Board of Directors

Michael Veloric

Chair

Michael Veloric is a global investor, business adviser and social changemaker in global health, finance, and higher education.

The child of a multi-generational entrepreneurial family, Veloric is a multi-dimensional leader and businessman with decades of experience investing, running, and turning around both for-profit companies and not-for-profits.

He currently is the President of Veloric Holdings, the Veloric family office and invests in ventures worldwide in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.

Veloric began his career in 1979 in hospital administration with the U.S. Veteran’s Administration at the Philadelphia VA Hospital before being called to help with the family business. In 1981, he joined Geriatric & Medical Companies, a publicly traded diversified long-term health care company, started by his father. There, he held various senior management, development, and operational positions in the company. He also served as a member of Geriatric & Medical Companies Board of Directors, playing a key leadership role in the expansion of the healthcare company before it was acquired.

In the subsequent years, Veloric has continued his work in business and healthcare worlds as a mentor supporting entrepreneurs and helping provide proven business practices into not-for profit organizations.

Veloric is on the board and chairs the investment committee of the American Technion Society (ATS), a New York-based non-profit supporting the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. He was appointed in 2023 as an alternate member to the Technion Board of Governors. The Technion is a pioneer in science and technology education and has a presence on three continents: Haifa, Israel, New York City and Shantou, China. The Technion’s unique focus on interdisciplinary education challenges students to think differently about the world’s problems, preparing students to become the next generation of global innovators.

He is the cofounder and an advisor to The Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship at the American University.

He serves on the board of the Global Interdependence Center (GIC), a non-partisan, non-profit seeking to positively impact world policies and promote social stewardship through cooperative, international engagement among diverse thought leaders. In addition, the GIC’s College of Central Bankers program is a global forum for former central bank presidents, governors or leaders to share their insights on critical issues facing central banking and global monetary policy.

Veloric is a 1978 graduate of Drew University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Administration from Temple University in 1980.

Krystal Dillard

Vice Chair

Coming soon.

Tonya Zweier

Treasurer

Coming soon.

Lisa Formica

Secretary

Lisa’s curiosity, extensive industry knowledge, and leadership have earned her a stellar reputation within her industry. She brings the same enthusiasm and spirit of inquisitiveness to CFR, which often opens new avenues for the organization.

Lisa Formica is a partner of FMI Complete Mail Solutions, a firm that specializes in direct marketing production solutions. Lisa’s hands-on experience in client services, data processing, sales, and production has equipped her with a unique insight and the ability to help clients optimize their marketing plans.

Lisa has published articles on social media and other innovative marketing techniques and is always on the cutting edge of researching new developments in technology and marketing concepts and how they might apply to her peers and clients. She has also presented on these same subjects at the Union League of Philadelphia and the National Postal Forum.

Lisa attended art school at Parson’s School of Design in New York, graduated with a degree in Communications from Temple University, and received an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University. More recently, Lisa received a certificate in Behavioral Economics from the Chicago School of Psychology. Lisa brings her various skills and talents to her volunteer work. She is a past President and Chairman of the Philly DMA Board of Directors. Lisa was also a member of the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) board of trustees and is currently Industry Chairperson for the Greater Philadelphia Postal Customer Council, and serves on the board of the Council for Relationships (CFR).

James Ask

Coming soon.

Lloyd Bashkin

Every world-class athlete and leader has a top consultant or coach. As a consultant for over 25 years, my passion is to help small and mid-sized businesses achieve game-changing success.

Teaching, Education & Experience

• Taught in the MBA programs at Drexel and Temple Universities including the Capstone Course
• Corporate Strategy Consultant at RCA [Fortune 20 acquired by GE] advising division CEOs at Hertz, RCA Records, RCA Broadcast and RCA Service [largest service company in USA]
• Post-graduate Organizational Psychology, Columbia University
• MBA Marketing, Syracuse University
• BS Finance Syracuse University

Bridgett Battles

With a presence and a passion that is larger than life, Bridgett Battles is a woman whose purpose knows no bounds. While she holds several professional titles, she is known for an immeasurable impact that cannot be defined. From transforming the images of highly successful women to igniting stages as a speaker, Bridgett immediately elevates every space—and life—that she steps into.

