Lynn Shapiro Snyder

WBL Founder and President, and National Health Care Practice Leader

Lynn Shapiro Snyder, Esq.  is the Founder and President of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation (“WBL Foundation”), an organization meeting the needs of more than 1,800 senior executive women and women board members worldwide who do business with the U.S. health care industry.  Ms. Snyder founded this non-profit organization in 2001, along with the support of founding sponsor Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.  The Foundation’s mission – to help senior executive women from the health care industry improve their businesses and continue to grow professionally – has led Snyder and the WBL Foundation to assist with many corporate board searches, and the WBL Foundation has successfully placed WBL Foundation Associates on corporate boards.

Ms. Snyder’s role as Founder of the WBL Foundation has earned her national media attention.  In 2007, she was named a “Woman to Watch” by Jewish Women International.  In August 2002, Modern Healthcare magazine named Ms. Snyder as one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” in its inaugural list.  In April 2005, Modern Healthcare magazine named Ms. Snyder as one of the “Top 25 Women in Healthcare.”  She is a nationally recognized speaker on the topics of gender diversity and the corporate boardroom, and she also the author of Advancing Women in Business: 10 Best Practices – a mentoring resource for women at all stages of their careers.

In addition to founding the WBL Foundation, Ms. Snyder is nationally recognized in her role as a senior member of the law firm, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., where she serves on the firm’s Board and Finance Committee.  The law firm has one of the largest health care and life sciences practices in the United States, and Snyder has almost thirty years of experience at the firm advising clients about federal, state and international health law issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, compliance and managed care issues.  Her clients include health care providers, payors, pharmaceutical/device manufacturers and those companies and financial services firms that support the health care industry.  For more information on Lynn Shapiro Snyder’s legal practice, see her full Epstein Becker & Green biography.

Ms. Snyder serves on a number of corporate boards and advisory boards; she is a board member of Trustmark Mutual Insurance Company and a board member of the Maryland Israel Development Center.  She earned a B.A. in Economics from Franklin & Marshall College in 1976 and her J.D. from the George Washington University National Law Center in 1979. On a more personal note, Ms. Snyder is married to Jeffrey M. Snyder and has three children, Rachel, Isaac and Eitan.  She resides in the Washington, D.C. area.

Eleanor R. Whitley

Executive Director

Eleanor Whitley is the Executive Director of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation based in Washington, D.C.  She is responsible for the day to day operations of the organization, sponsorship, and WBL's corporate governance-related initiatives, such as working with board search firms and other individuals to seek out corporate board opportunities for WBL’s Foundation Associates.  Ms. Whitley also handles the general aspects of the Foundation’s operation, such as the organization’s financial statements and the WBL publications.

Ms. Whitley joined the Foundation staff in 2004 as a Research Assistant.  She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia where she graduated with Honors.  She enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with her family.

Lauren Joyner

Meeting and Event Manager

Lauren Joyner is the Marketing and Events Manager of the WBL team, responsible for planning, budgeting, and executing the organization's successful events.  Ms. Joyner joined the foundation in 2010.  She is originally from North Carolina, where she received her B.A. in Romance Languages at UNC-Chapel Hill.  In 2011, she received her Master’s of Tourism Administration degree from The George Washington University.  In her free time she enjoys traveling, exploring DC, entertaining, and foreign film.

Mary Prendergast

Strategic Relations Coordinator

Mary Prendergast is the Strategic Relations Coordinator of the WBL team. She is primarily responsible for introducing new members to WBL, and keeping current members involved and apprised of WBL’s various activities.  She is also responsible for distributing a quarterly email announcing promotions, job changes, new board positions, and awards achieved by members. It is Mary’s goal to create an environment where all WBL members have the resources they need to connect with each other and benefit from professional growth opportunities.

Ms. Prendergast joined the Foundation in 2011.  She received a B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, doing yoga and painting.

Ashley Harris

Office Assistant

Ashley Harris is the office assistant for the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation based in Washington, D.C. She provides support for the WBL team, which includes updating and maintaining the database and the website. Prior to joining the WBL Foundation in September, 2010, Ashley was an Account Coordinator for Science and Medicine in New York. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Egyptology from Brown University, where she graduated with honors, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Museum Studies at George Washington University. She enjoys traveling, reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.