December 4, 2025 – Lymphoma Coalition (LC), a global network dedicated to improving outcomes for people living with lymphoma, is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Clara Chamba (Tanzania), Pete DeNardis (USA) and Meghan Gutierrez (USA).
These leaders join the Board at a pivotal time, bringing essential expertise in policy, diagnostics, research, and patient empowerment that directly supports LC’s five key strategic priorities to deliver usable evidence, influence global policy, and ensure equitable care worldwide.
Dr. Clara Chamba, MD., MMed is a haematologist, faculty member, and Head of Haematology at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania. With over 15 years of experience, her career focuses on advancing equitable access to quality diagnostics and care for people with blood cancers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
She is a Founding Member of the Blood Cancer Foundation of Tanzania (BCFT), volunteering her expertise to shape treatment guidelines, advise on advocacy strategies, and develop patient resources.
Dr. Chamba’s work directly supports the core priorities at LC around delivering usable evidence and information that leads to action as well as helping to ensure impact globally, regionally and locally. Her expertise in LMIC healthcare systems and her research into blood cancer genomics are critical for generating evidence that fills geographical gaps and ensuring all patients, regardless of location, have access to credible information and quality diagnostics.
Pete DeNardis serves as Chair Emeritus for the International Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF) and is based in the USA. Diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) in 2003, Pete has volunteered for 20 years, focusing on growing the worldwide membership. He has been instrumental in developing and implementing website and social media tools, directing global marketing and communications for the IWMF, and planning annual Educational Conferences for patients and caregivers. Furthermore, he assists in the development of patient databases, including serving as a collaborator in the global, patient-led WhiMSICAL Registry developed with lymphoma clinician-researchers.
Pete’s experience directly champions a key strategic priority for LC, developing exemplary patient opinion leaders and empowering patient organisations to fulfil their missions. His proven ability to build global patient communities, leverage digital tools for communication, and contribute to patient-led research registries makes him an invaluable resource for strengthening LC’s member organizations and increasing patient data collection.
Meghan Gutierrez is the Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, a role she has held since 2014, leading its strategic direction and operations. A lymphoma patient advocate since 2008, she previously served as the Foundation’s Chief Program, Policy and Communications Officer.
Under her leadership, Lymphoma Research Foundation has significantly increased its organizational revenue and research investment, launched awareness efforts for underserved patient populations, and established several global scientific initiatives.
Meghan is extremely well positioned to advance the strategic priorities across LC around influencing policy to improve optimal care along with helping to connect diverse stakeholders to collaboratively advance care. Her deep experience in U.S. policy development and her focus on health equity and global scientific initiatives will be invaluable in advocating for faster, more equitable access to treatments globally.
“Lymphoma Coalition is delighted to welcome Clara, Pete and Meghan to the Board of Directors,” said Susan Thornton, Chair of the Board, Lymphoma Coalition. “Their powerful combination of expertise, from advanced research and policy advocacy to grassroots patient empowerment and financial management, is exactly the Board leadership Lymphoma Coalition needs to achieve our bold 2025-2030 strategy. Their collective impact will accelerate our mission to improve patient outcomes and ensure no one faces lymphoma alone.”
The newly appointed directors added in a joint statement, “We are honoured to join Lymphoma Coalition’s Board and look forward to contributing to its ambitious strategic plan, ensuring that patient voices drive global decisions in care, policy, and research.”
About Lymphoma Coalition
Lymphoma Coalition is a global network of over 90 member organizations in more than 55 countries, focused on providing evidence-based information and support to improve the treatment and outcomes for people affected by lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
Contact:
Kathryn Perry
Head, Communications & Information
Lymphoma Coalition