Our CEO, Robert J. Riggs
Robert J. Riggs has a history of involvement with the Scleroderma Foundation dating back to 1995 when he was hired as the director of communications for the California-based United Scleroderma Foundation, a forerunner to the current organization. Three months into his tenure, Riggs was promoted to executive director where he spearheaded efforts to enhance awareness and fundraising that resulted in the organization’s largest-ever increases in revenue and membership. Together with the USF board, Riggs played an instrumental role in the negotiations and planning that successfully brought about the merger between the United Scleroderma Foundation and the Scleroderma Federation, thus creating the current Massachusetts-based Scleroderma Foundation. He joined the staff of the newly-created Scleroderma Foundation in 1998 as its director of development and within a year was appointed interim executive director.
He resigned his position with the Foundation to pursue an opportunity in medical and pharmaceutical public relations in New York City, but remained active in the Foundation as a member of its national Development, Communications and Chapter Relations committees. In 2001, he was asked to join the Scleroderma Foundation’s National Board of Directors, where he served two terms, including leadership positions on the Executive Committee and as chairperson of the Communications Committee. At the end of his service as a director, the Board invited him to take the position of chief development officer, which he assumed in January 2007. In September 2009, the Foundation’s Board of Directors appointed him to serve as the organization’s chief executive officer.
Beyond his work with the Scleroderma Foundation, he has held leadership positions in public relations, corporate communications, fund development, and organizational management.
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