Steps2Walk Leadership Team
The organization is managed by a board of directors, an executive director, an international program director, and an international Board of Medical Advisors drawn from the world’s leading orthopedic Foot and ankle surgeons.
Every year Steps2Walk conducts dozens of programs around the world to help disabled patients regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. Recruiting the leading specialists in the field of orthopedic foot and ankle surgery to volunteer their time and talent, we are able to conduct the utmost difficult surgeries and educate the next generation of local in-country surgeons on how to perform future surgeries by themselves.
Dr. Mark Myerson
President & Founder
Dr. Mark Myerson is the Medical Director of The Foot and Ankle Association Inc. An internationally recognized leader in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, he was Past President of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. He is a consultant to the orthopaedic industry, an honorary member of numerous international orthopaedic societies and plays an active role in defining national standards for orthopaedic foot and ankle practice. Dr. Myerson has authored more than 300 research publications as well as six textbooks covering various treatments of foot and ankle conditions, and is a frequently invited guest speaker, giving professional talks around the globe as consultant and educator. Dr. Myerson travels frequently around the world as part of humanitarian programs for underprivileged and disabled citizens with deformities, simultaneously teaching and enabling surgeons in those countries to continue care of these patients.
Tom Ferro
Chief Executive Officer
Tom brings management board level, C-Suite experiences within billion-dollar plus multinational orthopedic market leaders (DePuy Synthes, Zimmer-Biomet, and Stryker Orthopedics) early entrepreneurial endeavors, and start-up initiatives through a company he founded. He also brings cross-functional area expertise that he has leveraged to align and strengthen organizational efficiency and effectiveness, successfully develop, and execute strategic plans, and positioning businesses for competitive advantage that all contributed to above market growth rates in markets worldwide. Lastly, Tom has a strong track record in establishing key strategic relationships and partnerships that will be critical to expand the mission of Steps2Walk worldwide.
Board of Directors
Taking care of individuals limited by disabling deformity in our international communities is not only a privilege but our obligation.
Dr. Mark Myerson is the Medical Director of The Foot and Ankle Association Inc. An internationally recognized leader in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, he was Past President of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. He is a consultant to the orthopaedic industry, an honorary member of numerous international orthopaedic societies and plays an active role in defining national standards for orthopaedic foot and ankle practice. Dr. Myerson has authored more than 300 research publications as well as six textbooks covering various treatments of foot and ankle conditions, and is a frequently invited guest speaker, giving professional talks around the globe as consultant and educator. Dr. Myerson travels frequently around the world as part of humanitarian programs for underprivileged and disabled citizens with deformities, simultaneously teaching and enabling surgeons in those countries to continue care of these patients.
Dr. Leland McCluskey is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon in Columbus, Georgia at the St Francis Orthopaedic Institute. He trained at Tulane University (Orthopaedics) and the Medical College of Wisconsin as a foot/ankle fellow under John Gould. He is a past president of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society. Dr. McCluskey has served with the World Medical Mission as a short term volunteer to Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Honduras, and Guatemala. He also has participated in disaster relief following the earthquakes in Haiti, Nepal and Ecuador with Samaritans Purse. Medical missions has been a real passion for him and his family over the past 13 years.
Thomas San Giovanni, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon internationally recognized as a leader and pioneer in the field of foot and ankle sports medicine, trauma and reconstructive surgery. He is highly regarded for his expertise in sports medicine conditions of the foot and ankle and is sought out by many professional, collegiate and Olympic athletes for treatment. Dr San Giovanni is regarded by colleagues and industry as a truly innovative designer and he has designed numerous orthopaedic implants, devices and instrumentation to advance surgical techniques which are presently being used worldwide. He is passionate about expanding the education and technical skill of surgeons nationally and internationally and is a founder of the Miami Anatomical Research Center, also known as the MARC Institute – the largest independently run surgical cadaver training facility in the world.
Dr. San Giovanni is presently an associate professor within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Florida International University and remains active in academic medicine and research. He is the program director of the Foot and Ankle surgical fellowship at Miami Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute and has served in the past as clinical faculty for the University of Miami medical school orthopaedic residency program.
