News & Media
What's happening in the world- wide St. Baldricks community?
Click here to find out »Board of Directors
John Bender
Founder & Chairman of the Board
President & COO, Global Reinsurance
Allied World Reinsurance
New York, NY
John began his career at St. Paul Reinsurance and is now Chief Operating Officer for Allied World Reinsurance in Manhattan. A native of Long Island, New York, he is proud to call himself Irish-American. Along with his siblings, John spent many childhood summers on his uncle’s farm in County Roscommon, Ireland, where he learned the value of hard work and the art of a good story. An active member in his local communities for the last twenty years, John enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, playing golf or reading a good book.
John helped weave the St. Baldrick’s story together when he took up co-founder Tim Kenny’s challenge to give back. Drawing inspiration from Enda McDonnell’s mane of hair, it was John who paired the idea of shaving heads with helping children fighting cancer. Since then, he has distinguished himself as the “Iron Man” of St. Baldrick’s – being the only person in St. Baldrick’s history to have been shorn every year, including a second visit to clippers in 2003. An active recruiter for the cause, John is always scouting new events, sponsors and shavees. John is husband to Alanna Devine, and proud father of Shannon, Brady and Casey who are avid fans of Lucky the Leprechaun and look forward to their dad’s annual shaving.
Robert Arceci, MD, PhD
Professor of Oncology and Pediatrics
Co-Director of the Michael J. Garil Leukemia Survivor’s Program
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Md.
As Professor of Oncology and Pediatrics and Co-Director of the Michael J. Garil Leukemia Survivor’s Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., Dr. Arceci is passionate about helping kids with cancer. After attending medical school at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., he completed his residency at the Children’s Hospital Boston in Boston. Mass., and fulfilled his fellowship at the Children’s Hospital Boston and Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass.
Since then, Dr. Arceci has joined and headed several childhood cancer research initiatives, such as the Children's Cancer Group and the Children's Oncology Group Myeloid Disease Committees. He is particularly interested in translational research in pediatric malignancies and optimizing comprehensive care for children and adolescents with cancer. Dr. Arceci will serve as a member of the board and assist in leading the Foundation’s Scientific Advisors.
Joe Bartlett
News Director, WOR Radio
New York, N.Y.
Joe Bartlett serves as News Director of WOR and morning newscaster for the popular John Gambling Show. While delivering the news with authority and credibility, Joe also brings warmth and personality to the morning news. Among his many honors the award of “Best Newscaster in New York City. Joe is much more than a newsman; he is a versatile talent, who also hosts “The First Morning News” a half-hour news update to start the day at 5:00am. He also hosts the “Joe Bartlett Saturday Show” Saturdays from 6am to 9am, which has become an outlet for Joe’s creative side.
He has won numerous awards for his reporting. Among the awards: “Best Spot News Coverage” from the New York State Broadcasters Association for his coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks, the New York Press Club “Gold Typewriter” and Society of Professional Journalists “Deadline” award for public service. He has also won numerous “Best Newscast” awards from both the Associated Press and New York State Broadcasters.
Joe came to WOR in 1987, after working in both radio and TV in the Albany, New York market. After working just 6 months as a street reporter and anchor, Joe was promoted to Managing Editor and one year later was named News Director. Beyond his leadership of the respected WOR News Department, Joe is a past President of the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association, and a member of the Radio TV News Directors Association.
Amy Bucher
Advocate and Mother of Arden
Jamison, Penn.
Amy Bucher has been an active advocate for increased funding for childhood cancer research since her oldest daughter, Arden, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in 2007. In 2008, Arden passed away a few months before her fourth birthday. Keeping her memory alive, the Buchers honored Arden by agreeing to name her as one of the five St. Baldrick’s 2011 Ambassador Kids.
Prior to motherhood, Amy was a high school English teacher, earning her Master’s degree from the University of Delaware in 2000. Now a full-time stay-at-home mom to her other two children, Grayson and Zoey, Amy stays involved in the fight for more effective, less toxic treatments for kids with cancer.
As an original member of the St. Baldrick’s team, 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave, Amy also shaved her head for St. Baldrick’s in September of 2010, holding hands with other mothers from across the country who shaved in solidarity with all childhood cancer patients, survivors, and victims. She is moved by the passion and enthusiasm of St. Baldrick's staff and volunteers, and looks forward to doing everything she can to help the Foundation grow. Amy appreciates the unwavering support and dedication of her family and friends, especially her husband, Rick, who she thinks has a little too much hair and might need to reserve a chair at one of the Philadelphia events in March!
