We are thrilled to introduce you to Luis Teixeira, the new EHC CEO. Luis joined the EHC team in May 2023 and brings with him a wealth of experience working for different European associations and holding management positions with a focus on operations and finances.
Luis, welcome to the EHC, can you tell us about yourself?
Born and raised in Brussels, I’m the proud father of two teenagers. I studied economics but then decided to turn a woodworking hobby into a job and started cabinet making training. I was enjoying it but progress was not fast enough, and with a baby on the way I’ve decided to get a ‘real’ job as an accountant. I’ve worked for different industries before getting to know the international association world. Working for a cause was rewarding, and from then on I’ve always worked and grown within NGOs. As a generalist, I had the chance to serve organisations fighting for social justice, democracy, health, biodiversity, and sustainability…I feel very lucky to be able to work for a patients’ coalition now.
What attracted you to join the EHC?
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to work for another international association in the healthcare field. So the perspective of serving a patients’ coalition was therefore very attractive. The strong community and team’s commitment were also key aspect for me. As I’m used to working in larger teams, another interesting point was to lead a smaller team where I suppose we are even more all hands on deck and need even more creative solutions.
What are your main priorities at the EHC?
The very first priority is to establish priorities! To do so, I will consult and observe both internally and externally. Even if Rome wasn’t built in a day, some topics cannot suffer delays such as team and Steering Committee well-being and organisation of finances. Generally speaking, I see my role as serving different teams to make sure they can deliver our different ambitions. As a facilitator between different bodies of the organisation, my priorities will be established with this mindset and approach.
What do you enjoy doing outside work in your free time?
Recently, coaching a basketball team took a lot of my free time but I love to convey knowledge and values and it is immensely rewarding to see a bunch of kids becoming skilled and smart in this game. Another interest, sometimes close to obsession, is chess: I’m good enough to understand I’m quite a poor player, but I still love it. I have this project in the countryside with my partner where we have a million ideas to develop, amongst these, I will enjoy a nice woodworking workshop, and I’m looking forward to going back into this meditative and creative activity.
Jim is aged 66 and has Haemophilia A with a high titer inhibitor which he developed at age 14.
Maria Elisa Mancuso (MD, PhD) is a Haematologist and works as a Senior Haematology Consultant at the Center for Thrombosis and Haemorrhagic Diseases of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano, Milan, Italy. She is Adjunct Clinical Professor at Humanitas University. She obtained a post-degree in Clinical and Experimental Haematology and a PhD in Clinical Methodology. She is involved in clinical research and has published several original articles in peer-reviewed journals a The Lancet, Blood, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Haematologica, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, British Journal of Haematology and Haemophilia. She is reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and member of the Editorial Board of JTH. She is a member of several scientific societies (ISTH, WFH, ASH, EAHAD, SISET, AICE) and was a medical member of the Inhibitor Working Group of the European Hemophilia Consortium. She is co-chair of the ADVANCE Study Group. She has acted also as co-chair of the Scientific and Standardization Subcommittee of ISTH on FVIII, FIX and rare bleeding disorders. She has been involved as principal and co-investigator in several clinical trials, and she takes care of both children and adults with hemophilia and other congenital bleeding disorders with a specific scientific interest in novel therapies, prophylaxis, inhibitors, and chronic hepatitis C.
As a patient with factor II deficiency, the diagnostic and treatment of rare bleeding disorders is a matter dear to my heart. My motivation to participate in the work of the ERIN committee is to improve both diagnostic and treatment for patients with rare bleeding disorders across Europe.
Economist and financial expert by profession, executive coach and trainer by passion and haemophilia advocate by every drop of my blood through my son (who has severe haemophilia A with inhibitors). Bringing a good decade of practical experience from the corporate insurance world, laser focus, growth mindset and resilience from my own experience, offering you anything I can just do, in hope that together we can make life more fulfilled for those impacted by bleeding disorders.
Amy Owen-Wyard is a Registered Mental Health Nurse. With experience working with children, young people, their families and adults with severe and enduring mental health conditions. Amy was also involved in a service improvement to provide a holistic care approach for those in general hospitals to support both their mental and physical health, whilst sharing her expertise and knowledge in mental health with the wider multidisciplinary team.
