2023 Alice Mayo Society Board of Directors

- President: Sophia Chen president@ams-mn.org
- Vice President: Meghana Bindumadhav
- Secretary: Ruby Reena Gulati
- Treasurer: Billy McClarin
- Communications Director: Vinita Phordcommunications@ams-mn.org
- Activities Director: Victoria Chen activities@ams-mn.org
- Activities Co-Chair: Deb Rasmussen
- Events Director: Kristina Tiedje
- Events Co-Chair: Paola Viejo Campos
- Board Member At Large: Sherry Jester
- Board Member At Large (Emeritus): Lynda Sharbrough
- Past President: Bernadetta Elder
Interested in serving on the board? Find out more about the Alice Mayo Society Board of Directors and fill out an application form.
Meet your AMS Board of Directors

Sophia Chen, President
Board Member Since: 2019
AMS Member Since: 2016
Family: Husband works in Radiology. They have three children.
Occupation: Senior Management Consultant with a background in hospital administration, finance, audits, risk management and programming
Why did you join the AMS board? “After joining a few AMS events, I found AMS is a wonderful organization, and I am appreciative of the board’s hard work and what they do to make every event possible. It’s my honor to serve our society and work with many dedicated and talented AMS board members.”
Board Member Since: 2019
AMS Member Since: 2016
Family: Husband works in Radiology. They have three children.
Occupation: Senior Management Consultant with a background in hospital administration, finance, audits, risk management and programming
Why did you join the AMS board? “After joining a few AMS events, I found AMS is a wonderful organization, and I am appreciative of the board’s hard work and what they do to make every event possible. It’s my honor to serve our society and work with many dedicated and talented AMS board members.”

Meghana Bindumadhav, Vice President
Board Member Since: 2023
AMS Member Since: 2017
Family: Husband is in Gastroenterology and currently heads the Pancreas group at Mayo. They have two children.
Work Experience: Previously worked in IT and business.
Why did you join the AMS board? “I would like to further the AMS mission of community service, connection, and inclusiveness. I hope to re-engage the community after the COVID pandemic and support the other Board members."
Board Member Since: 2023
AMS Member Since: 2017
Family: Husband is in Gastroenterology and currently heads the Pancreas group at Mayo. They have two children.
Work Experience: Previously worked in IT and business.
Why did you join the AMS board? “I would like to further the AMS mission of community service, connection, and inclusiveness. I hope to re-engage the community after the COVID pandemic and support the other Board members."

Ruby Reena Gulati, Secretary
Board Member Since: 2022
AMS Member Since: 2008
Family: Husband is a cardiologist. They have two children.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? I understand what it is like to be away from friends and family, and to be a Mayo Consultant's spouse. I hope to support the members of our board with all that they do to make this a great year for our members.
Board Member Since: 2022
AMS Member Since: 2008
Family: Husband is a cardiologist. They have two children.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? I understand what it is like to be away from friends and family, and to be a Mayo Consultant's spouse. I hope to support the members of our board with all that they do to make this a great year for our members.
Vinita Phord, Communications
Board Member Since: 2023 AMS Member Since: 2005 Work Experience: Creative director in corporate communications and entrepreneur. Family: Husband is an ophthalmologist. They have two children. What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? Throughout the years, I have had the pleasure of attending numerous AMS events. It is an honor for me to be a part of this esteemed community, and I am committed to supporting its future objectives and upcoming events. |

Victoria Chen, Activities Director
Board Member Since: 2022
AMS Member Since: 2015
Family: Husband works in Neuro-ophthalmology. They have two children.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? The AMS helps Mayo families make connections through many events, social groups, and service opportunities. I am honored to be able to help the board and work with such a great organization.
Board Member Since: 2022
AMS Member Since: 2015
Family: Husband works in Neuro-ophthalmology. They have two children.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? The AMS helps Mayo families make connections through many events, social groups, and service opportunities. I am honored to be able to help the board and work with such a great organization.
Deb Ramussen, Activities Co-Chair
Board Member Since: 2023 |