Charles M. Chamness
President & CEO, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
Indianapolis, Ind.
Charles (Chuck) M. Chamness is president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). NAMIC is a full-service property/casualty insurance trade association with 1,400 member companies in the U.S and Canada which represent 40% of the U.S. domestic p/c insurance market. Chuck joined NAMIC in 1995 as vice president, public affairs. He became president and CEO in 2003.
Prior to joining NAMIC, Chuck worked in Washington, D.C. in a variety of positions in financial services and housing policy. His background includes service in the first Bush Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at HUD under Secretary Jack Kemp, Director of Public Affairs for the Federal Housing Finance Board and as a press secretary on Capitol Hill.
Chuck serves on the board of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and as chairman of the board of NAMIC Insurance Company (NAMICO), a $45 million asset A-rated professional liability insurer. He is a member of the Association Committee of 100 of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Chuck holds a BA from Indiana University, Bloomington and lives in Indianapolis, Ind. with his wife Briget and their four children, Charlie (17), Sally (15), Robbie (12), and Joey (12), all of whom like Dad, have been St. Baldrick’s shavees. He became committed to the Foundation as a shavee and Volunteer Event Organizer (VEO) in 2005 when his son Joey was being treated for osteosarcoma. Chuck travels the country touting the virtues of mutual insurance companies and seasonal baldness.
Francis Feeney
Secretary
Managing Director, AVM, L.P.
Boca Raton, Fla.
Born and raised in County Roscommon, Ireland, Francis began his career in investment banking in London in 1989. By 1993, Wall Street beckoned and he emigrated to the United States. Joining AVM, L.P. in 1998, Francis continued to make his mark with the firm, of which he is currently the Principal. It was in New York that Francis was reunited with childhood friend, Enda McDonnell, and through Enda, Francis came to know St. Baldrick’s. As the father of two beautiful children, St. Baldrick’s instantly touched his heart and he became an enthusiastic supporter, facing the clippers for the first time in 2004 and shaving every year since then.
Francis joined the Board in 2005 and serves as Secretary and Chairman of the Finance & Investment Committee. As the owner of Sláinte Irish Pub in Boynton Beach, Florida, his pub plays dual roles as both business-endeavor and venue for his annual head-shaving event. His leisure time is often spent playing soccer on his Pub’s team, Sláinte Wanderers. And, along with his wife, Rosa, Francis also enjoys watching their son, Aidan, play on the Sláinte Juniors team or supporting their daughter, Ally, at her cheerleading competitions. As for St. Baldrick’s, it’s the children that inspire him more than anything. “They’re so much braver and courageous than we all tend to give them credit for.” His favorite St. Baldrick’s memory was when his 4-year-old son, Aidan, shaved his head.
Tim Kenny
Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Executive Chairman of Aran Insurance Services Group
New York, N.Y.
Tim grew up on a farm in Ballyheigue, County Kerry, where, even as a young child, he dreamed of a life off the farm and looked to the bright lights of New York City for the fulfillment of his dream. A graduate of the University of Limerick, he spent his early career in Shannon and London before moving to New York in 1987. Exemplifying the Irish-immigrant success story, Tim rose to the top of his field in the insurance industry. In 2000, Tim was named President and Chief Executive Officer of QBE the Americas, a leading firm in the insurance and reinsurance field, spanning seven countries throughout North and South America.
As one of the three founders of St. Baldrick’s, Tim issued the initial challenge, now heard ‘round the world, which has brought temporary baldness to thousands since 2000. Not limited to his involvement with the Foundation, Tim has become a leading member of the Irish-American community in his adopted country. Tim is husband to Lynn, herself a St. Baldrick’s volunteer, and proud father of shavees Timothy and Brian and daughter Laura.
Jeffrey M. Lipton, MD, PhD
Chair, St. Baldrick’s Foundation Scientific Advisors
Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine
New Hyde Park, NY
Dr. Jeffrey Lipton, a New York native, is the Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York and a Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Medicine at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO., Dr. Lipton served his residency at Children’s Hospital in Boston and a Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Fellowship at Children’s Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Along with being a board member for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Dr. Lipton also chairs the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee. This committee reviews grant, fellowship and scholar applications and gives recommendations to the board of directors which should receive funding. Dr. Lipton also mentored Dr. Sharon Singh, the first of 25 St. Baldrick’s Fellows. He is currently the President of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
An avid marathon runner, Dr. Lipton not only ran for St. Baldrick’s in the Philadelphia Marathon in 2007, but shaved his head at the end of the run. He expects to repeat the experience in the near future.
