DENVER/August 12, 2015 – Morris Animal Foundation welcomed four new members to its board of trustees during the organization’s annual meeting in June. The new members bring to the board a rich skill set in finance and investment, marketing, and organizational experience, all combined with a passion for animals. Morris Animal Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit organizations worldwide that funds scientific studies to advance the health and well-being of all animals.
“Each of our new board members brings a unique skill set that will advance the mission of Morris Animal Foundation,” said David Haworth, DVM, PHD, president/CEO of Morris Animal Foundation. “As a foundation, we are incredibly fortunate to have such high-quality, dedicated individuals who wish to donate their time and expertise to make the lives of animals healthier and happier.”
New Morris Animal Foundation board of trustee members for 2015/2016 are:
- Amy Eagle Thompson served as managing director of Deep Focus and had oversight for client services, strategy, media productions, public relations and social communications. Thompson began her career with a number of West Coast ad agencies including Wieden+Kennedy, McCann Erickson and also DDB Communications Group. She eventually relocated to New York where she managed communications and client services at Carat and then at Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners. Before Deep Focus, she was general manager at The Hyperfactory, a marketing firm.
- Wendy Knudsen has responsibility for oversight of the legal functions of Cequel III’s managed businesses including as executive vice president and secretary of Suddenlink, the nation’s seventh largest cable company; and executive vice president and general counsel of TierPoint, a nationwide provider of cloud, computing services and IT solutions. She previously served as senior vice president and general counsel of AAT Communications and as associate counsel at the National Football League.
- Richard Lichter is a founding partner at Newbury Partners, and responsible for managing its investment activity. Prior to Newbury, he served as managing director at Auda Private Equity LLC, managing director at Lexington Partners, and managing director at Landmark Partners. He was previously vice president of investment banking at Merrill Lynch Capital Markets.
- Richard “Dick” Swanson was a senior manager with Andersen Consulting, and the first CFO of Denver’s Regional Transportation District. He was then the founder and president of Investment Partners, Inc., a commercial real estate investment and development company from 1980 to 1991. He served as an adviser for Vistage International, coaching CEOs of public and private companies through 2014.
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for companion animals, horses and wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has invested more than $100 million toward 2,400 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments, preventions and cures to benefit animals worldwide. Learn more at www.morrisanimalfoundation.org.
