Senior Staff

Simon Suran

Chief Financial Officer

Simon is a seasoned business and finance executive with over 20 years of experience across the nonprofit associations, public accounting, utilities sector, telecommunications, and manufacturing, both within the U.S. and internationally.

In his role as a CFO of AAPA. Simon provides strategic financial guidance to the executive team and board, contributing to the overall organizational vision and outcomes. He works with the CEO and the leadership team to build connection and accountability across the organization to financial results and use of data to support decisions. As a key thought and business partner in the c-suite, Executive Team and beyond, Simon collaborates closely to facilitate organizational success and revenue growth. He also focuses on strong processes and team engagement to support robust decisions, actions and value creation across the organization and its stakeholders.

Before joining AAPA, Simon spent nearly two years as the vice president of finance and accounting with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and The Manufacturing Institute (MI). He provided strategic direction to the finance team and was responsible for all aspects of financial management, including financial accounting, revenue cycle, budgeting, cashflow management, and long-term financial forecasting, for both organizations.

Before his time at NAM, Simon spent eight years with National Hospice and Palliative Care organization (NHPCO) as the vice president of finance, business strategies and technology. He was responsible for shaping the organization’s financial direction for stability and growth and driving a modern technology strategy and infrastructure to provide efficient and high-quality products and service to members, customers, and staff. While working at NHPCO he has developed a keen interest in healthcare sector and strongly believes in patient and family-centered care.

Simon strongly believes in coaching and supporting the development of staff. He recognizes growth potential in his staff and mentors them into advanced positions, instilling the confidence he has in his employees in themselves. Simon is a certified public accountant, with a degree in accounting and economics from the University of the South Pacific, Suva Fiji.

Simon is originally from the Fiji Islands, and he resides in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he loves hiking and running with his family and friends.

Jennifer M. Orozco-Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Chief Medical Officer,
SVP, Clinical Affairs,
Executive Director (Interim), PA Foundation

Jennifer M. Orozco-Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA is the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the interim Executive Director of the PA Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the AAPA).

Dr. Orozco-Kolb has served as a volunteer leader, patient advocate, and change agent of the PA profession and all of healthcare for more than 2o+ years. She has held multiple leadership positions at both the state and national levels and is the former president and chair of the AAPA board of directors. She is a strong advocate for health equity and improving patient care access and a champion of healthcare advocacy efforts on both the state and federal levels. She is an accomplished speaker, published author, and Op-Ed scholar.

Much of Orozco-Kolb’s career had been dedicated to the clinical and academic leadership teams at Rush University System for Health in Chicago, Illinois. In that role, she was an assistant professor, vascular surgery PA, and the director of advanced practice for more than 400 PAs and APRNs across the hospital system.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in exercise physiology from University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Medical Science in PA Studies from Midwestern University, and a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. When not working to modernize healthcare, Dr. Orozco-Kolb spends most of her free time outdoors cycling and traveling with her husband Kevin and her three children, Maddux, Matias, and Belicia, in Fox River Grove, Illinois.

Patricia Beeson

Vice President of Human Resources

Patricia Beeson is Vice President of Human Resources for the American Academy of PAs. Patricia serves as a strategic business partner to leadership and staff, providing comprehensive human resource strategies related to workforce organization and design, culture and engagement, acquisition and development, leadership training and total rewards.

As AAPA’s current human resources leader, Patricia works to balance and align the interests of leadership, staff, and the organization. Additionally, she provides valuable insight regarding changing trends in benefits, recruitment, and company culture. Patricia believes strongly in the positive impact that can result by establishing a strategic HR infrastructure that provides opportunities for innovation, collaboration and employee engagement.

Patricia graduated from Northwestern University with her bachelor’s degree before obtaining her graduate degree in hotel management at the International Hotel School in Lausanne, Switzerland. She then spent over a decade as a Human Resources leader in the hospitality industry at several historic luxury hotels in DC, including the Willard Inter-Continental and the Jefferson Hotel. Following more than a decade in the Hospitality field, Patricia moved into her first role at a Healthcare Association, ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professional), as the HR Director and at CHC (Community Heath Charities of America).