As a Principal of Financial and Charitable Planning and International Planning at PCG/Private Client Group, AXA Advisors, LLC in Miami, FL, Gloria Barbier uses her diverse background to assist individuals, families and businesses to develop and implement financial strategies. Her responsibilities include consultative planning development with a particular focus on portfolio construction, charitable planning and retirement implementation for professionals and women business owners. She currently leads the Women’s Marketing Group for AXA Advisors, LLC in Miami. Prior to joining PCG/Private Client Group, Gloria acquired over 25 years of experience in senior national and international management capacities, including Forfeit-Financing Director for Irving Trust, Development Director at UNICEF LAC, where she lead the development and funding of small enterprises for women, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Camillus House, and Executive Director at World Vision. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French and has dealt with Fortune 500 companies throughout the U.S. and Latin America. She was Gloria received her B.A. in Economics from Universidad del Rosario– Bogota, Colombia and her M.B.A. in Business Administration from University of Los Andes – Bogota, Colombia. She also completed her Master of International Management (M.I.M.) from University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. She has received certificates in Marketing from Kellogg School of Business, Wealth Management Strategies from AXA Institute at Harvard University and recently was awarded the title of Retirement Planning Specialist from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Gloria is a previous board member of the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, co-founder of PhilanthroGuia, past treasurer of Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, past committee chair of St. Hughes Steinway Concerts, member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Gloria supports the American Red Cross, Lotus House, Asociacion Emergencia Ayacucho, American Cancer Society, Fundacion de Parques Nacionales de Colombia and the YWCA of South Florida. She was the recipient of the Thelma Gibson Award of Excellence, the Determination Award from the Miami Women Who Rock, the Volunteer of the Year from the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership Series Award from Miami-Dade County Public School, Regio IV, and a finalist for the AXA Business Women of the Year award. When not at work, Gloria enjoys teaching about business and finance to women, dancing, music, snow skiing and yoga.
Mr. Dennis Stripe has almost 40 years of experience from various positions in management, sales and marketing on a global basis. When joining Kendall Healthcare Products in 1983, Mr. Stripe started a career within the healthcare industry lasting 33 years. In 1991, Mr. Stripe joined Smith & Nephew as a Senior Product Manager. During his time at Smith & Nephew, Mr. Stripe held various senior positions with Marketing, ending as a Group Marketing Director within the Orthopedic Division. Following a successful career at Smith & Nephew, Mr. Stripe joined the Spine Division of Stryker Corporation in 1996 and remained there until 2008. At Stryker Corporation, Mr. Stripe held several senior management roles on a global basis, including the Vice President of Global Marketing. In 2008, Mr. Stripe joined OrthoHelix Surgical Designs, a medical technology company focusing on implants and instruments for reconstruction surgery. Mr Stripe remained at OrthoHelix Surgical Designs until 2013 and served as Chief Executive Officer and as member of the Board of Directors for five years. OrthoHelix Surgical Designs was ultimately sold to Nasdaq listed company Tornier N.V., a transaction led by Mr. Stripe. Mr. Stripe is currently a key executive of California based Compliant Innovations, a company focusing on software solutions for the healthcare industry, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Central-Insurance Companies and Medshape.
Matthew Wahler is a Certified Public Accountant who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from Baruch College in New York City. He provides tax compliance, advisory and consulting services for estates, trusts, tax-exempt organizations and high-net-worth individuals. Specifically, Matthew assists and advises executors and trustees with administration issues, including tax compliance, asset transfers and funding trusts. He helps his clients understand trust provisions, the role of a fiduciary and the tax implications of trust transactions.
Carl Jarboe is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, providing sound advice in business, probate, governmental, individual, and criminal matters. Carl has continued to serve as the elected Municipal Judge for the City of Grosse Pointe Park for over twenty-two years. Carl’s successful trial and appellate experience has been earned at all levels of the Michigan and federal court systems and in courtrooms in other states. He drafts, negotiates, and enforces agreements for businesses, public entities, and individuals. Carl has been recognized by his peers as a Top Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Preeminent Attorney.
Dr. Pepper Toomey has had an illustrious career as an orthopedic surgeon in Seattle. He graduated from the Mayo Clinic School of Orthopedics and began his work in Wenatchee, WA where he became the chief of staff. He since moved to Seattle where he worked at Swedish hospital, and was the Chairman of the Orthopedic practice. He is the recipient of prestigious and honorary awards including the Nordstrom award for recognition of his work as a teacher and educator. He currently is the director of a successful consulting organization and has immense organizational skill with respect to business management.
Bruce Thompson has spent his career in the orthopedic medical device industry and is currently a senior executive within Exactech, Inc, a full-line Orthopedic company focused on bringing innovative product solutions to Orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of osteoarthritis. He has been with the company for 17 years and is currently the Sr Vice President – International Sales and Business Development. Prior to Exactech, Bruce spent 23 years and held numerous positions with Smith & Nephew, Inc – also focused on orthopedic implants. After holding management positions in finance, manufacturing, marketing and sales management, Bruce has served in several general management positions within these two companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Miami University of Ohio and an Executive MBA degree from the University of Memphis.
