Media Contact:
Michelle Sagan
National Down Syndrome Society
(301) 728-0447
media@ndss.org
National Down Syndrome Society Announces New Executive Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. (January 12, 2026) – The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Board of Directors elected a new Executive Committee on December 11, 2025. The 2026 NDSS executive committee includes Thomas (Tom) Warner as Chair, Misty Holmes as Vice Chair, John Short as Treasurer, Janet Eissenstat as Secretary, Candace Whiting as Deputy Secretary, John McGuire as Audit Chair, Anthony Providenti and Hector Guinness as Executive Committee members, and Betsy Goodwin, as founder of the organization.
“I am honored to continue supporting NDSS in this new role,” stated newly elected Chair Tom Warner. “NDSS has made tremendous strides for individuals with Down syndrome over more than four decades. I look forward to continuing to build upon that work with the Board to ensure all individuals with Down syndrome thrive.”
Tom Warner joined the NDSS board in September 2021 and served as Vice Chair from October 2023 through December 2025. Over the past 17 years he has been an active volunteer in the Down Syndrome community, including serving a term as a board member of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida (DSACF). Tom Warner is Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Radar, Electronic Warfare & Acoustic Systems business and has been with the company in a variety of leadership roles for nearly three decades. He is also a devoted father to Isaac, his 17‑year‑old son who has Down syndrome.
Misty Holmes also began volunteering on the NDSS board in September 2021. A dedicated advocate within the Down syndrome community since 2010, Holmes has attended NDSS Hill Days, supported local affiliate organizations in Dallas and Tucson, and ran in multiple NDSS charity marathon races. She is the Vice President of Shipboard Missiles at Raytheon, an RTX business, and she has a 15-year-old daughter, Alison, who has Down syndrome.
“This incredible group of volunteers on the Executive Committee will help shape our future at NDSS as we advance our strategic plan and strengthen our research initiatives in the coming year,” said NDSS CEO Kandi Pickard. “I am excited about the impact we will continue to make for the Down syndrome community.”
The Executive Committee meets quarterly beginning March 2026.
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About NDSS
The National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) mission is to create a world where individuals with Down syndrome thrive. NDSS advances this mission through its core pillars of Resources & Support, Research, Advocacy & Policy, and Community Engagement. NDSS founded the National Buddy Walk® Program in 1995 and hosts community engagement events throughout the country including the New York City Buddy Walk® and Times Square Video, the NDSS Adult Summit, and the Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. Visit www.ndss.org to learn more.