FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Robert Griffin
National Kidney Foundation
Phone: (415) 543-3303 X105
Email: robert.griffin@kidney.org
Website: www.kidneynca.org
   
SAN FRANCISCO, CA --- The nonprofit National Kidney Foundation of Northern California & Northern Nevada announced today the election of six new business and community members from San Francisco and the East Bay to its board of directors.

The Kidney Foundation also announced the appointment of Elizabeth M. Wrone, M.D., M.S. as chair of the San Francisco, North Bay and East Bay Medical Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is the medical arm of the Kidney Foundation and is responsible for shaping its services for medical professionals, patients, community and legislative leaders and the public. Dr. Wrone is a nephrologist (kidney disease specialist) with the Nephrology Medical Group in Walnut Creek, and is affiliated with the John Muir Medical Center and Sutter Delta Medical Center. Dr. Wrone is a graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and spent her internship and residency at Yale University. She completed her fellowship and earned a Master's of Science degree in epidemiology at Stanford University.

The six newly elected directors are:

Jan Farren, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Private Bank, Northern California Region
At Wells Fargo, Ms. Farren is responsible for strategy development and implementation. She provides business development and sales support for Wells Fargo's investment management and trust, private banking, wealth planning, insurance and brokerage in Northern California. Previously, Ms. Farren served as the national director of sales support for Wells Fargo's wealth management groups, and was the national communications manager for Wells Fargo's Year 2000 project.

Brian Handley, Business Development, Emerson Corporation: Liebert Power and Cooling Division
Mr. Handley's long career includes several sales management positions with Compaq, Bell Atlantic and The Fortel Group. Mr. Handley is the incoming president of the Silicon Valley Chapter of Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals, a professional organization for alliance and channel executives. Mr. Handley's interest in the National Kidney Foundation began when his 11 year old daughter lost the function of both her kidneys. He subsequently donated one of his kidneys to her in a successful transplantation.

Sandy Higgins, Partner, Accenture Health and Life Sciences Practice
Ms. Higgins has more than 25 years of experience in information technology and business consulting services, with 15 years experience in the healthcare industry. At Accenture, Ms. Higgins works closely with Bay Area and National healthcare organizations to implement transformational change initiatives that drive business value. Ms. Higgins serves as the primary point of contact for Accenture as a corporate sponsor of the National Kidney Foundation. She has worked with the Kidney Foundation for more than four years.

Nicole Kimber, Assistant Controller, Commercial Banking Finance, Bank of America
In her role at Bank of America, Ms. Kimber co-manages $1 billion annual revenue plan and $375 million annual expense plan for the West Coast Region of Commercial Banking. In addition, in partnership with the Commercial Executive Team, Ms. Kimber conducts strategic analysis and drives additional revenue through financial products including, credit, treasury, and investment banking.

Tina Phillips, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP
At Deloitte Consulting LLP, Ms. Phillips focuses on customer relationship management service area. With more than 15 years experience at Deloitte, Ms. Phillips has global experience having worked in Sydney and London. Prior to joining Deloitte, Ms. Phillips worked at Johnson & Johnson, McNeil Consumer Products Division.

Michael Smith, Senior Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis
Mr. Smith facilitates the alignment of full service operations for CB Richard Ellis in the Bay Area--one of the most important commercial real estate markets in the world--including Brokerage Services, Facilities Management, and Project Management. He is also responsible for the effective implementation of a Bay Area business development strategy, to recruit and retain the best talent in the industry, and insuring a financially sound and growing business. Since joining CBRE in 1999, Mr. Smith has managed each of the company's five Bay Area offices. He effectively integrated Insignia into the company in 2003, positioning CBRE as the number one property management agency and the top real estate services company in the Bay Area.

The nonprofit National Kidney Foundation seeks to prevent kidney and urologic diseases, improve the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. All NKF community programs are offered to the public free of charge and are made possible through the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of philanthropic individuals and organizations. Please visit our website for information on local programs and other upcoming events www.kidneynca.org.