. She has spent the last several decades as a tax preparer for a local CPA firm. With a history of Crohn’s Disease in both her immediate and extended family, she has a strong personal interest in research regarding the disease. After her youngest son was diagnosed with severe Crohn's Disease in 2011, her pursuit of knowledge about Crohn's Disease became her foremost focus. Lisa has been a board member of Human Paratuberculosis Disease since 2007. She has spent years interacting with researchers, physicians, and patients regarding the possible role of bacteria in Crohn’s Disease. It is her fervent hope that safer treatment, and ultimately a cure, for Crohn's, will be found in the near future. Lisa is a native Californian. She established the Jeremy Michael Kelley Linux Lab at Modesto Junior College in memory of her oldest son to pass on his love of computer science to a new generation of students.
Annabelle Hall
FOUNDER
Annabelle joined the quest for a cure for Crohn’s disease in September 2014 after her son was diagnosed. She watched as her son’s condition quickly deteriorated and feared for his future. Refusing to accept that no cure was possible, she dove into research. Highly committed to helping find a cure, she has been deeply involved in raising awareness and funds for promising research. She has strong faith in the power of science and firmly believes that by providing financial support to innovative scientists, a cure is within grasp. Fluent in French, she spent most of her professional career as a high school teacher in Africa, France, Asia and the U.S. She has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and History from the University of California, San Diego and an M.A with Honors in Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California.