Meet Your LUNG FORCE Walk Leadership Committee

Shavon Anderson has been a Residential Property Manager for Time Equities, Inc. for the past 18 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Shavon is a Brooklyn girl to the heart where she was born and raised and currently lives with her two cats, Autumn, and Spice. Shavon loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. She also is truly excited to continue on her journey as a member of the Metro NY Leadership Board.

Janine joined LUNG FORCE as captain of Team Walking for Camille in 2015 after losing her mother to Lung Cancer in Feb 2015. Janine currently works as a finance and accounting consultant for companies requiring interim CFOs and Controllers. She graduated from Hofstra University with a BBA in Accounting. Janine is passionate about giving back to her community and most recently agreed to take the role as Event Chair for the 10-year anniversary of LUNG FORCE. In the past she has sat on the board for the Long Island division of the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) and the Massapequa Soccer Club. She enjoys sports, reading, traveling, theatre, art, and volunteering.

Joanne is passionate about lung health and is committed to making a change which has driven her to be a part of this important work. Joanne is the Global Systems Solutions Director for IPG Health and has worked for the company for almost 20 years. She has a BA from Michigan State University and holds several certifications in group cycling. She has sat on committees at the American Cancer Society and started a non-profit charity event in honor of a close friend. Joanne is excited to be a part of this team.

Anirudh Kumeria is a distinguished marketing and sales professional with a remarkable 18-year tenure in the global pharmaceutical industry, focusing primarily on respiratory health. As the Senior Director of Marketing & New Product Launch Management at Cipla USA, Anirudh has been instrumental in bringing groundbreaking respiratory treatments to market, including the much-acclaimed Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol Generic in the US.

His journey in the pharmaceutical sector began with Intas Pharmaceuticals and swiftly progressed through various leading companies like Ranbaxy, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and currently, Cipla USA Inc. His roles have consistently centered around respiratory portfolio management globally, new product launches, and driving innovation in marketing strategies.

Educationally fortified with a bachelor’s in pharmacy and MBA, Anirudh's expertise is backed by solid academic credentials. His approach combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for enhancing patient care, particularly in respiratory health.

A recipient of numerous accolades, Anirudh's contributions have been recognized for their significant impact on healthcare.

Celebrated for his global perspective, Anirudh continues to be a vital force in shaping the future of respiratory health care and pharmaceutical marketing.

Jon is founder and president of Impact Communications, the presentation and media training practice serving senior executives and sales professionals since 1980. Before forming Impact Communications, he was an award-winning television news journalist at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, WABC-TV in New York and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He’s been recognized by his fellow journalists with an Emmy nomination, the New York Press Club Feature Award and the International Television Festival of New York Gold Medal.

Jon became a volunteer leader of the American Lung Association at the national, regional and local levels following his father’s death from emphysema in 1980. He served as Board Chair at the American Lung Association of Hudson Valley, NY and the American Lung Association of the Northeast. He received the Volunteer Excellence Award from the nationwide organization and is serving his fifth term as a member of the National Board of Directors, where his primary focus continues to be on fundraising, marketing, media.

Nina Sclafani, a seasoned Social Impact Marketer based in New York, channels her profound personal experience into meaningful advocacy as a member of the 2024 Leadership Committee for the New York City LUNG FORCE Walk. After the sudden loss of her mother, Karen Cowley, to interstitial lung disease in March of 2022, Nina found solace and purpose in supporting the American Lung Association and the LUNG FORCE Walk. Alongside her sister, Kristen Cowley, Nina co-leads and passionately advocates for Team Karen's Kindness, a remarkable team made up of Karen's friends and family that has raised $25,000 for the LUNG FORCE Walk NYC in just two years. Nina's commitment to advocacy work includes a decade-long career in marketing, specializing in education equity and social impact initiatives. Holding a Bachelor's degree in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from SUNY Stony Brook, Nina's holistic approach is further evidenced by her certifications in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Kids Yoga Teaching. Her background, creativity, and dedication to positive change have primed her for her role in this year's 2024 LUNG FORCE Walk Leadership Committee. Nina lives in Smithtown, New York, with her two beautiful children, Gwen (age 5) and Jack (age 1), and her loving husband, Andrew.

This is Ru’s first year on the LUNG FORCE Walk NYC Committee and second year walking as the Co-Captain alongside Dr. Nicholas Rohs, medal honoree of the 2023 LUNG FORCE Walk NYC. Ru earned her Bachelors of English from Columbia University in 2019 and started her career at Mount Sinai Hospital after expressing deep interest in thoracic oncology. Since then, she has coordinated the Mount Sinai Downtown Thoracic Tumor Board and helped its expansion to the Thoracic Tumor and Pulmonary Nodule Conference. She has also helped coordinate the New York Lung Cancer Foundation meetings since 2021. In her life outside of work Ru is someone who loves to spend time with her family and volunteer. She also enjoys baking cookies, reading, and taking walks in the city.

Emily Yehezkel is the Experientia Education Director at Creating Connected Communities. She recently relocated to Atlanta but is back and forth between New York and Atlanta. She holds a Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies and Experiential Israel and Jewish Education from The George Washington University and bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting from Kent State University. Outside of work, Emily loves to travel, take photos, learn new languages, and be outside. Since Emily and her sister, Nicole, lost their mother, Jaynee, to lung cancer in January 2020, they have been dedicated to defeating lung cancer and hopeful to one day live in a world free of lung disease. Emily has been the co-captain of her team Jaynee's Angels since July 2020.

Nicole Yehezkel is passionate about the LUNG FORCE Walk due to the loss of her mother to lung cancer in January 2020. She has been the co-captain of team Jaynee’s Angels, with her sister, Emily, since July 2020. Nicole is a speech-language pathologist, specializing in AAC and feeding and swallowing disorders. She holds a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from New York University and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.