Executive Director

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Executive Director	Mr. Steve Taylor
E-mail	staylor@arthritis.org
Term Start	January 2022
Steve 's Experience: Steve joined the Arthritis Foundation in February 2021. In his role, Steve is in charge of helping accelerate scientific discoveries, improve quality of life for arthritis patients and address access to care issues, as well as oversee our finance operations. Steve comes to us from the Sjogren's Foundation (SF), where he most recently served as the organization's chief executive officer. Since joining SF in 2003, Steve worked to make Sjogren's a household name, increasing awareness among the general public and health care professionals. Steve led SF through major strategic initiatives, including development of the first ever Clinical Practices Guidelines for Sjogren's, giving physicians a roadmap on how to treat, manage and monitor their patients. Steve was instrumental in tripling SF's fundraising budget, introducing new avenues of individual giving and amplifying their signature fundraising events. Since his childhood, Steve has been devoted to worthy causes, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association's telethon and American Heart Association's Jump Rope Heart program. He has also served in staff leadership positions at the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society and in 2019, served as volunteer chair of the National Health Council board of directors. Steve holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston University and received his executive MBA from Auburn University in 2013. He lives in northern Virginia and is the proud father of three sons. "I am humbled by the patients we serve and their fortitude to challenge the life-altering effects of arthritis," says Steve. "I am honored to be a part of their story as we all work together to champion the fight against arthritis."

Staff

Full Time Staff	1
Part Time Staff	0
Volunteers	50
Contractors	0
Retention Rate	100%

Plans & Policies

Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan?	Yes
Does your organization have a Strategic Plan?	Yes
Years Strategic Plan Considers	5
When was the Strategic Plan adopted?	November 2020
Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan?	Yes
Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan?	Yes
Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy?	Yes
Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy?	Yes
Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy?	Yes

Evaluation

Is there a formal evaluation for...		Frequency (if applicable)
CEO/Executive Director	Yes	Annually
Senior Management	Yes	Annually
Non-Management	Yes	Annually

Affiliations

Affiliation	Year
American Camp Association - Member	2015
Community Health Charities	2004
Hands On Network	2013

Awards

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Award / Recognition	Organization	Year
Gold Award, Tribute event	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2006
Gold Circle Award, Nashville Walk	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2006
Silver Award, Nashville Arthritis Walk	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2005
Silver Award, Nashville Tribute Evening	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2005
Silver Circle Award, Nashville Walk	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2007
Silver Circle Award, Tribute event	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2007
Siver Award, Tribute event	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2008
Top Chapter, Arthritis Walk	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2003
Top Chapter, Arthritis Walk	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2004
Top Chapter, Arthritis Walk	Arthritis Foundation, National Office	2005

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments

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At the Arthritis Foundation we stay focused on three things: prevention, control and cure. Prevention, to stall the growing epidemic of osteoarthritis brought about by the convergence of aging baby boomers, sports injuries, and obesity. Control, for the 50 million Americans living with arthritis and struggling with daily tasks. Cure, for the young and old who have arthritis or will be diagnosed with arthritis in the future. Prevention is possible in many cases and can be achieved through education. Control can be achieved by an individual choosing to participate in our signature programs, allowing them to take a positive step in their own healthcare management and helping to improve strength, flexibility, endurance and the ability to manage chronic pain. Control is also uniting voices of those who live with arthritis, to promote the need for increased federal funding for research, to reduce costs of medication and treatments, and to increase access to rheumatology specialists. And ultimately, we need a cure! Raising funds for ever critical research efforts through our events, introducing or re-introducing people to our organization's mission, and recruiting quality, active volunteer leadership --are all methods utilized to raise awareness about, and funding for, arthritis. While we wait for cures for the many diseases comprising arthritis, the foundation offers education, support programs, exercise and disease management courses. We know that this menu of services positively impacts the quality of life of adult and children in Middle Tennessee that suffer from arthritis. Noted anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world?.indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." It was in 1953 in Nashville that a small group of thoughtful, committed people started the Tennessee Chapter and became part of a nationwide effort working toward a world free of arthritis.