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| Basil O'Connor (1938-1972) |
Over the last 85 years, seven individuals have held the title of President.
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| Basil O'Connor (1938-1972) |
Paralysis, serving from its founding in 1938 to 1972. He was born Daniel Basil O’Connor on January 8, 1892 in Taunton, Massachusetts, but later dropped the name “Daniel.” His friends knew him as “Doc.” He received a B.A. (1912) from Dartmouth College and LL.B. (1915) from Harvard Law School. His career as a lawyer led to a law partnership with Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1925-1933) with whom he led the fight to conquer polio, first as president of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation and subsequently through The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, founded by President Roosevelt in 1938. In the 1930s, Mr. O’Connor was a member of FDR’s inner circle of personal advisors known as the “Brains Trust.” On November 16, 1944 Roosevelt also appointed him President of the American National Red Cross, a post he retained until October 1, 1949.
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| Charles Massey (1978-1989) |
Charles Massey: (1978-1989) Massey's career began in 1948 as a "State Representative" for Arkansas. In this role, he was charged with organizing and maintaining 75 local March of Dimes chapters throughout the state. This role also included running point during polio outbreaks that popped up throughout the state. In 1951, Massey became The South Central Regional Director (Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas), a position in the National Office that required Massey and his family to move to headquarters in New York.
Massey's career trajectory continued upward. In 1972, Massey was named Executive Vice President of the Foundation and he would assume the title of President in 1978.
Massey oversaw the infusion of corporations into March of Dimes fundraising tactics as businesses began to see WalkAmerica as an excellent employee engagement opportunity. The 1980s also saw rise to a brief era (1983-1986) where March of Dimes held locally televised "Telethons" to raise awareness and funds for the organization's work.
The creation of the "Office of Government Affairs" gave rise to "Congressional Walk" (a bi-partisan event that featured members of the Senate and the House participating in a WalkAmerica event) and led to early March of Dimes advocacy efforts.
Massey oversaw the continued mission focus on birth defects prevention and also started the organization on its path towards preterm birth.
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| Dr. Jennifer L. Howse (1990-2016) |
Dr. Jennifer L. Howse: (1990-2016) Dr. Howse became president of the March of Dimes in 1990. She joined the March of Dimes as executive director of the Greater New York Chapter. Prior to that, she held several top public service leadership positions including state commissioner for Mental Retardation in Pennsylvania, associate commissioner for Mental Retardation in New York State, and executive director of the Federal Court-appointed Willowbrook Review Panel in New York City.
Dr. Howse holds a doctorate from Florida State University. She serves on the Board of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, and the National Health Council. She has served on national advisory committees for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, including the Advisory Committee on Heritable Diseases in Newborns and Children. Dr. Howse is an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Howse led the organization as it shifted from birth defects to preterm birth.
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| Stacey D. Stewart (2017-2022) |
Stacey D. Stewart: (2017-2022) Before joining the March of Dimes, Stewart served as the U.S. President of United Way Worldwide where she provided strategic direction in driving community impact, as well as enhancing the organization’s brand. A business veteran, Stewart also has held a number of senior roles, including Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President for the Office of Community and Charitable Giving at Fannie Mae, as well as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Fannie Mae Foundation.
Stewart holds a master’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgetown University. In addition to many national awards, she also has been recognized with honorary degrees from Alabama A&M, Morgan State University, Texas Southern University and Trinity University. Mrs. Stewart is married to Jarvis C. Stewart, the Chairman and Managing Partner of I+R Media LLC, a public affairs and strategic communications firm based in Washington, D.C. The Stewarts have two children, Madeleine and Savannah.
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| Dr. Elizabeth Cherot (2023 - 2024) |
Dr. Elizabeth Cherot: (2023 - 2024) Dr. Cherot joined the organization in January of 2023 as the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical and Health Officer. During her brief time here, she has successfully brought our critical mission to the forefront of political and media spaces to highlight the need to provide better outcomes for all moms and babies, regardless of their background. She has been working to expand our mission initiatives by advancing doula work, expanding our Innovation Fund and exploring new opportunities and partnerships for growth. Dr. Cherot rose to the top of our committee's search with her vision and strategy, commitment to health equity, and her depth of knowledge in the maternal and infant health space. Dr. Cherot’s passion to provide the best quality of care to all has been the hallmark of her remarkable career.