Kristina Tiedje, PhD, Events Director
Board Member Since: 2019
AMS Member Since: 2007
Family: Husband works in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. They have two children.
Work Experience: Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lyon 2 in France and a researcher at the Laboratory of Contemporary Issues. While currently on leave, she has worked on clinical research projects and conducted long-term field research. She also has served as a volunteer interpreter, served on several editorial boards and is currently an associate editor of the Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. In addition, she is the president of the board of the Rochester Dance Company.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "I hope to be able to continue to make Rochester a welcoming environment for new Mayo families and to contribute to enhancing the activities provided to Mayo spouses and families.”
Board Member Since: 2019
AMS Member Since: 2007
Family: Husband works in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. They have two children.
Work Experience: Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lyon 2 in France and a researcher at the Laboratory of Contemporary Issues. While currently on leave, she has worked on clinical research projects and conducted long-term field research. She also has served as a volunteer interpreter, served on several editorial boards and is currently an associate editor of the Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. In addition, she is the president of the board of the Rochester Dance Company.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "I hope to be able to continue to make Rochester a welcoming environment for new Mayo families and to contribute to enhancing the activities provided to Mayo spouses and families.”

Paola Viejo Campos, Events Co-Chair
Board Member Since: 2023
AMS Member Since: 2016
Family: Husband, Roberto Leon-Ferre, works as a Breast Oncologist. They have two children.
Work Experience: Paola previously worked in childhood development and special education in Ecuador.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "I hope to be more involved in our community and to make a welcoming environment for new Mayo families."
Board Member Since: 2023
AMS Member Since: 2016
Family: Husband, Roberto Leon-Ferre, works as a Breast Oncologist. They have two children.
Work Experience: Paola previously worked in childhood development and special education in Ecuador.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "I hope to be more involved in our community and to make a welcoming environment for new Mayo families."

Sherry Jester, Member at Large
Board Member Since: 2022
AMS Member Since: 2002
Family: Husband, Harry Cloft, interventional neuro-radiologist, grown son, married, living in Michigan works in sustainability sector, college age daughter, schooling in Michigan studying climate science, high school aged daughter at Century.
Work experience: Pediatrician (retired), multiple (past and present) community volunteer activities in Rochester including health care, schools, music organizations, church, athletics, disaster response and homeless/refugee community members.
Why did you decide to join the AMS Board? I hope to welcome Mayo spouses to the Rochester community and share my knowledge of the opportunities in our community for recreation and service.
Board Member Since: 2022
AMS Member Since: 2002
Family: Husband, Harry Cloft, interventional neuro-radiologist, grown son, married, living in Michigan works in sustainability sector, college age daughter, schooling in Michigan studying climate science, high school aged daughter at Century.
Work experience: Pediatrician (retired), multiple (past and present) community volunteer activities in Rochester including health care, schools, music organizations, church, athletics, disaster response and homeless/refugee community members.
Why did you decide to join the AMS Board? I hope to welcome Mayo spouses to the Rochester community and share my knowledge of the opportunities in our community for recreation and service.

Bernadetta Elder, Past President
Board Member Since: 2019
AMS Member Since: 2017
Family: Husband works in Neurosurgery. They have three children.
Work Experience: Previously an extravehicular mobility unit mission manager at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "As Vice President, I will continue to work to further the Alice Mayo mission and support the recreational needs of Alice Mayo Society members. I would like to engage each member in AMS, whether it be through social interaction or community service."
Board Member Since: 2019
AMS Member Since: 2017
Family: Husband works in Neurosurgery. They have three children.
Work Experience: Previously an extravehicular mobility unit mission manager at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "As Vice President, I will continue to work to further the Alice Mayo mission and support the recreational needs of Alice Mayo Society members. I would like to engage each member in AMS, whether it be through social interaction or community service."

Lynda Sharbrough, Member at Large (Emeritus)