Mary Franklin is retiring from her position as the Executive Director of the National Headache Foundation, effective November 3, 2020. Mary is a passionate advocate for people with headache diseases, and for the NHF. She joined the NHF in 2011 after a 40-year career at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago. During her work with Dr. Seymour Diamond, she wore many hats, including that of a registered nurse, biofeedback technician, editor, author, researcher, and administrator. After 50 years in headache, she plans to continue to volunteer as an advocate.
We have come a long way as a community, but there is much work to be done. We are excited to continue these efforts by building on the strong foundation Mary built. This is why we are pleased to welcome Thomas Dabertin to the NHF as our new Executive Director.
Thomas Dabertin, MBA, is a life-long resident of the Chicago area. He has been the Director of Operations of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chief Operating Officer of a school district, and a town manager. For the past 20 years, Tom served as a certified management consultant to several non-profits, local governments, and educational institutions, working to help those organizations succeed. He believes strongly in volunteerism, and has served on nearly 40 boards and commissions. He is also the Chairman and Co-founder of Pierogi Fest, one of Chicagoland’s and the State of Indiana’s largest annual festivals.
“For years, I experienced the pain and disability of migraine disease, and had to deal with the disruption migraine creates in our personal and professional lives. That experience makes the work and mission of the Foundation personal.”
We look forward to working with Tom as we continue to advance the mission of the NHF.
Please join us in wishing a happy retirement to Mary Franklin, and giving an enthusiastic welcome to Tom Dabertin as we begin the next 50 years at the National Headache Foundation.