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| Cindy Rahman (2024 - present) |
As Interim President and CEO, Cindy will focus on executing the organization's 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, emphasizing program impact, financial growth, market reach, and organizational performance. She will also prioritize enhancing engagement efforts to foster an inclusive and positive workplace culture, collaborating with dedicated staff on mission-critical initiatives, and engaging with key stakeholders to strengthen support for March of Dimes’ cause.
"I’m grateful to the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to step into the role of Interim President and CEO at March of Dimes, especially after having spent the past several years deeply engaged with our mission, our incredible team, and generous community of supporters,” said Cindy Rahman. “Understanding our strengths and recognizing our opportunities will allow us to continue to build on the strong foundation we have in place across the organization. My priority is to ensure that our dedicated staff, supporters, and community recognize and feel gratitude for their collective efforts in making a lasting impact for all moms and babies.”
Cindy has served as March of Dimes Chief Marketing Officer for the past five years where she was named the American Marketing Association (AMA) Foundation’s National Nonprofit Marketer of the Year. With a proven track record of success, Cindy has demonstrated remarkable leadership in rebuilding the marketing team as a strategic partner, elevating the organization's brand, expanding donor reach, and driving digital and direct response strategy. Her deep commitment to the organization's mission is evident in every initiative she undertakes. She is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and George Washington University School of Business.
On February 6th, 2025, it was announced that the "Interim" title had been removed and Cindy Rahman was named "President and CEO".
ARLINGTON, VA, February 6, 2025 – March of Dimes, the nation’s leading nonprofit fighting for the health of all moms and babies, is pleased to announce that Cindy Rahman has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Rahman, who has been serving as the organization’s interim President and CEO since August, brings more than two decades of experience working in nonprofit and corporate sectors, specializing in health, brand management, marketing, and organizational growth.
In her new role, Rahman will continue leading March of Dimes’ strategic vision and championing the organization’s mission to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the US through initiatives like March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® and NICU Family Support®, the organization’s largest annual fundraiser, March For Babies, and advocating for life-saving policies like Medicaid expansion. She will fuel financial growth, expand market reach to drive meaningful change, foster a culture of collaboration and establish even higher standards of excellence within the organization.
“I’m honored to step into the role of President and CEO at March of Dimes and continue working alongside our dedicated team to improve the lives of moms and babies," said Cindy Rahman. "Looking ahead, I am committed to building on our strong legacy by enhancing organizational efficiencies, modernizing our workflow, and pushing the boundaries of excellence even further. March of Dimes has always set a high bar, and I am dedicated to ensuring we continue to evolve and exceed expectations in support of our mission and the families who rely on us.”
During her time in the interim President and CEO role, Rahman skillfully led the organization through significant leadership and organizational transitions. Previously, Rahman was the organization’s Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, playing a pivotal role in revitalizing the March of Dimes brand, particularly among younger and more diverse audiences. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission through data-driven strategies, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
“Cindy has demonstrated exceptional leadership during her tenure at March of Dimes, and we’re thrilled to have her at the helm,” shared Ellen Kelsay, Board Chair of the March of Dimes National Board of Trustees. “Her ability to blend research, marketing, and advocacy has been invaluable in driving growth and impact. Under her leadership, we’re confident that March of Dimes will continue to advance its mission and create a lasting impact on maternal and infant health.”
Throughout her career, Rahman has been recognized with numerous industry accolades, including the PR News Agency Elite Award, PRSA Silver Anvil Finalist for Reputation Management, and the American Marketing Association’s National Nonprofit Marketer of the Year in 2022. As a mom to a nine-year-old son, she is very active in her community, having volunteered as assistant coach with the McLean Youth Soccer program, participating in the local Parent Teacher Association chapter, and currently volunteers at her local community center. She’s an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and George Washington University School of Business.
For more information and news about March of Dimes, visit www.marchofdimes.org.
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Updated Feb 6, 2025.
