MSAA strives to be a leading resource for the MS community by Improving Lives Today through vital services and support – and we could not accomplish this without the help of our volunteer board members. MSAA’s Board of Directors is comprised of accomplished professionals from across the country who volunteer their time to further MSAA’s mission. With our ongoing series, Meet the Board, we look to introduce you to our wonderful volunteer board members!

This month, MSAA is proud to highlight our newest board member Meryl Ravitz and share her inspiration for joining the Board of Directors and future goals for the organization.

Professional Background: Meryl Ravitz is an entrepreneurial financial executive with more than 25 years of senior-level experience in small/mid-capitalization companies in the telecommunications and consumer products industries. She has been instrumental in Equity & Debt placements, IPO’s and the related SEC work, Sarbanes-Oxley, budgeting, reporting, audits, treasury, and human resource functions at her various companies.

Ms. Ravitz has been the CFO & Treasurer of XcomIP, a wholesale telecommunications company, since 2011. Prior to that, she held multiple finance positions at Vivaro Corporation, leaving as the CFO & Treasurer. She also held finance management positions at Wired Business as well as Destia Communications. She started her career at Deloitte & Touche.

What inspired you to join MSAA’s Board of Directors?

I am thrilled to join MSAA’s Board of Directors! I have been volunteering for MS organizations since 1992 when I joined the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – NJ chapter, as the youngest board member. My father had MS my entire life, and he passed away in 1988, prior to the availability of any MS medications. I vowed to do something to help other families not go through what he and our family went through. I was the Board Co-Chair and Treasurer through my 25 years at the MS Society, leaving in 2017. I then joined MS Hope for a Cure as Treasurer for three years.

MSAA’s focus on helping people living with MS is really exciting to me. During my time at the National MS Society, I instituted a scholarship program for teens with MS or a parent with MS to help with college-related expenses. I loved getting to know the teens and their families, who benefited from the scholarships, which for many was life changing. I also helped at various events (both programs and fundraising) over the years where I could meet the people we were serving. Helping others is something I’m very passionate about. My daughter and I have also been volunteering at a homeless shelter for the past four years, since she was three years old. MSAA’s mission of helping those living with MS inspired me to join.

Lastly, I joined because MSAA has the best CEO around. I have known Gina Murdoch since our days at the MS Society, and look forward to working again with someone so dedicated, trustworthy, and caring.

What are your goals as an MSAA Board Member?

I would hope to make a difference as a Board Member. Whether that’s starting new programs, helping at existing ones, raising money, or getting to know the people we are serving, it’s all interesting to me. I will be on the Finance Committee and am happy to help MSAA where needed. In addition to the needs of the organization, my personal need is to be an advocate and supporter in the lives of our friends with MS. I hope that my knowledge of MS and passion for supporting others enables me to be a great Board Member and I look forward to the days when we can meet in person!

Editor’s Note: MSAA is extremely proud and honored to enlist the support of Meryl Ravitz and all dedicated Board Members who volunteer their time, expertise, compassion, and leadership to help us achieve our mission of improving lives today for the entire MS community. We are very grateful for their service and look forward to their continued support as we strive to serve more people in more places than ever before. Thank you once again Ms. Ravitz!