Marc Yale, Board Member, Patient Representative

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Marc Yale, IPPF Executive Director

Marc Yale was diagnosed in 2007 with Cicatricial Pemphigoid, a rare autoimmune blistering skin disease. Like others with a rare disease, he experienced delays in diagnosis and difficulty finding a knowledgeable physician. Eventually, Marc lost the vision in his left eye from the disease. This inspired him to help others with the disease. In 2008, he joined the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF) as a Peer Health Coach. He worked with people to improve their quality of life and encouraged them to become self-advocates. In 2009, he helped develop the Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Comprehensive Disease Profile giving experts insight into the patient perspective. In 2016, Marc became the Executive Director of the IPPF and continues to advocate for all of those affected by pemphigus and pemphigoid. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology Drug Transparency Task Force and sits on the Executive Board of Directors for The International Alliance for Dermatological Patient Organizations as their Treasurer.

Marc currently resides in Ventura, California with his wife and daughter.

James Caro, Chief Executive Officer, Ex Officio Board Member

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Jim’s career has focused on improving patient outcomes through collaboration among advocacy organizations and the pharmaceutical industry. His senior management roles at the American Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists gave Jim the opportunity to lead pharmacists’ professional development and educational programs, as well as create and support the organizations’ public policy initiatives.

Then as Executive Director of Global Professional Affairs at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Jim had broad responsibilities across the product portfolio, supporting launches in internal medicine, oncology, transplant medicine, and vaccines. Immediately before joining Connect4Strategies, James was Senior Director in Sanofi’s Public Affairs Team responsible for the company’s engagement with professional and patient organizations across the oncology portfolio. He is a graduate of University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and Loyola University (MBA).