Patricia continues to focus on providing strategic, innovative, high touch, thoughtful HR leadership to meet the unexpected challenges that arise as organizations adapt to changing social and economic markets. She is an active member of SHRM and the SHRM VA State Chapter. She volunteers for ANY (America Needs You) as a mentor coach working directly with first generation college students helping them develop the necessary career and life skills to navigate life post-graduation. She is also a member of StreetWise Employer Advisory Board, a non-profit organization whose core mission is to reduce unemployment within disadvantaged communities.

Phil Bongiorno

Senior Vice President of Advocacy & Government Relations

Phil Bongiorno is an accomplished association executive leader specializing in government relations management with an extensive public policy background. He has in-depth experience aligning resources with key priorities and anticipating organizational needs. In addition, he is a results-oriented executive with proven success establishing and achieving strategic objectives and building collaborative relationships. With a vast background in advocacy and health policy, Phil has in-depth knowledge and understanding of leading data driven, high quality and innovative government relations programs.

Phil has worked for healthcare organizations his entire career and has a passion for patient advocacy. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Home Care Association of America and has served in senior management positions overseeing health policy strategy and federal and state affairs for various organizations including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, College of American Pathologists and the American Public Health Association.

Chantell Taylor

Chief of Public Affairs & Advocacy

Chantell has over 30 years of experience in public policy, legislative advocacy, corporate governance, and social responsibility. Prior to joining AAPA, Chantell served as the Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs for UCHealth, the largest nonprofit academic health system in the Rocky Mountain region. Her breadth of experience spans across both public and private sectors, including leading a political law practice as a partner in a national law firm, launching and directing several nonprofit advocacy organizations, and directing the government relations strategy for one of Colorado’s largest energy companies. She is most passionate about advocating for the healthcare workforce, patients’ access to equitable and affordable care, and promoting healthy communities.

Chantell earned her bachelor’s degree in human geography from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her J.D. from the University of Denver. She has been a political junkie her whole life and is involved in several organizations dedicated to electing more women to public office. She also serves as the incoming board chair of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Chantell lives in the heart of Denver, CO with her two rescue dogs and her husband, who works in the outdoor recreation industry. They have two daughters in college, spend lots of time at their cabin in the mountains, and enjoy backcountry skiing, cycling, hiking and pretty much anything outdoors.

W. Tate Heuer

Vice President of Federal Advocacy

W. Tate Heuer is Vice President of Federal Advocacy for the American Academy of PAs. Mr. Heuer oversees and coordinates federal legislative and regulatory advocacy for the PA profession. He has in-depth knowledge of health policy and the legislative process from more than 20 years of experience working on federal healthcare issues.

Mr. Heuer most recently served as senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Previously he worked in senior legislative positions in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Heuer received a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University. He resides in Fairfax County, VA, with his wife and two children.

Dana Carter

Vice President of State Advocacy & Outreach

Dana is a seasoned public policy and advocacy leader with 22 years of experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, and grassroots mobilization. She has a proven track record of shaping policies that expand access, advance equity, and drive meaningful change.

Before joining AAPA, Dana served as the Regional Director of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen, where she spearheaded legislative initiatives to improve healthcare equity, advance and engage advocates, and enhance patient access to life-saving treatments. Her leadership has resulted in key policy victories across multiple states, directly impacting communities in need.

Dana’s commitment to public service spans state agencies, nonprofits, and local governments, where she has successfully built coalitions, influenced legislation, and fostered stakeholder collaboration at local, state, and national levels. Her expertise in navigating complex policy landscapes has made her a trusted voice in advocacy and government relations.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Leadership from Western Governors University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Indianapolis.

Outside of work, Dana enjoys mentoring emerging leaders, playing with her dogs, and baking indulgent sweet treats.

Karen Morgan

Senior Vice President, Communications, Governance & Leadership Development

Karen Morgan has more than 30 years of experience as a strategic planning and organizational management professional at the highest levels of government, diplomacy, politics and corporate enterprise. As an influential leader, skilled adviser and detail-oriented manager, Karen’s expertise will be critical to the Academy as she supports the Board of Directors in executing AAPA’s Strategic Plan and fulfilling its fiduciary and organizational leadership responsibilities.

