Welcoming our New Co-Chairs: Education on Women's Health Research is in Good Hands Indeed!

Kathleen Franklin (left) and Abigail de Agostino (right) are the new Howell Foundation Co-chairs.  They are responsible for leading our team into ensuring that women are informed on the importance of women's health research!

“I have written about both, Kathleen and Abigail before,” comments fellow Howell Board Member Carolyn Northrup.  “I am excited about the growth the Foundation is experiencing and am delighted to be collaborating with them. I truly admire their passion for women’s health!”

If there is someone who clearly understands the need for women’s health research, it’s Kathleen Franklin.  Serving on the Board of Directors of the Howell Foundation since 2006, she has seen first-hand the efforts the Foundation has put forth to keeping the women we love healthy.  "The Foundation has come a long way since I joined the Board over 10 years ago!"

Kathleen Franklin is retired Superintendent of a large territory of parks and beaches in the Malibu area. As a park professional, Kathleen managed museums and parks for the National Park Service and California State Parks.  She has served on the boards of nine California nonprofit organizations. She has managed over two dozen volunteer organizations, each with a different mission.  I'd like to say that the Howell Foundation has to be one of her favorites; but ultimately, she neither confirms or denies out of respect to all who have had the pleasure of working with her!

Kathleen is proud of developing coalitions of supporters, conducting strategic planning, producing successful grants and fundraising, managing many multi-million dollar projects that involved historic buildings restoration, establishment of new parks and renovation of existing ones.

Kathleen has served on a statewide Leadership Development Team.  Among her awards are the Statewide Hill Award for Inspiration, Commendations for Leadership, and the National Park Service Award of Excellence.  Kathleen is currently an artist and a docent at the USS Midway Museum.

Abigail D’Agostino is a medical professional with over 13 years of wide range experience in the healthcare industry and has demonstrated proven success with increasing levels of professional responsibility. Abigail obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse license and Public Health Nursing certificate in 2002 and sought medical-surgical and critical care clinical experience for several years where she won an award for clinical excellence and obtained her critical care certification.

Abigail further advanced her education and earned her Master’s in Business Administration and then became certified in Plant-Based nutrition. Abigail is the Director of Patient Care Services for LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care and is an Associate Consultant with Weatherbee Resources Inc. She is a volunteer speaker for the American Heart Association and is the founder and CEO of Nurses for Health, a 501c3 tax exempt, not-for-profit corporation, dedicated to improving the health of the community -at -large, through education.

Abigail joined the board of the Howell foundation because she is passionate about empowering women in their paths towards healthy living and doing so, through valid and credible research and resources.

I am very excited to be working alongside the new leadership: the talented and enthusiastic Abigail D’Agostino and Kathleen Franklin. In fact, Kathleen co-chaired with me in 2017,"  comments Dr. Banka, immediate past Co-Chair.  "The Board will be in good hands indeed!  I wish for them both the joy and sense of accomplishment I have experienced working with our spectacular Board of Directors and “Friends” of the Howell Foundation."

2018: we are ready! Please visit www.howellfoundation.org to learn more about why women’s health research is important, and the many ways to can become part of the movement to Keep the Women we Love Healthy!

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The Doris A. Howell Foundation is dedicated to making a long-term, positive impact on women’s health. It is the premier organization advancing women’s health research and education.

The organization does so by funding scholarships to scientists researching issues affecting women’s health;   providing a forum for medical experts, scientists, doctors, researchers, and authors to convey the timely information on topics relevant to women’s health and the health of their families through its Lecture and Evening Series; and by funding research initiatives that will create women’s health awareness and advocacy in the community. 

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