Enda McDonnell
Founder
President & CEO
Access Reinsurance
Hamilton, Bermuda
A native of Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, and a graduate of University College Dublin, Enda McDonnell was the Co-Founder of Access Reinsurance, Inc. in Westfield, New Jersey and is currently President & CEO of Access Reinsurance Ltd., in Hamilton, Bermuda. Enda’s career has spanned 17 years in the reinsurance industry, brokering deals that enable insurance and reinsurance companies to share risk and protect clients in times of catastrophe.
As one of the three founders of St. Baldrick’s, Enda grew the mane of hair which inspired the first head-shaving event in 2000. A kid at heart, Enda’s leisure time is devoted to golf, practical jokes and helping children with cancer. In July 2007, Enda married his soul mate, Tiffany Wise, who looks forward to seeing Enda’s bald head again and again. Despite his ready supply of laughs, Enda is serious about finding a cure for kids’ cancer and his favorite mantra, “If it’s fun, they will come,” is shared with St. Baldrick’s supporters throughout the world.
John McKenna
Fire Chief
Northport Fire Department
Northport, N.Y.
John studied at State University of New York – Farmingdale and Stony Brook University, before beginning a 20 year career in the fire service. As Fire Marshal for the Northport Fire Department in Northport, NY, John, a strong believer that a leader in the fire service is only as good as those he leads, sees his brothers and sisters in the fire service as his second family. When the opportunity to join the Board for St. Baldrick’s arose, John felt strongly about representing the fire community – ensuring they had voice on the board – and accepted the role.
Now heading the Board’s Committee for Fire & Police Recruitment and Retention, 2009 marks John’s ninth year as a shavee, though he’s actually shaved his head ten times – twice in 2007. John is known for organizing many events in a single year – having once coordinated seven in the same year! When not working on St. Baldrick’s John enjoys skiing, snowmobiling or boating and is the proud uncle to 13 nieces and nephews.
Kathleen Ruddy
Executive Director
St. Baldrick's Foundation
Monrovia, Calif.
With more than 20 years of professional non-profit fundraising, marketing and public relations experience, Kathleen began working on the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in early 2001. The daughter of two cancer survivors, Kathleen believes in paying it forward, and enjoys managing and serving as a board member for the Foundation. She answered the call to “be brave, get bald” herself, as a shavee in 2005 – the year the St. Baldrick's Foundation held its first events as an independent charity.
Kathleen chose a life of service at the age of 14. On her first day as a hospital volunteer, she tried to comfort a four year old patient who was inconsolable and crying for his mother. She remembers wondering how the nurses could care for all their young patients so lovingly without getting choked up themselves. That night Kathleen told her mother she didn’t have it in her to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician or obstetrician, but she would find another way to help. At the time, she couldn’t have imagined St. Baldrick’s, but believes God has the best plans for us all.
Board Member Emeritus
Tom Leonhardt
Senior Vice President, Towers Perrin
Chicago, Ill.
A Senior Vice President with Towers Perrin Reinsurance in the Chicago office, Tom began his career in 1974 with Guy Carpenter & Co. in New York. For the ten years prior to joining Towers Perrin he was a Senior Vice President for reinsurance at AON Re, Inc.
In May of 1996, he joined Towers Perrin Reinsurance and opened their Chicago branch office where he is today. Tom has served on a number of insurance and reinsurance panels and committees, including the National Association of Reinsurance Brokers Board, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Workers’ Compensation, and Guest Speaker for CPCU, NAPSLO and AAMGA. Tom is a frequent contributor to insurance publications, including Best’s Review and National Underwriter.
Tom originally planned to shave his head at the 2002 St. Baldrick’s event at Jim Brady's in NY. However, a good friend of his, John Bender, had other plans for his involvement and recruited Tom to help start the first St. Baldrick’s event in Chicago. With the help of a few friends and colleagues, his first event generated over $70,000. Since then, Tom has been shorn eight times in seven event seasons and that 'little' Chicago event went on to inspire legions of Chicago area participants to join the cause! In 2008 alone, over 100 events took place in the state of Illinois.
Tom and his wife, Donna, have two sons – Brett, an architect in San Francisco, and Payton, who is currently in pre-med at the University of Chicago and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric oncology - having already mastered the art of shaving!
Social Networking