Karen has served as a consultant to Fannie Mae, the Texas Speaker of the House, Citigroup, the Hillwood Corporation, Goldman Sachs, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Gates Foundation and Mayer, Brown and Platt, LLP. Her key responsibilities included managing day-to-day relationships with internal and external stakeholders and analyzing organizational and management practices to identify gaps and implement recommendations to streamline processes, create strategic opportunities and enhance performance.

Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Karen held a variety of progressively responsible leadership and organizational management roles. As the director of corporate scheduling for Fannie Mae, Karen created and managed an infrastructure to support public events involving the executive leadership. She also served several tours in the White House, beginning with President Ronald Reagan’s first term and continuing through President George H. W. Bush’s presidency. During this 12-year period, she became one of Secretary James A. Baker, III’s key advisers. She served with him at the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State and the White House. During Secretary Baker’s tenure at the Department of State, Karen was responsible for the orchestration and management of such historic foreign policy events as: the Madrid Peace Conference, the Coordinating Conference on Assistance to the New Independent States and the Jackson Hole Ministerial.

Karen received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University. She resides in Annapolis, Md., with her husband and four sons.

Angela Shuman

Vice President of State Advocacy and Outreach

Angela Shuman is Vice President of State Advocacy and Outreach at the American Academy of Physician Associates, leading AAPA’s state advocacy program and strategic outreach to AAPA’s more than 120 constituent organizations. She has extensive experience with state advocacy and health policy in professional associations, having led state advocacy programs for the American College of Cardiology and the American Physical Therapy Association. Angela earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ball State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia Southern University.

While she loves living in the District of Columbia and its excellent cultural and dining scenes, Angela escapes to the woods as often as possible to hike and explore the outdoors with her favorite partners in adventure, her husband and dog.

Donna Nogay

Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, Membership, & Meetings

Donna Nogay is AAPA’s Senior Vice President Marketing, Membership & Meetings, providing the strategic vision for these areas as well as business development functions. Drawing from her extensive experience in business, strategic planning, marketing and communications, Donna works to foster a high-performing culture within her teams and AAPA, with specific focus on member value and experience, brand elevation, and revenue generation.

Donna has more than 30 years of marketing and leadership experience. As an independent marketing consultant, she provided expertise to clients to position them for profitability and success. She also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Uness, LLC, where she managed financial and resource investment for newly created companies. Prior to this position, Donna developed, directed, and managed the profit and loss of a marketing and communications consulting firm, growing revenue more than 500% and providing marketing communications expertise to over 100 projects annually. This firm was purchased by a global management consulting firm, where she directed the marketing and communications practice servicing Fortune 1000 companies.

Donna began her career at J. Walter Thompson, providing media planning and buying expertise for large corporations throughout the U.S. She also served as the Director of Advertising for a retail corporation with more than 260 stores nationwide.

Daniel Pace

Vice President of Education and Research & Chief Strategy Officer

Daniel Pace, B.S., CHCP is Vice President of Education and Research and Chief Strategy Officer at the American Academy of PAs. He joined AAPA in the Fall of 2006, shortly after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Math and Philosophy. As Chief Strategy Officer, Daniel collaborates with the AAPA Board of Directors, Chief Staff Officers and other volunteer leaders to develop and implement AAPA’s multiyear strategic plan. As Vice President of Education and Research, Daniel leads the teams responsible for Learning Central – the continuing professional development home for PAs, JAAPA – the peer-reviewed clinical journal of AAPA, the AAPA Category 1 CME credit system and developing solutions that facilitate practice improvement, certification maintenance, and career development. Daniel is passionate about helping PAs and the healthcare team improve patient outcomes through continuing professional development and by ensuring that a variety of internal and external stakeholders have access to reports, publications, and resources to better understand the PA profession.

Daniel is a member of both the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions (ACEhp) and has been actively involved with both organizations for over a decade, volunteering on various committees and presenting numerous educational sessions at ASAE and ACEHP conferences.

Anil Ravandur

Chief Information Officer

Anil Ravandur has a proven track record in effectively defining digital strategy, managing digital transformation, building and optimizing best-in-class IT infrastructure for professional associations. He has extensive experience integrating and implementing large-scale technology projects, contract negotiation, and vendor management. Most importantly, Anil is known for his collaborative and service-oriented approach in his relationships with colleagues and members.

