Los Angeles, CA -?The Discovery Eye Foundation (DEF) is pleased to announce Roni Leiderman, Ph.D., and Barry Smooke as the newest members of its Board of Directors.
Roni Leiderman has a lengthy relationship with DEF. After her son was diagnosed with keratoconus, Dr. Leiderman joined the Board of Directors of the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF), an outreach program of DEF, serving as chairperson for the organization?s fundraising program: Friends of Vision.
Dr. Leiderman is the Associate Dean of the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies in Nova Southeastern University. She is responsible for the Parenting Place, a model research and demonstration center and the nation’s largest early childhood and parenting program; the Unicorn Children’s Clinic; the Baudhuin School for preschool children with autism; and research and training.
A nationally recognized developmental psychologist, educator, speaker and consultant specializing in child development, early brain development, relationships, work/family issues and parenting, Dr. Leiderman is also a licensed Supreme Court mediator specializing in families and children. She has educated and informed countless audiences as a spokesperson and keynote speaker, and writes for professional journals, magazines and newspapers and showcases her expertise on radio and television programming.
Dr. Leiderman has been honored for her unceasing dedication to others. She is the recipient of the Weitzmann Foundation Woman of Vision Award for Science and Research, the Price Waterhouse Up and Comer’s Award, Who’s Who in National and International Education, the President’s Faculty Scholarship Award, and the Crystal Communicator Award for excellence in children’s television programming.
Barry Smooke is a new friend of the Discovery Eye Foundation. He has friends and relatives who have had eye problems, and he first learned about DEF through his ophthalmologist ? Dr. Anthony Nesburn.
Mr. Smooke became interested in being a member of the Board of Directors when he was familiarized with DEF?s plan for growth and development, and the Board?s plan to expand the Foundation?s influence in the arena of eye disease research.
A native of Southern California by birth, Mr. Smooke is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
That degree has been put to good use throughout his career, which has included positions in manufacturing, real estate development and industrial real estate management. At this time, Mr. Smooke is a retired partner at Wellman and Souvenir Properties where he developed and managed industrial real estate.
An avid art collector and a strong supporter of a variety of museums and art institutes, Mr. Smooke is actively involved with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. He is also a member of the National Council of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.
Mr. Smooke and his wife, Julie, have three children and eight grandchildren.