Mission: To save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.

ABOUT

Board of Directors

A passionate group of people brought together by a single cause.

Gary Stein headshot

Gary Stein

President

Joe Lastinger

Treasurer

Jessica Richman headshot

Jessica Richman

Secretary

Shelle Allen headshot

Shelle Allen

Board Member

Alissa Kanowitz

Board Member

Amber McCarthy

Board Member

Jennifer Pool Miller

Board Member

Doris Stein

Board Member

Angie Wehrkamp

Board Member

Board of Directors Emeritus

These honorable individuals helped form this organization and served on the Board of Directors for many years. Their passion and dedication over the years helped save countless lives.

Glenn Moise

Julie Moise

Richard Kanowitz

Jennifer Lastinger

In Memoriam

Former Executive Director Laura Scott

"On March 3, 2015, Families Fighting Flu lost our long-time Executive Director and co-founder, Laura Scott. There are no words to express our sorrow. The Families Fighting Flu Board of Directors can never thank Laura enough for all she did – she was truly the heart and soul of the organization for ten years of our existence. Laura helped launch Families Fighting Flu and it was her tireless hard work, dedication and brilliance that enabled our tremendous success. She spent countless hours educating the public and saving thousands of lives. Even though she did not personally lose a child to influenza, her love and support helped each of our families and even through our darkest days she helped us channel our grief into a meaningful legacy that honored our children and made a difference. Laura truly was a hero who made the world a better place. She was an incredible wife, mother, and friend to us all. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.” - Families Fighting Flu Board of Directors

Page last reviewed: July 2021. 

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LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT

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Shelle Allen
President
Families Fighting Flu

Shelle Allen is the current President for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Shelle originally came to Families Fighting Flu in 2013 following her daughter’s near-death experience with flu and flu-related complications. Shelle has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2017. Shelle currently works as the Accounts Receivable Manager at Illinois Road Contractors in Jacksonville, Illinois and is very involved in her community and several service clubs. She received her B.A. in Education from MacMurray College. Shelle is devoted to advocating and educating about the importance of vaccination.

Jennifer Pool Miller
Treasurer
Families Fighting Flu

Jennifer Pool Miller is the current Treasurer for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against flu through education and advocacy. Jennifer joined Families Fighting Flu in 2013 after her daughter Caroline’s frightening battle with the flu. Caroline, who was only five years old at the time, spent three weeks hospitalized due to complications from the flu. A strong advocate for annual flu vaccination, Jennifer continues to reinforce its importance through her work with Families Fighting Flu. Her family also established the Caroline Miller Endowed Fund for Nursing Education and "Katie and Caroline P.I.C. YOU!" Award at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to support continuing education for nurses, a type of healthcare provider that played an integral role in Caroline’s care and recovery.

Angie Wehrkamp
Secretary
Families Fighting Flu

Angie Wehrkamp is the current Secretary for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Angie originally came to Families Fighting Flu as an advocate after her 2 ½-year-old daughter, Gianna, passed away in January 2015 from influenza. Angie has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2018. Angie is also an active member of the Sioux Falls Area Immunization Coalition. She advocates for flu awareness in many ways, including interviews with local and national media outlets and donating infant hats with Gianna’s story across the United States. In addition to advocacy, Angie has motivated her friends and family to plant trees across the nation in Gianna’s memory. Angie is currently employed at Home Depot as an Office Associate.

Alissa Kanowitz
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Alissa Kanowitz is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Alissa helped found the organization following the death of her daughter, Amanda Kanowitz, in 2004. She has a background in marketing and advertising and currently works as a realtor for Glasser Lipton Group.

Joe Lastinger
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Joe Lastinger is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against influenza through education and advocacy. Joe helped found the organization following the loss of his 3-year-old daughter, Emily, to the flu in 2004. Joe has served on the Board since 2004. Joe has more than 20 years of senior executive leadership experience in healthcare and currently serves as President and CEO of the Health Plan Alliance, a member owned and led joint venture comprised of 48 regional health plans.

Amber McCarthy
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Amber McCarthy is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Amber originally came to Families Fighting Flu in 2015 following the passing of her 3-year-old daughter, Ayzlee. Amber has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2019. She is a respiratory therapist and health coach who lives in Iowa with her husband Jim and children, Easton and Irelynd. Amber is also a member of her Church’s Parish Education committee and is active in school activities to help support her children. Amber and her family sponsor flu clinics in their surrounding communities to honor Ayzlee and to help those that cannot afford flu vaccination to receive one at no cost. They also work with the local public health offices and school districts, along with supportive businesses in the area, to help promote flu vaccination to people of all ages.

Jessica Richman
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Jessica Richman is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against influenza through education and advocacy. Jessica originally came to Families Fighting Flu following the loss of her 3- year-old daughter, Cayden, to the flu in 2014. Jessica wants everyone to realize how devastating the flu can be, even for healthy individuals, and how quickly it can take the life of a loved one. Jessica is the Office Manager for Southern Structural Steel in Newport News, Virginia.

Doris Stein
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Doris Stein is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Doris helped found the organization following the death of her daughter, Jessica Stein, in 2002. Doris has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2004. Doris currently works as a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

doris stein

Gary Stein
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Gary Stein is a Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Gary's daughter, Jessica, died from influenza in 2002. In 2004, he helped create Families Fighting Flu with his wife and others that lost their children to flu. Gary has served on FFF's Board since its inception. Professionally, Gary's career has focused in banking and consumer financial services. He most recently served as the Chief Product & Compliance Officer for point of sale lender, Opy USA Inc.

Richard Kanowitz
Board Member Emeritus
Families Fighting Flu

Richard Kanowitz is a past Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Richard helped found the organization following the death of his daughter, Amanda Kanowitz, in 2004. Richard served on the Board of Directors for the organization from 2004 to 2020 and served as its President from 2005 to 2018. Richard is a lawyer practicing in New York City.