Employee Spotlight

In this winter issue, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on three remarkable HFA team members whose dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on our company and culture. Join us as we dive into their journeys, uncover their insights, and discover what drives their passion each day at HFA.

Angela Burton, Grants Manager

Angela Burton has dedicated her career to making a difference in the lives of individuals and families within the bleeding disorders community. Since 2018, she has served as the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) grants manager, where she works passionately to secure funding that helps advance HFA’s mission. Before this, Angela coordinated HFA’s Helping Hands Program, collaborating closely with social workers to provide essential financial assistance and resources to families navigating complex healthcare challenges.

Her commitment to this community runs deep, dating back to her time as Communication and Special Projects Manager at the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan (HFM). There, she was involved in everything from branding and event coordination to managing the Scholarship Program. Angela’s heart for service also shone through her years as a counselor at HFM’s Camp Bold Eagle. 

Among her proudest achievements was organizing the inaugural Women’s Tea and playing a pivotal role in the World AIDS Day Detroit events—efforts that continue to impact today.

Earlier in her career, Angela served as Chief Operating Officer at a local nonprofit in the City of Detroit, overseeing strategic planning, grant writing, and program management. With over twenty years of nonprofit leadership experience, she remains deeply committed to improving access to care and advancing health equity for marginalized communities. Angela’s work is driven by her passion for advocacy and the desire to support those in need.

Pat Brown, Vice President of Meetings, DEI, and Services

Pat’s expertise lies in event and meeting planning. She worked for several nonprofit organizations whose missions align closely with her passion. Early in Pat’s career, she worked for a disability organization whose mission focused on ensuring a life of inclusion for individuals with disabilities. From then on, Pat was committed to contributing to improving the lives of individuals and their families who needed assistance from Nonprofits to advocate on their behalf. Her mission-driven work brought her to the Hemophilia Federation of America, and she started her career at HFA as a meeting planner.  

After 13 years, she now feels like a community member herself. 

Although Pat is a meeting planner, she has been fully committed to improving the lives of the various communities of the organizations and meeting the needs of every individual who faces challenges caused by difficult circumstances. For this reason, Pat is determined that everyone has access to the meetings and events she plans. She has been a presenter at meeting planning conferences focused on ADA-accessible meetings and has gone on-site visits – sometimes with a tape measure in hand to ensure doorways are wide enough and the infrastructure allows for barrier-free and seamless participation of individuals with disabilities. 

Pat realizes that one size never fits all when it comes to accessibility and focuses on the needs of every individual early in the planning process. 

In addition, Pat has a passion for DE&I and health equity and was the staff lead for HFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group alongside HFA’s Bleeding Disorder Health Disparities Council. As a woman of color, Pat understands the inequities people face regarding healthcare.   

“HFA takes these inequities very seriously and advocates ensuring everyone within the bleeding disorders community can access diagnosis and care regardless of their background and ethnicity,” she notes. 

 Pat is passionate about HFA’s mission, and after 13 years of service, she is considered an invaluable part of the team.

Nassim Gale, Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Nassim Gale was born into a refugee family from Iran who were fortunate to call Germany their long-term home.

Living a life filled with uncertainty, poverty, and discrimination shaped Nassim into an individual of resiliency, ambition, and compassion for others.

“My mother inspired me to change the narrative for our family. She risked her life and lost everything due to her political bravery. Now it’s time to give back.”

Nassim’s motivation resulted in being best in class during an apprenticeship in one of Europe’s largest IT and telecommunications corporations. This led to a long tenure before she relocated to the United States.

After multiple years in Germany and a solid career in client management and communications, she has expanded her experience from the technology sector to the healthcare industry.

At Hemophilia Federation of America, Nassim focuses on delivering effective strategies to communicate with stakeholders and the community.

“My international experience helps me understand the needs of our diverse stakeholders and translate them into an actionable plan.”

In addition, Nassim enjoys engaging with patients, advocates, and industry partners while showcasing the impact of their work to clients and industry partners.

“As a data-lover and relationship builder, it fills me with pride to share my team’s impact on our organizational goals and the value we bring to the community..”

In her spare time, she engages in Animal Welfare initiatives and loves exploring the D.C. area with her daughter.

Nassim enjoys giving back to the community by leading a group of immigrants and expats in Denver, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. She volunteers as a mentor to individuals and their families who are starting a new life away from home.