Brenda is a retired baccalaureate registered nurse who has held a passion throughout her life for assisting those that life has treated unfairly and giving them a helping hand. Several years ago, she had the honor of serving as a co-president of her local United Methodist Women’s Group. She stepped into this role for a year to ensure the preservation of this historical charity. UMW for many years has been the largest organization for helping women and children. They, like Steps2Walk, will buy women in underprivileged countries a cow instead of milk. They even loan these women money to start their own small businesses. Brenda expresses her good fortune of participating on mission trips to Columbia, Kenya and several trips to Tanzania. Brenda’s grandmother also dedicated her life assisting missionaries. Brenda believe that her passion for helping others runs in the genes. She is clearly drawn to trying to assist people in need and find it very rewarding when a difference can be made in someone’s life.
Board of Directors
Taking care of individuals limited by disabling deformity in our international communities is not only a privilege but our obligation.
Dr. Lee McCluskey
Chair of the Board
Dr. Leland McCluskey is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon in Columbus, Georgia at the St Francis Orthopaedic Institute. He trained at Tulane University (Orthopaedics) and the Medical College of Wisconsin as a foot/ankle fellow under John Gould. He is a past president of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society. Dr. McCluskey has served with the World Medical Mission as a short term volunteer to Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Honduras, and Guatemala. He also has participated in disaster relief following the earthquakes in Haiti, Nepal and Ecuador with Samaritans Purse. Medical missions has been a real passion for him and his family over the past 13 years.
Dr. San Giovanni
Vice Chair of the Board
Thomas San Giovanni, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon internationally recognized as a leader and pioneer in the field of foot and ankle sports medicine, trauma and reconstructive surgery. He is highly regarded for his expertise in sports medicine conditions of the foot and ankle and is sought out by many professional, collegiate and Olympic athletes for treatment. Dr San Giovanni is regarded by colleagues and industry as a truly innovative designer and he has designed numerous orthopaedic implants, devices and instrumentation to advance surgical techniques which are presently being used worldwide. He is passionate about expanding the education and technical skill of surgeons nationally and internationally and is a founder of the Miami Anatomical Research Center, also known as the MARC Institute – the largest independently run surgical cadaver training facility in the world.
Dr. San Giovanni is presently an associate professor within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Florida International University and remains active in academic medicine and research. He is the program director of the Foot and Ankle surgical fellowship at Miami Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute and has served in the past as clinical faculty for the University of Miami medical school orthopaedic residency program.
Carl Jarboe
Legal Counsel
Carl Jarboe is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, providing sound advice in business, probate, governmental, individual, and criminal matters. Carl has continued to serve as the elected Municipal Judge for the City of Grosse Pointe Park for over twenty-two years. Carl’s successful trial and appellate experience has been earned at all levels of the Michigan and federal court systems and in courtrooms in other states. He drafts, negotiates, and enforces agreements for businesses, public entities, and individuals. Carl has been recognized by his peers as a Top Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Preeminent Attorney.
Dennis Stripe
Director of Governance
Mr. Dennis Stripe has almost 40 years of experience from various positions in management, sales and marketing on a global basis. When joining Kendall Healthcare Products in 1983, Mr. Stripe started a career within the healthcare industry lasting 33 years. In 1991, Mr. Stripe joined Smith & Nephew as a Senior Product Manager. During his time at Smith & Nephew, Mr. Stripe held various senior positions with Marketing, ending as a Group Marketing Director within the Orthopedic Division. Following a successful career at Smith & Nephew, Mr. Stripe joined the Spine Division of Stryker Corporation in 1996 and remained there until 2008. At Stryker Corporation, Mr. Stripe held several senior management roles on a global basis, including the Vice President of Global Marketing. In 2008, Mr. Stripe joined OrthoHelix Surgical Designs, a medical technology company focusing on implants and instruments for reconstruction surgery. Mr Stripe remained at OrthoHelix Surgical Designs until 2013 and served as Chief Executive Officer and as member of the Board of Directors for five years. OrthoHelix Surgical Designs was ultimately sold to Nasdaq listed company Tornier N.V., a transaction led by Mr. Stripe. Mr. Stripe is currently a key executive of California based Compliant Innovations, a company focusing on software solutions for the healthcare industry, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Central-Insurance Companies and Medshape.