As the executive presence strategist for executives and CEOs, Bridgett shows women how to develop a powerful presence. With an unmatched gift for introducing women to their highest potential, she has helped dozens of women to identify their signature style, which in turn, translates into their substantial income. Once Bridgett helps a woman to define her disruptive edge, her confidence skyrockets—and so does her bank account. Masterful at what she does, Bridgett can teach any woman to command a room with a feminine fierceness that leaves a mark on every room she enters.

Edward Blumstein

Coming soon.

Jim Carino

Jim is the Vice President, Healthcare for Strata Decision Technology. He leads their data and intelligence field organization. Jim has 39 years of experience in healthcare analytics in sales management, client management, strategy, and organization leadership.

What year did you join CFR’s Board of Directors?
2011

Education
BA Political Science, Colgate University MBA in Finance, Drexel University Wharton Executive Leadership Program

Claudia Curry, Ed.D.

Dr. Curry is an innovative, results driven professional and educator with proven success in leading and executing initiatives from concept design to implementation. Prior to her retirement in 2021, she served nearly 20 years as Founding Director of the Community College of Philadelphia Women’s Outreach and Advocacy Center where she provided leadership in the development of programs that addressed the interests and concerns of women students and secured funding for student-focused initiatives. Claudia also served as Founding Director of the Urban League of Philadelphia Leadership Institute that graduated nearly 500 minority leaders during her 12-year tenure. She is an adjunct instructor with experience teaching Business and Professional Communications, Introduction to Leadership Studies, Leadership for Effective Organizations, and Leading Culturally and Generationally Diverse Populations.

Dr. Curry is a published author and the recipient of numerous awards that include the NAACP’s 100 Influential Black Women in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania College Personnel Association’s Outstanding Contribution to the Profession. She is featured in the 2020 publication titled, They Carried Us: The Social Impact of Philadelphia’s Black Women Leaders (Amazon.com). She serves on the board of directors of WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence and the Peirce College Graduate Studies Advisory Board.

Dr. Curry holds a Doctor of Education in Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and an MBA from Eastern University. She is an active member of the National Association of University Women’s Philadelphia Branch and the Black Women’s Educational Alliance. Dr. Curry is an accomplished thespian and classical singer. She is deeply honored to serve on the board of directors at Council for Relationships and looks forward to supporting its growth and impact in the Philadelphia region.

Bob Dever

Coming soon.

Jennifer Kelly

Coming soon.

Stanley Muravchick, MD, PhD

Stanley Muravchick, MD, PhD, retired from a career in academic medicine where he was a clinician, educator, author, and scientist. He contributes first-hand knowledge of healthcare delivery, medical education, administration, and governance to his service as a CFR Director. His passion for, and commitment to, the mission of CFR began more than a decade ago as a result of personal experience with the excellence of CFR therapeutic services. Currently Chair of the Board Governance Committee, he has previously served in many other Board leadership roles.

Gary D. Williams Sr.

Dr. Williams has extensive experience in executive leadership with particular expertise in organizational development and professional coaching.

Dr. Williams serves as Deputy Commissioner for Juvenile Justice Services (JJS) with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services. He provides executive leadership over the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Service Center (PJJSC) and a continuum of community based programs.

Dr. Williams resides in Philadelphia, PA, and has worked in Child Welfare for over 25 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice at Lincoln University and a Master of Science degree in Social Work at Temple University. He went on to earn his Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Eastern University.

Dr. Williams founded Johanna’s Educational and Counseling Center and has acquired specialized skills in couples counseling and coaching.

Jackie Zavitz

Jackie Zavitz is the partner-in-charge of Heidrick & Struggles’ Philadelphia office and a member of the Social Impact Practice. She focuses on searches for leadership transitions in higher education, non-profit organizations, foundations, and corporate clients.

Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Jackie was a principal in the global educational practice with another executive search firm. Before her career in executive search, she spent eight years at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she held senior roles in the administration, including as a senior member of the MBA Admissions Committee. Jackie developed and spearheaded several successful initiatives to expand the school’s admissions into new international markets and industries. Jackie later served as chief of staff to the deputy dean of the school. She started her career with the Electric Power Supply Association where she did regulatory lobbying.

Jackie serves on the board of the Council for Relationships, a non-profit organization that provides relationship counseling and clinical training in the Philadelphia area. Jackie received The Forum Award for Emerging Women Leaders awarded by The Forum of Executive Women in Philadelphia.

Jackie earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the American University in Washington, DC.