Meet our dynamic leadership team!
Bonnie Schneider
Director & Co-Founder
In 2004, Bonnie’s son Eddie was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy. After finding a lack of information available and hearing that there was no ongoing research to find a cure, she quit her job in marketing and started the IgA Nephropathy Foundation with her husband, Ed. Bonnie works full time as …
Alena Riddick
Program/Events Manager
Alena is a care partner to an IgAN warrior. In 2019, her wife, Gisela, received a kidney after being diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy at an early age. Alena joined the Foundation alongside Gisela. She works closely with the founder and pharmaceutical companies as well as patients and care partners to …
Stuart Miller
Director of Strategic Planning & Government Affairs
Stuart and his wife live in Georgia. Stuart has IgA Nephropathy and had a living donor transplant from his wife Carole through the paired exchange program. Stuart leads the foundation’s strategic planning, ensuring we meet and exceed our goals for success.
stuart@igan.org
Gisela Delgado
Brand Creative Director
Gisela was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy at the age of 14. Ultimately, it led to her kidney failure at the age of 38, requiring a kidney transplant. Luckily, she was able to avoid dialysis and received a pre-emptive transplant from her brother. Today, she wears many hats with the Foundation, but …
Carlos Cristi
Coordinator of Legislative Advocacy
Carlos was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2015 when he was 30 years old. In 2016, after doing both peritoneal and in-center hemo dialysis, he received a living donor transplant from his younger brother.
Today, he lives with his wife and dog in Northern Virginia. Carlos works full time as a …
Ami Gopalan, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP
Co-Chair Ambassador Program
Ami was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) in 2020 after abnormal bloodwork during a routine physical. Her disease is currently in remission, and she remains in stage 3 of chronic kidney disease. Ami relies on her yoga and meditation practice to help her manage her life with IgAN. She has found …
Chris Scroggins
Co-Chair Ambassador Program
Chris Scroggins was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2014, and has been an IgAN Warrior ever since. He is deeply passionate about patient advocacy, mental health awareness, and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Chris works in the pharmaceutical industry, and spends his free-time with friends and …
Kate Kostelyk
Operations Manager
Kate was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in the summer of 2019 at the age of 20. After undergoing several different treatments, including steroids and chemotherapy, her disease is still uncontrolled. Sitting in Stage 3 she is still hopeful to find a treatment plan that will work for her. Kate is …
John Marsala
Assistant Executive Director Specializing in Clinical Trial Engagement
John Marsala was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2005. He lives in Westbury, NY with his wife Maureen, who donated a kidney to him in January of 2022. He became an area representative for the IgA Nephropathy Foundation in March 2014 and was asked to sit on the Executive Board in November that …