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 Leadership Council

The First Candle Leadership Council is comprised of prominent individuals who are committed to enhancing awareness and advocacy for infant health and survival. They are best described as “Ambassadors for the Cause” and will assist the Board of Directors in the carrying out our mission, as well as raising issues of SIDS, stillbirth and other infant death to more appropriate levels of public concern.  View or download a printer friendly list of our current Leadership Council (PDF 104 kb)

Dusty Baker
Former Manager, Chicago Cubs,
ESPN Television Network Commentator

Colleen Barrett
President & COO, Southwest Airlines Co.

Michael Berman
M.D. Professor Yale University School of Medicine;
Founder- Hygeia Foundation

Karen Branding
Associate Dean/ Director Marketing and Communication,
Olin School Washington University

Kendra E. Davenport
Director Development, Project HOPE

Dr. Steven Gamble
President, University of Eastern New Mexico

Tom Harris
Senior Vice President Operations,
Hillwood Development Company, LLP

Bengt Lager
President, Regal-Lager, Inc.

Luanne Whiting-Lager
Co-Founder, Regal-Lager, Inc.

Rodney J. MacAlister
President, African Development Foundation (USADF)

Judith Nolte
Editor-in-Chief, American Baby

Kristen Petersen
Co-Founder Kiddopotamus

Steve Poole
Board Member, The Gerber Foundation

Donna Arkoff Roth
Producer, Roth/Arnold Productions

Robert Schiff
President, photowow.com

Cathryn L. Schmid
Co-Founder, HALO Innovations, Inc.

William R. Schmid
Chairman, EVP of Operations/R & D and
Founder HALO Innovations, Inc.

Steven Scully,
Political Editor, C-SPAN Networks

Chris Snedeker,
Co-Founder Kiddopotamus

Mark Titus,
Co-Founder, Families Against SIDS Tragedies (FAST)

Mark E. Watson, Jr.
Owner, Watson Management and the Diamond K Ranch

Carol E. Weisman
President, Board Builders

Esmeralda Williamson-Noble
Founder & CEO, Considering Alexander SIDS Foundation, Inc.

Tyrone Willingham
Head Coach, University of Washington Football Team