Gary G. Godsey, President and Chief Executive Officer
Gary G. Godsey served as president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) for eleven years, (2000-June 2011) after a very successful career as president of United Way/Capital Area Austin, Texas. During Godsey's tenure in Dallas, he initiated a successful capital campaign to raise $15 million for a new office building, integrated a regional approach so the organization could impact four counties directly, and has transformed the organization to be more community focused rather than fundraising centered. In addition, he has realigned the Board of Directors structure so the policy-making body is more efficient and effective and he created a Chief Ethics Officer to serve on UWMD's Ethics and Audit Committee
Godsey's vision for United Way was to build a track record of successful, measurable results and long term solutions in the impact areas of Education, Income and Health - the building blocks of a good life - by working more collaboratively with other organizations and institutions in North Texas. Godsey believed this strategy was necessary to ensure every donor's gift to United Way was the most effective, leveraged philanthropic contribution they could make in their community.
Godsey was also an integral part of the United Way system on the state and national level. In May, 2009 he co-chaired the United Way of America Staff Leaders Conference. During his United Way tenure, Godsey served as a member of the United Way of America Membership Committee. In 2007 Godsey served as chair of United Way of America's National Professional Council. In 2006 he served as chair of the United Way of Texas board, the first United Way staff member to serve in this capacity. In Dallas, Gary also currently serves on the Business Leaders Council for Grant Thornton.
Godsey began his career with the United Way system in 1982 as executive director of the United Way in Johnson City, Tennessee. He relocated to Austin in 1992 from Anderson, South Carolina where he served as president and chief professional officer for Foothills United Way. Gary began his life-long career in the nonprofit sector when he was hired as executive director of the American Cancer Society, Middle Tennessee upon graduation from college. During Godsey's 32 year career, he has been responsible for raising more than 700 million dollars.
With his extensive knowledge of non-profit management, Godsey currently consults with numerous non-profit organizations around the country. He is also a contributing columnist for Smart Business Magazine, where he writes on leadership issues.
Gary earned a bachelor's degree in Health from Tennessee Tech University.
Jill Panetta, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer
Jill Panetta, PhD, began leading the PKD Foundation’s translational drug discovery efforts in May 2010 as Chief Scientific Officer, a new role aimed at turning the PKD basic science into Clinical advances. Dr. Panetta is co-founder and former Chief Scientific Officer of Innocentive, a web-based community matching scientists to research and development challenges presented by organizations worldwide.
Dr. Panetta also has more than 20 years in drug discovery research at Eli Lilly and Company, where she worked as a senior research scientist and Group Leader in drug discovery. Her early research efforts have led to the discovery of two clinical candidates: tibenelast for asthma and tazofelone for inflammatory bowel disease. Her more recent research efforts have focused on neuroprotection with an emphasis on stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease. In 1997, Dr. Panetta moved on to lead and execute the research strategy for the newly-founded Lilly Centre for Women's Health (LCWH) at Eli Lilly and Company.
Dr. Panetta is the author of more than 88 publications and abstracts, has given over 60 invited lectures, is co-inventor of 33 granted U.S. patents, and is co-editor of Psychiatric Illness in Women. In addition, Dr Panetta was named to the 15-member Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee on understanding the biology of sex and gender differences, which published a report on “Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?” Dr. Panetta also serves on editorial/advisory boards for a number of scientific journals and companies. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Society for Women’s Health Research and received her PhD in organic chemistry from Dartmouth College, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at Berkeley.
Ray Smith, CPA, MBA, Director – Finance & Administration
Ray Smith began his tenure with the Foundation in 2005 and directs the Foundation’s finance, human resources, information systems, constituent database and general office management functions. He is also the staff liaison to the Financial Oversight Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Smith began his 20 year nonprofit career at the national headquarters of Camp Fire Boys and Girls in Kansas City, MO and worked for health-related nonprofits in Kansas City, KS, Charleston, WV, Daytona Beach, FL and Orlando, FL. He also worked as an auditor at KPMG LLP, the country’s largest audit, tax and advisory services firm.
Mr. Smith obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Missouri – Columbia and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Missouri. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, graduating with honors and an emphasis in human resources management. His master’s coursework included nonprofit management electives at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.
Dave Switzer, Director – Marketing and Communications
Dave Switzer joined the PKD Foundation as Director of Marketing and Communications in 2000. He is responsible for helping communicate information about the PKD Foundation’s programs and services through the organization’s various marketing channels. Dave also oversees educational programs to promote better understanding of polycystic kidney disease for patients and medical professionals.
Prior to joining the PKD Foundation Dave worked at WFTX-TV in Fort Myers, FL where he served as the Marketing and Communications Director managing the station's marketing, promotions and public service activities. He was also the Marketing and Community Affairs Director for WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, IN. Prior to his television station work, Dave was a television consultant for Frank N. Magid Associates, a broadcast research and consulting firm in Marion, IA.
Dave holds a degree in Marketing Communications from Eastern Illinois University.