Matthew Wahler
Treasurer
Matthew Wahler is a Certified Public Accountant who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from Baruch College in New York City. He provides tax compliance, advisory and consulting services for estates, trusts, tax-exempt organizations and high-net-worth individuals. Specifically, Matthew assists and advises executors and trustees with administration issues, including tax compliance, asset transfers and funding trusts. He helps his clients understand trust provisions, the role of a fiduciary and the tax implications of trust transactions.
Gloria Barbier
Past Chair of the Board
As a Principal of Financial and Charitable Planning and International Planning at PCG/Private Client Group, AXA Advisors, LLC in Miami, FL, Gloria Barbier uses her diverse background to assist individuals, families and businesses to develop and implement financial strategies. Her responsibilities include consultative planning development with a particular focus on portfolio construction, charitable planning and retirement implementation for professionals and women business owners. She currently leads the Women’s Marketing Group for AXA Advisors, LLC in Miami. Prior to joining PCG/Private Client Group, Gloria acquired over 25 years of experience in senior national and international management capacities, including Forfeit-Financing Director for Irving Trust, Development Director at UNICEF LAC, where she lead the development and funding of small enterprises for women, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Camillus House, and Executive Director at World Vision. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French and has dealt with Fortune 500 companies throughout the U.S. and Latin America. She was Gloria received her B.A. in Economics from Universidad del Rosario– Bogota, Colombia and her M.B.A. in Business Administration from University of Los Andes – Bogota, Colombia. She also completed her Master of International Management (M.I.M.) from University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. She has received certificates in Marketing from Kellogg School of Business, Wealth Management Strategies from AXA Institute at Harvard University and recently was awarded the title of Retirement Planning Specialist from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Gloria is a previous board member of the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, co-founder of PhilanthroGuia, past treasurer of Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, past committee chair of St. Hughes Steinway Concerts, member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Gloria supports the American Red Cross, Lotus House, Asociacion Emergencia Ayacucho, American Cancer Society, Fundacion de Parques Nacionales de Colombia and the YWCA of South Florida. She was the recipient of the Thelma Gibson Award of Excellence, the Determination Award from the Miami Women Who Rock, the Volunteer of the Year from the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership Series Award from Miami-Dade County Public School, Regio IV, and a finalist for the AXA Business Women of the Year award. When not at work, Gloria enjoys teaching about business and finance to women, dancing, music, snow skiing and yoga.
Dr. Pepper Toomey
Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Pepper Toomey has had an illustrious career as an orthopedic surgeon in Seattle. He graduated from the Mayo Clinic School of Orthopedics and began his work in Wenatchee, WA where he became the chief of staff. He since moved to Seattle where he worked at Swedish hospital, and was the Chairman of the Orthopedic practice. He is the recipient of prestigious and honorary awards including the Nordstrom award for recognition of his work as a teacher and educator. He currently is the director of a successful consulting organization and has immense organizational skill with respect to business management.
Bruce Thompson
Member
Bruce Thompson has spent his career in the orthopedic medical device industry and is currently a senior executive within Exactech, Inc, a full-line Orthopedic company focused on bringing innovative product solutions to Orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of osteoarthritis. He has been with the company for 17 years and is currently the Sr Vice President – International Sales and Business Development. Prior to Exactech, Bruce spent 23 years and held numerous positions with Smith & Nephew, Inc – also focused on orthopedic implants. After holding management positions in finance, manufacturing, marketing and sales management, Bruce has served in several general management positions within these two companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Miami University of Ohio and an Executive MBA degree from the University of Memphis.
Brenda Massey
Member
Brenda is a retired baccalaureate registered nurse who has held a passion throughout her life for assisting those that life has treated unfairly and giving them a helping hand. Several years ago, she had the honor of serving as a co-president of her local United Methodist Women’s Group. She stepped into this role for a year to ensure the preservation of this historical charity. UMW for many years has been the largest organization for helping women and children. They, like Steps2Walk, will buy women in underprivileged countries a cow instead of milk. They even loan these women money to start their own small businesses. Brenda expresses her good fortune of participating on mission trips to Columbia, Kenya and several trips to Tanzania. Brenda’s grandmother also dedicated her life assisting missionaries. Brenda believe that her passion for helping others runs in the genes. She is clearly drawn to trying to assist people in need and find it very rewarding when a difference can be made in someone’s life.
Board of Directors
Taking care of individuals limited by disabling deformity in our international communities is not only a privilege but our obligation.
