About Us

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Born and raised in California, Neda Gappy-Cortez holds a deep love for her home state and the communities within it. Coming from a large and diverse family grounded in strong cultural values and faith, she was raised with a deep commitment to service and compassion. Helping others, especially within her local community and throughout Cali

Born and raised in California, Neda Gappy-Cortez holds a deep love for her home state and the communities within it. Coming from a large and diverse family grounded in strong cultural values and faith, she was raised with a deep commitment to service and compassion. Helping others, especially within her local community and throughout California, has always been central to who she is.

Lupus has touched Neda’s life personally through family members and friends living with this complex autoimmune disease. Witnessing their strength and resilience has fueled her passion for advocacy and support. She believes that awareness is essential - bringing visibility, education, and a human face to lupus is how progress begins. She remains hopeful and prayerful for brighter days ahead for all lupus patients.

For more than 20 years, Neda has served as a dedicated volunteer and Board Member with lupus focused nonprofit organizations. In 2026, she proudly stepped into the role of President of the California Lupus Foundation. In this position, she is committed to strengthening partnerships, expanding outreach and education, and collaborating with organizations across the country that are focused on lupus research and awareness with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. 

With a finance background spanning treasury operations, FX risk management, and corporate real estate, I bring a strong focus on financial oversight and process improvement to my role as Treasurer. I currently manage capital projects for a multinational tech firm, ensuring strategic use of funds and successful project delivery.

A U.S. Air 

With a finance background spanning treasury operations, FX risk management, and corporate real estate, I bring a strong focus on financial oversight and process improvement to my role as Treasurer. I currently manage capital projects for a multinational tech firm, ensuring strategic use of funds and successful project delivery.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, I value integrity, service, and excellence. I’ve previously served as Treasurer for several nonprofits, including a PTA and a career technical education foundation. I’m committed to advancing the Lupus Foundation’s mission through sound financial management and long-term success.

Outside of work, I volunteer as a river guide and enjoy running, cycling, and cooking with friends. 

EMMITT HENDERSON III, a passionate advocate and educator, is the founder and driving force behind Male Lupus Warriors. Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 1995, Emmitt's journey with the disease began much earlier, with undiagnosed symptoms as a child. Throughout his life, Emmitt has faced numerous health battles, including che

EMMITT HENDERSON III, a passionate advocate and educator, is the founder and driving force behind Male Lupus Warriors. Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 1995, Emmitt's journey with the disease began much earlier, with undiagnosed symptoms as a child. Throughout his life, Emmitt has faced numerous health battles, including chemotherapy, radiation treatments, a kidney transplant, multiple organ failures, joint replacements and a series of hospitalizations due to Lupus-related complications. Despite these challenges, he has remained active and his experiences have fueled his passion for advocacy and education.

Steven Javinsky joined the California Lupus Foundation Board in 2026.   Steven brings a wealth of accounting and finance experience to his role on the Board.   Steven graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting.  Steven has over 30 years of experience and currently a partner at KPMG LLP sp

Steven Javinsky joined the California Lupus Foundation Board in 2026.   Steven brings a wealth of accounting and finance experience to his role on the Board.   Steven graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting.  Steven has over 30 years of experience and currently a partner at KPMG LLP specializing in corporate tax.

Steven is excited about the opportunity to use his board presence to make a positive impact to the Lupus community as someone in his immediate family has Lupus.

Ricki Joshi is a holistic health practitioner, educator, and published co-author of Transforming Pain into Purpose. She is also the founder of S3VA, a service-based platform devoted to empowering individuals through integrative, whole-person healing.

Ricki brings to the board of the California Lupus Foundation both lived experience and dee

Ricki Joshi is a holistic health practitioner, educator, and published co-author of Transforming Pain into Purpose. She is also the founder of S3VA, a service-based platform devoted to empowering individuals through integrative, whole-person healing.

Ricki brings to the board of the California Lupus Foundation both lived experience and deep compassion. Over a decade ago, she was diagnosed with systemic lupus (SLE) and hospitalized for two months. 

Ricki is deeply aligned with the Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for people living with lupus through education, advocacy, and loving support. 

The mission of CLF has been a part of my family’s for over three decades, when my identical twin sister was first diagnosed with lupus. While the landscape for SLE patients has improved, more can be done to provide hope for a cure and achieve best practices in supporting patients and their families. This is the main reason I’m serving on 

The mission of CLF has been a part of my family’s for over three decades, when my identical twin sister was first diagnosed with lupus. While the landscape for SLE patients has improved, more can be done to provide hope for a cure and achieve best practices in supporting patients and their families. This is the main reason I’m serving on the CLF board to help drive the mission forward while utilizing my experience and passion for the patients. 

Elizabeth Savage leads the California Lupus Foundation with a mission that is both professional and deeply personal. She has watched family members navigate life with lupus, and witnessed her aunt endure years of unexplained illness before finally receiving a diagnosis — only for the disease to have already taken an irreversible toll.

That

Elizabeth Savage leads the California Lupus Foundation with a mission that is both professional and deeply personal. She has watched family members navigate life with lupus, and witnessed her aunt endure years of unexplained illness before finally receiving a diagnosis — only for the disease to have already taken an irreversible toll.

That loss shapes everything Elizabeth does, and fuels her conviction that no one should have to fight to be seen, believed, or heard while living with lupus.

Though lupus remains widely misunderstood, Elizabeth is driven by what’s possible: with earlier diagnosis, stronger awareness, and sustained support, patients today are not just managing the disease — they’re thriving. She brings that sense of urgency and hope to her work every day.

Before joining the nonprofit sector, Elizabeth built a distinguished career in financial services, holding senior leadership roles in regulatory compliance, risk management, and corporate governance. Her experience spans commercial and international banking, anti-money laundering, portfolio risk management, and mergers and acquisitions. She brings that same rigor and operational discipline to the Foundation — strengthening its impact, transparency, and long-term sustainability for the lupus community across California.