Board of Directors

Ashley Valentine is the co-founder of Sick Cells and the Chair of the Board. She is a recognized leader in the sickle cell community at a local and national level. She brings a wealth of experience to the field of sickle cell disease (SCD) both through her professional and personal experience.

Adrienne Bell-Cors Shapiro is a sickle cell disease and stem cell patient advocate, the founder and science administrator of the Axis Advocacy foundation, and a fifth-generation mother of a child with SCD. She is a recipient of the highest honor in the regenerative medicine community, the 2018 Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Action Inspiration Award.

Terri M. Booker, Esquire is the Vice Chair of the Board. She was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Camden, NJ. Terri received her BA in economics from Loyola University in Maryland. She received her JD from The University of Pace Law School. Terri was an active member of the Black Law Student Association her first year of law school and from 2008-2010 went on to serve as vice president.

Mr. Holloway is currently an Associate at Covington and Burling LLP in Los Angeles. He completed his undergraduate and legal studies at Harvard University. His experience includes working as a summer associate for O’Melveny & Myers LLP in Los Angeles and Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, DC. Mr. Holloway also worked as a full-time Judicial Intern for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2020, in Washington, DC. Mr. Holloway has a sibling and a niece living with SCD, and a sibling who gained their warrior wings.

Dan Jabs is an Army veteran and activist. He has worked as a Peer Support Specialist for veterans returning from deployment, assisting them in accessing various social services and providing guidance for a cognitive behavioral therapy program. Other projects have included starting a recurring breakfast group meeting for combat veterans, petitioning (and then successfully suing) the state of Illinois to add PTSD to the list of conditions eligible for medical cannabis, and many others.

Dorinda Lawrence-Sims is Sick Cells Treasurer and operates in the tole of Secretary-as needed. Dorinda is a CPA, an event planner, and the founder of Circle of Life Center 4 Hope Sickle Cell Disease Foundation. She is active in the sickle cell disease space as an adult living with SCD.

Maxwell Mattite is a public policy analyst whose work is focused on examining socio-economic issues faced by vulnerable populations, including people with disability, low income communities, children, women, and immigrants.

Maia brings a unique combination of professional expertise and personal experience that will be invaluable in advancing our mission to improve the quality of life and raise awareness for those affected by sickle cell disease.

As an individual living with sickle cell disease, Maia has a deeply personal connection to the cause and a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating life with this condition. This perspective has fueled her passion for healthcare advocacy, driving her to work tirelessly to improve healthcare access and outcomes for those living with chronic conditions. Her career in healthcare includes over 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors, where she has dedicated herself to championing health equity and patient-centered care.