Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Appoints New President and CEO

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, recently announced that Gina Ross Murdoch has been named the association’s new president and CEO.

Ms. Murdoch is now the MSAA’s leader in areas comprising strategic progress, programmatic growth, and business development strategies. She brings to the organization a large base of nonprofit know-how in areas such as program development, fundraising, and strategic planning, all skills fundamental to advancing MSAA efforts to improve the lives of MS patients through vital services and support.

Ms. Murdoch served as deputy executive director of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) New Jersey Chapter, where she was responsible for donor development as well as corporate relationship-building. Earlier, she was the executive director of the American Diabetes Association’s  Greater New York City market. She also served as the executive vice president of development for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s (NMSS) New Jersey Metro Chapter, responsible for strategic development initiatives, and she considerably increased the chapter’s event income and created substantial corporate support.

The MSAA’s chairman of the Board of Directors, James Anderson, said in a press release, “We are very excited to have Gina Murdoch join MSAA as its new President & CEO. Her experience in past leadership roles coupled with her enthusiasm for MSAA’s mission are critical to its continuing success, and we are so fortunate to have found such a passionate and visionary leader.”

Ms. Murdoch is dedicated to assisting the MS community and is enthusiastic to bring her knowledge to a cause that affects so many people. “I am thrilled and honored to be joining the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America in this role. MSAA has demonstrated a nationwide singular focus in identifying the needs of those affected by MS, being proactive in addressing those needs and taking a leadership role in building coalitions aimed at improving lives.  I am looking forward to working with the board, staff, clients and partners to expand our reach and increase our impact,” she said.

After 16 years serving as president & CEO of the organization, Douglas Franklin has retired. Through the MSAA’s programs and services, Mr. Franklin worked to help tens of thousands of MS sufferers. For the past two years, he has been assisting the MMSA’s Board of Directors in this transition. For nine years, Mr. Franklin also worked as president of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition.