Board of Directors

Currently, the following founding members lead the Alport Syndrome Foundation. We have been working together since August 2006 to launch our organization and look forward to building the Foundation into a thriving not-for-profit that gives a voice to all those affected by Alport Syndrome and champions fundraising and research to find a cure.

President Sharon Lagas
Email: slagas@alportsyndrome.org

Sharon has a B.S. degree in Geological Sciences from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and completed graduate studies at the University of California, Long Beach. She worked in environmental consulting for over 15 years, in California and Arizona. Sharon also has 10 years of experience as a volunteer leader serving on a non-profit board in various officer positions. She lives in Phoenix with her husband and has three children. Two of her children and her two nieces have Alport Syndrome and her brother battled the effects of this disease for 38 years. Sharon looks forward to the day that all of our children will not have to worry about the effects of this disease and she is committed to accomplishing this through the Foundation.

Vice President Vint DeGraw
Email: vdegraw@alportsyndrome.org

Vint has over 10 years experience as a volunteer leader, and is known for his dedication and organizational skills. He holds a B.S. degree in Social Science from Southern Utah University and currently manages the Tooele Employment Center for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Vint has Alport Syndrome and has had two kidney transplants, separated by 20 months of dialysis. He is married and lives in Tooele, Utah with his four children. His daughter has Alport Syndrome as well. Vint has been instrumental in bridging our current efforts with the past history of the Hereditary Nephritis Foundation, the Delphi Forum for Alport Syndrome, and research efforts at the University of Utah.

Treasurer Stanley Silver
Email: ssilver@alportsyndrome.org

Stan is the retired president of a multi-million dollar apparel company with over 40 years of worldwide business experience. He provides the Foundation with exceptional leadership, vision, professionalism, and organizational skills. He attended Alfred University and currently resides with his wife, Linda, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Two of his children (including Sharon Lagas) and four of his grandchildren are affected with Alport Syndrome.

Secretary Margaret Blue
Email: mblue@alportsyndrome.org

Margaret has over 15 years of experience in healthcare
administration. She holds masters degrees in health administration and bioengineering from Arizona State University, and currently owns a physician practice consulting company in Phoenix, Arizona. She is married with two sons, ages 9 and 6, who play soccer with the Lagas boys.