EP 34: Ray Wezik - Director of Public Policy and Advocacy - International Myeloma Foundation

02/26/20 • 34 min

In episode 34 of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten chats with Ray Wezik, the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the International Myeloma Foundation(IMF).

Ray joined the IMF advocacy team in 2014. In his role, Ray helps to expand the IMF’s state policy initiatives and grassroots network with a focus on prevention, innovation, access, and approval of treatments for people living with multiple myeloma.

Prior to joining the IMF, Ray advocated for homeowners affected by the mortgage crisis, using his skills to negotiate alternatives to foreclosure and eventually establishing his own firm.

Ray earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Roanoke College in 2007. He passed the bar in Maryland after earning his law degree from Tulane University in 2011. While at Tulane, Ray ran the Alternative Dispute Resolution section for the school’s student-run moot court team, winning several international competition awards in Chicago and London.

Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest organization focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The IMF’s reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure through our four founding principles: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy.

In episode 34 of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten chats with Ray Wezik, the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the International Myeloma Foundation(IMF).

Prior to joining the IMF, Ray advocated for homeowners affected by the mortgage crisis, using his skills to negotiate alternatives to foreclosure and eventually establishing his own firm.

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EP 33: Jeff Rum - Co-founder of Yearly

In episode 33 of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten chats with Jeff Rum, the co-founder of Yearly.

Jeff is Co-Founder of Yearly and is Founder & CEO of ignite: action An award-winning creative director and marketing strategist, Jeff has nearly 18 years of experience in marketing and communications, brand strategy, social media, and digital advertising. Jeff’s consulting work includes projects with Fortune 500 companies such as Bose, Fossil, Mercedes-Benz, and PepsiCo and he has led campaigns with nonprofits including Human Rights Campaign, Save the Children, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and United Nations Foundation. In 2018, Jeff published his first book, Post with Purpose: A Digital Strategy Handbook. Jeff received his BA from American University in Communication: Visual Media and Jewish Studies. He received his MA from Georgetown University in International Studies. He resides in Potomac, MD with his wife Jessica and three children, Eva, Maxim, and Ori.

Yearly makes it fun and easy to create digital annual reports that inspire and delight, saving organizations time and money. Yearly's mission is to change the way annual reports are created and experienced. Yearly aims to break the mold and disrupt the age-old annual report.

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EP 35: Tamra Ryan - CEO of Women's Bean Project and Interim CEO for the Social Enterprise Alliance

In episode 35 of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten chats with Tamra Ryan, CEO of Women's Bean Project and Interim CEO for the Social Enterprise Alliance.

Tamra Ryan Tamra Ryan is the CEO of Women's Bean Project, a social enterprise that provides transitional employment, while operating a food manufacturing business, to women attempting to break the cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty. Tamra is a former partner and board member for Social Venture Partners-Denver, currently chairs the Board of Directors for the Social Enterprise Alliance and is on the advisory board for the Barton Institute for Philanthropy and Social Enterprise at the University of Denver.

Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) recognized Tamra’s servant leadership and entered it into the Congressional Record of the 115th Congress, Second Session in May 2018. She was honored by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado and is part of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Leadership Network.

She was a presenter at TEDxMilehigh and is a highly sought-after speaker for topics such as compassionate leadership and social enterprise. Tamra is the author of The Third Law, a book which highlights the societal obstacles and internal demons that must be overcome for marginalized women to change their lives. The Third Law has won numerous awards for women/minorities in business and social activism. She is currently working on her second book, Followship: How to be a leader worth following.