Dr. Mark Myerson is the Medical Director of The Foot and Ankle Association Inc. An internationally recognized leader in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, he was Past President of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. He is a consultant to the orthopaedic industry, an honorary member of numerous international orthopaedic societies and plays an active role in defining national standards for orthopaedic foot and ankle practice. Dr. Myerson has authored more than 300 research publications as well as six textbooks covering various treatments of foot and ankle conditions, and is a frequently invited guest speaker, giving professional talks around the globe as consultant and educator. Dr. Myerson travels frequently around the world as part of humanitarian programs for underprivileged and disabled citizens with deformities, simultaneously teaching and enabling surgeons in those countries to continue care of these patients.
As a Principal of Financial and Charitable Planning and International Planning at PCG/Private Client Group, AXA Advisors, LLC in Miami, FL, Gloria Barbier uses her diverse background to assist individuals, families and businesses to develop and implement financial strategies. Her responsibilities include consultative planning development with a particular focus on portfolio construction, charitable planning and retirement implementation for professionals and women business owners. She currently leads the Women’s Marketing Group for AXA Advisors, LLC in Miami. Prior to joining PCG/Private Client Group, Gloria acquired over 25 years of experience in senior national and international management capacities, including Forfeit-Financing Director for Irving Trust, Development Director at UNICEF LAC, where she lead the development and funding of small enterprises for women, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Camillus House, and Executive Director at World Vision. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French and has dealt with Fortune 500 companies throughout the U.S. and Latin America. She was Gloria received her B.A. in Economics from Universidad del Rosario– Bogota, Colombia and her M.B.A. in Business Administration from University of Los Andes – Bogota, Colombia. She also completed her Master of International Management (M.I.M.) from University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. She has received certificates in Marketing from Kellogg School of Business, Wealth Management Strategies from AXA Institute at Harvard University and recently was awarded the title of Retirement Planning Specialist from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Gloria is a previous board member of the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, co-founder of PhilanthroGuia, past treasurer of Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, past committee chair of St. Hughes Steinway Concerts, member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Gloria supports the American Red Cross, Lotus House, Asociacion Emergencia Ayacucho, American Cancer Society, Fundacion de Parques Nacionales de Colombia and the YWCA of South Florida. She was the recipient of the Thelma Gibson Award of Excellence, the Determination Award from the Miami Women Who Rock, the Volunteer of the Year from the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership Series Award from Miami-Dade County Public School, Regio IV, and a finalist for the AXA Business Women of the Year award. When not at work, Gloria enjoys teaching about business and finance to women, dancing, music, snow skiing and yoga.
Thomas San Giovanni, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon internationally recognized as a leader and pioneer in the field of foot and ankle sports medicine, trauma and reconstructive surgery. He is highly regarded for his expertise in sports medicine conditions of the foot and ankle and is sought out by many professional, collegiate and Olympic athletes for treatment. Dr San Giovanni is regarded by colleagues and industry as a truly innovative designer and he has designed numerous orthopaedic implants, devices and instrumentation to advance surgical techniques which are presently being used worldwide. He is passionate about expanding the education and technical skill of surgeons nationally and internationally and is a founder of the Miami Anatomical Research Center, also known as the MARC Institute – the largest independently run surgical cadaver training facility in the world.
Dr. San Giovanni is presently an associate professor within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Florida International University and remains active in academic medicine and research. He is the program director of the Foot and Ankle surgical fellowship at Miami Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute and has served in the past as clinical faculty for the University of Miami medical school orthopaedic residency program.
International Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Caio Nery
Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Federal University of São Paulo.
Dr. Cristian Ortiz
Director of the Foot and Ankle Fellowship program at the Clinica Alemana and Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile.
Dr. Gaston Slullitel
A consultant and a Board member of the Argentine Orthopaedic Association and a Board member of the Argentine Foot and Ankle Society.
Dr. Jacques Jonck
Dr. Maryse Bouchard
She established a limb reconstruction and lengthening program, treats children with skeletal dysplasias and arthrogryposis.
Dr. Naren Gurbani
Dr. Raheel Shariff
Consultant Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon and Orthopaedic Residency Training Program Director at the International Medical Centre, Jeddah.
Dr. Andrea Veljkovic
Currently serves as the research director of the UBC orthopaedic program, and as the adult foot and ankle fellowship director.
Dr. Federico Usuelli
He has been responsible for “C.A.S.C.O.” from the I.R.C.C.S.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute of Milan, for foot and ankle surgery.
Dr. Mingzhu Zhang
Became associate Professor and Attending surgeon in Department of Foot and Ankle, one of the best foot ankle surgery center in China.
