BACKBONES counts on the leadership of our Board of Directors to make sure everything is running smoothly. They give of their time, skill and effort to serve all of our friends, families and partners. Get to know them and give them a High-Five when you pass them on the street!

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Visala James (Switzerland)

(President) Visala is a corporate executive with over 30 years experience driving new businesses in Fortune 500 companies in Packaged Goods, Toys, Healthcare and Agriculture industries. She is a global citizen having lived in Malaysia, UK and US. She currently resides in Switzerland with her husband and her mother. They have 2 daughters. Visalás husband, Rob had a near fatal accident end 2018. He broke his spine (T4-5) and is now in a wheelchair. She found herself in the unexpected role of providing support for her husband - navigating European healthcare systems, learning what the world of spinal cord injury is about and how to navigate the emotional and physical rollercoaster ride of rehabilitation. Together with Rob, Visala has now chosen to leverage her knowledge and experience to be of service to others affected by Spinal Cord Injuries.

Lori Hand Jankowski (Maryland)

Lori has over 30 years of experience in public relations, brand management, marketing, & writing. Her career began as a writer for Governor Kerrey of Nebraska and transitioned to a policy writer and lobbyist for the National Association of Realtors. In 1990 she opened her own marketing firm, Access Management, Inc. with offices in Washington, DC and New York. Her clients included The Gap, Inc., MCI, H20 Plus and Starbucks Coffee Company. She joined Starbucks Coffee Company in 1996 where she expanded the sponsorship and promotional program and helped create an in-store music and CD program. Most recently she has focused her efforts towards charitable & non-profit organizations in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas, specifically in the areas of education, juvenile diabetes and supporting resources for those with SCI/D. Jankowski is a proud mother to four children and resides in suburban Baltimore, Maryland.

Peter Yi (Illinois)

Peter Yi is a global investment executive with over two decades of institutional asset management experience. Peter is currently Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at the private equity firm, Harmonic Equity Partners. Peter also spent 23 years as an Executive Vice President at Northern Trust Asset Management. Peter is frequently interviewed and quoted as a fixed income market subject matter expert on national television and print media such as Bloomberg, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times. Peter is a passionate champion for diversity and inclusion, leading with high integrity and empathy. As a wheelchair user, Peter is also a relentless advocate for the disability community. In his spare time, he works with not-for-profit organizations focusing on the integration of people with disabilities into a more collaborative and inclusive culture.

Eric Larson (Illinois)

Eric is principal of Moving Mountains Advisors, where he consults with nonprofits to help them effectively achieve their missions. He has demonstrated effective leadership in both business and non-profit environments, most recently as executive director of Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra where he led the organization and oversees the program’s programming, marketing, development, and operations. Eric previously served as executive director and CEO of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) where he led the merger of NSCIA with United Spinal Association to form the nation’s largest membership organization focusing on the quality of life for people with paralysis. He has a history of strong marketing communications/public relations and business leadership experience as well as nonprofit management and board development success, where he has served in both volunteer and staff leadership roles. Learn more about Eric at K. Eric Larson | LinkedIn

Allan Samson (New York)

Allan personally recovered from an injury that required him to have three major spinal surgeries. He is currently Regional Head of Security-Americas for Orsted, a global energy company based in Denmark. Previously, Allan was Head of Security for the Xerox Corporation. He was part of the team that helped formulate the Transportation Security Administration's first Diversity Strategic Plan, signed by TSA's Administrator in June 2011 to promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workplace. He attended Fordham University, the Jesuit University of New York, and was a four-year member of the varsity football team. He proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science & Economics. Additionally, he graduated from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) TSA Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP), a comprehensive Succession Plan designed to meet the future leadership needs of the TSA. He attended and completed the Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, Executive Leadership Program. As a civilian, he attended and completed the DHS, U.S Coast Guard Flag Officers/Senior Executive Service (SES), Executive Change Leadership Program, and the Gettysburg Leadership Experience.

Pat Maher (Illinois)

As Director of Civic Engagement at SPR, I have managed our non-profit relationships tied to our mission within the tech sector. I have supported the success of historically overlooked and discounted segments of the workforce - including professionals and aspiring candidates with disabilities, girls and young women, and younger candidates from challenged backgrounds or who lack social capital in the continually evolving technology industry. Our strategic focus has been on supporting students through early in career (EIC) professionals upon whom we believe we can have the greatest impact. I will retire EOY 2024, but will continue to support these populations. I have managed a disability throughout my career and have a natural empathy for others who exhibit a passion for learning and establishing meaningful careers. I have served in leadership roles on many boards, task forces, committees and teams for nearly 40 years in support of enabling our citizens, family, friends, and colleagues from these communities to lead the rich and fulfilling lives they deserve.

Charlis Penson (Maryland)

Charlis is a sales and operations executive with over 15 years of experience driving growth and optimizing performance across global organizations. She is currently Director of Sales Strategy and Enablement at Bloomberg Industry Group, where she is responsible for enhancing sales effectiveness and streamlining operational processes through data-driven strategies and performance analytics. Throughout her career, Charlis has held senior leadership roles at companies such as Enzee and APEX Physics Partners, where she successfully led global sales and marketing teams, developed high-performing organizations, and implemented innovative, customer-centric strategies. In addition to her corporate expertise, Charlis is a dedicated advocate for the spinal cord injury (SCI) community. During her time as Head of Sales at Restorative Therapies, Charlis developed a deep, personal connection with SCI patients and medical professionals, which sparked her ongoing commitment to SCI awareness and advocacy. She is passionate about increasing access to resources and supporting initiatives that improve the lives of individuals with SCI. Charlis is also an Advisory Council Member for the University of Maryland's Marketing Analytics Master's Program, where she provides strategic insights into industry trends and academic development. A passionate champion for causes that align with her values, Charlis works to bridge the gap between business success and meaningful social impact, particularly in the areas of SCI advocacy and disability rights.

The Board of Directors is responsible for working with the executive director to set strategic direction for, and to govern, the organization. Our board is also a “working board”, so members are expected to take an active role in one or more areas of organizational activity. While we’re a national organization, we meet and work primarily via telephone and internet communications.