Melissa Yeager, co-founder and executive director of Claire’s Place Foundation, never stops fighting for the cystic fibrosis (CF) community. She co-founded the foundation with her daughter Claire Wineland, who at the time was just thir-teen and coming out of a coma. Claire – an activist, speaker, philanthropist and author – lived with CF her entire life – a rare, chronic and life-limiting genetic disease. The nonprofit organization provides heartfelt support to the families of children and to individuals diagnosed with CF by working to heighten awareness and provide education, skills and financial and emotional support. As executive director and board member, Yeager works diligently with the board of directors. She is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of upholding its mission and financial objectives. However, the most rewarding function of her job, she says, is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of families and children living with CF. She works every day to ensure no parent should have to decide between work and being by their child’s side during hospital stays. Recently, Yeager founded the Claire’s Place Foundation “Work Proudly Program.” The program helps CF patients and caregivers navigate proudly through a fulfilling career by providing job identification, training and equipment needed for work-from-home employ-ment to adults with CF and CF caregivers. The program helps participants gain the skills to be competitive in the job market and acquire flexible, remote employment or hospital employment.
