Global Genes | Rare Project Names Andrea Epstein As New Executive Director

Barbara Lavery Appointed Foundation's First Chairman of the Board of Directors

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Global Genes | Rare Project Board of Directors and staff are pleased to announce Andrea Epstein as its new Executive Director.  Epstein, formerly Regional Vice President for the Southern California Region of the American Cancer Society, joins Global Genes | RARE Project after more than 25 years in the healthcare sector.  Epstein has served in numerous executive marketing and business development positions, most recently leading a five county region at the American Cancer Society that generated more than $15 million in annual revenue.

"On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the Global Genes | Rare Project, I am delighted to welcome Andrea as our new executive director," said Nicole Boice, President and Founder, Global Genes | Rare Project. "Her wealth of healthcare experience, organizational and fundraising excellence and demonstrated leadership in serving patients in need will help our Foundation move forward in its mission to unify the international rare and genetic disease community."

As Executive Director, Epstein will oversee daily operations, program development and income growth strategies while collaborating closely with the team to ensure the long-term success of the organization.

"I am honored to be selected to serve as the Executive Director for Global Genes | RARE Project as the organization positions itself for growth," said Epstein.  "The opportunity to be a part of the passion, energy and momentum of this organization is the reason I made the move to Global Genes | RARE Project.  I look forward to working to expand our role and impact as a collective voice of the rare and genetic disease community on a regional, national and global scale."

In addition to appointing Epstein as Executive Director, Global Genes | RARE Project named Barbara Lavery, President of Zoomedia, as its first Chairman of the Board. Lavery, a leading communications strategist for the life sciences industry, will manage the board of directors and work with Epstein and Boice to build and implement the organization's 2014 strategic plan.

The board of directors includes Global Genes | Rare Project President and Founder, Nicole Boice, John F. Crowley, CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, Natalie Douglas, Biotech Executive, Caroline Loewy of Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Hugh Hempel, Founder of Solution Therapeutics, Jesse Dylan, Founder of Wondros, Peter J. Pellizzon of Hollencrest Capital and Norman Schmeltzer of O'Connor, Schmeltzer & O'Connor.

"I am delighted to be elected as Chairman of the Global Genes | RARE Project," said Lavery.  "I look forward to working with the entire team to expand the organization's efforts to help patients and families meet the challenges of living with rare and genetic diseases."

For more information about Global Genes | RARE Project, please visit the following links:

Web: http://globalgenes.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globalgenesproject
Twitter: @GlobalGenes - https://twitter.com/GlobalGenes

About Global Genes | RARE Project

Global Genes | RARE Project is a leading rare and genetic disease patient advocacy organization. The Foundation's mission is to unify the international rare and genetic disease community by providing connections and resources to ease the burdens of affected patients and their families.  Recognized worldwide by the Blue Denim Genes Ribbon™, Global Genes | RARE Project unites experts, advocates and patients of all ages to stand together in hope for treatments and cures for the estimated 7,000 rare and genetic diseases that impact approximately 30 million Americans and over 250 million people worldwide. For more information, visit http://globalgenes.org/.

SOURCE Global Genes Project