Girl Power 2 Cure Appoints Two New Board Members for 2017

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. - Dec. 20, 2016 - PRLog -- Girl Power 2 Cure, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of girls diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to our Board of Directors in 2017: Joy Li and Amy Gilliland. They will support our efforts in raising awareness for GP2C's programs, events, and fundraising efforts which focus on family support, education and research.

Joy has been active with Girl Power 2 Cure for the past five years. Her granddaughter, Caroline, has Rett Syndrome. She is a former elementary school teacher and has dedicated her career to helping students and educators to making a difference in learning.

Before Caroline's diagnosis and her retirement, Joy spent 18 years as a marketing executive in the educational technology field with companies such as Apple, McGraw-Hill Education, Pearson and CNN.  She now has dedicated her time and work towards making a difference for our Rett children and families.

Joy shares, "After several years working with GP2C from the outside, I decided I wanted to do more. I am excited about being involved with the board and working to enrich all of the GP2C programs for our families. I am especially looking forward to working with the Rett U team to grow this outstanding program in order to make greater impact for our girls and their families around the world."

Amy Gilliland, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration at General Dynamics, is new to the Rett Syndrome community. Her daughter, Ashley, was recently diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2015. Amy will bring a diverse background of experience as well as an important perspective as a newly diagnosed family.

Prior to joining General Dynamics in 2005, she served in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare and Public Affairs Officer. Her Navy assignments included service aboard USS LABOON (DDG 58), with the Navy's Legislative Liaison Office to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Office of the Secretary of the Navy and the Navy Office of Information.

Amy earned a bachelor's degree with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master's degree from Cambridge University, England, and a master's degree in business administration from Georgetown University.

"I am excited to become part of an organization so committed to raising awareness and funding to help propel us even closer to finding a cure for Rett Syndrome," says Amy. "As important, Girl Power 2 Cure's emphasis on empowering families and helping them to dream big inspires me and so many others who have benefited from their efforts."

Joy and Amy join the following GP2C board members: Pam Maxwell (Board Chair), Ingrid Harding (Founder), Roger Brooks, Prem Manjooran (Treasurer), Jenn Miller (Secretary), Monique Nolk, Jennifer Shober. Additionally, we would like to thank outgoing board members Anton Gates, Walter Trester and Claire Oliver for their board service over the last several years. Their dedication and commitment to GP2C has enabled us to grow our scope and impact for girls and families around the globe.

About Girl Power 2 Cure:

Girl Power 2 Cure, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to family support, education and awareness as well as funding research for treatments and a cure for Rett Syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder that almost exclusively affects girls.

We are committed to making Rett Syndrome the first reversible neurological disorder. We support families and volunteers in the planning and implementation of events that raise awareness and funds for Rett Syndrome research, as well as support Rett families with resources, education and awareness tools.

Our inspiration is our flower:  always in bloom with hope and positive energy, ready to grow anywhere there is someone ready to join in our mission. For more information, visit us at http://www.girlpower2cure.org.

About Rett Syndrome:

Rett Syndrome is a severe neurological disorder that almost exclusively affects females. Every 90 minutes another little girl is born "normal," only to be robbed of her ability to speak, walk, crawl, and use her hands between the ages of 1 and 3. Complications include seizures, sudden death in their sleep and scoliosis.

Rett Syndrome is caused by a single spontaneous gene mutation that any baby girl has an equal chance of acquiring.  It is considered the most physically disabling of the autism spectrum disorders and is as prevalent as Cystic Fibrosis, ALS and Huntington's Disease. There is no treatment, but in 2007 researchers proved in the lab that Rett Syndrome can be reversed, giving it the potential to be the first curable neurological disorder and playing a key role in understanding other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Schizophrenia and Parkinson's.