Prior to joining AAPA, Anil served as the Senior Director of Technology for the Association for Talent Development, a professional membership association with over 40,000 members in 120 countries. He was responsible for ATD’s technology planning and overall IT operations and led technological innovation in support of ATD’s growth from an annual $24M in revenue to $48M over eight years. He also led the development of ATD’s first digital strategy, and was responsible for the architectural design and implementation of critical new technologies and systems, including a state-of-the-art Association Management System (AMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, Content Management System (CMS), Learning Management System (LMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Notably, Anil also introduced advanced conference technology to ATD, including a conference website, online registration, booth sales, speaker management, and conference app.

Prior to ATD, Anil was the Practice Manager at Personify, a market-leading association management solution provider, where he worked from 1996 to 2010. In this role, he led the efforts to assist client IT departments align their technology roadmap with their organizational goals.

Anil received his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Wyoming. He resides in Fairfax, VA, with his wife and two children.

Lynette Sappe-Watkins

Executive Director of PA Foundation

Lynette Sappe-Watkins is the Executive Director of the PA Foundation (PAF). As the head of PAF, Lynette leads the foundation in all efforts to strategically accomplish its mission of empowering PAs to improve health through philanthropy and service. She works in very close partnership with PAF’s Board of Trustees and AAPA’s senior leadership team.

Lynette has more than 15 years of fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience. Prior to joining AAPA, she served as the Director of Development at the American Pharmacists Association Foundation (APhA).

Since 2013, Lynette has served on the Board of Directors of the Association Foundation Group. During her time on the board she has held the positions of Marketing Chair, President Elect and National Conference Chair, President and Past President.

Lisa Gables

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa M. Gables, CPA, is an association executive with extensive experience in healthcare and aging services. She was named chief executive officer of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) in September 2020 after serving as interim CEO since June 2019.

Gables has been with AAPA since 2012, having served as chief financial officer and chief development officer from May 2012 to September 2020. In these roles she was responsible for overseeing the financial management of the organization, fostering external strategic outreach to individuals and like-minded organizations, and developing and implementing an integrated strategy to generate opportunities to provide AAPA and the PA Foundation with funding to support their missions.

From May 2012 to July 2015, Gables also served as the executive director of the PA Foundation. Prior to joining AAPA and the PA Foundation, she was the executive director of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) Foundation and the chief development and program officer of ASCP where she held similar roles. Before that Gables was the executive director of the National Adult Day Services Association, where she increased awareness of adult day services with federal regulators while managing all aspects of the association’s operations. Prior to that, she served as the chief financial officer of the National Council on Aging and vice president of finance and business development for Active Services Corporation, the nation’s largest adult day services, home care and rehabilitation network.

Gables also served as finance manager and senior financial analyst for Birmingham Baptist Medical Center and held financial positions with ReLife, Inc. and Ernst & Young. She is a certified public accountant with a degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to her career in aging and health services, Gables serves in several leadership roles, including on the board of the Primary Care Collaborative and as the past Chair of the American Society on Aging. She is also the past treasurer of the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation and currently serves as a volunteer with the Fairfax County Adult Protective Services Agency.

Sondra DePalma, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Vice President of Reimbursement and Professional Practice

Sondra DePalma DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA is the Vice President of Reimbursement and Professional Practice at the American Academy of Physician Associates. She has been a PA, healthcare leader, and professional advocate at the national and state levels for over 20 years. Dr. DePalma is an expert on healthcare policy, reimbursement, and PA Practice, is a regular speaker at national conferences, and is an award-winning author of peer-reviewed articles, clinical practice guidelines, and textbook chapters.

Before joining AAPA she was an Assistant Director of Advanced Practice at Penn State Health and a past President of the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology. She practiced cardiology for nearly 20 years and has advanced certifications in lipidology and hypertension management. Sondra is also an adjunct assistant professor in A.T. Still University’s Doctor of Medical Science program..

Dr. DePalma earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mercyhurst University, a Master of Health Science in PA Studies from Lock Haven University, and a Doctor of Health Sciences with dual concentrations in Leadership & Organizational Behavior and Fundamentals of Education from A.T. Still University. She has a graduate certificate in the Science of Healthcare Delivery and is experienced in healthcare management and quality improvement.

When not advocating for PAs and the patients they serve, she spends her time in Florida and Pennsylvania with her husband and dog.