For more than 20 years, VTI President Fran Bulloff has contributed a wide variety of professional skills coupled with lots of passion to help the nonprofit thrive
Like so many caregivers around the world, Fran Bulloff found the Validation Method out of a need to understand and cope with a loved one’s challenges with cognitive decline in older age.
“In the mid-1990s, I was struggling with my mother’s descent into dementia,” she said. “I was searching for more information and assistance.”
In Validation, she said she found some of that understanding, a discovery that prompted her to become active with the nonprofit. Now, more than 20 years later, her relationship with VTI has only deepened.
“I began serving on the VTI Board in 1995 and have continued to serve since then, having been elected board president in September 2010 and reelected in 2014,” she said. “I derive personal gratification from applying my skills and efforts to non-profit organizations which I value.”
Fran has many skills, to say the least.
She is retired from careers in teaching college-level English and practicing law. Her legal specialty areas were Worker’s Compensation and Social Security Disability, primarily representing injured workers.
She also previously taught basic writing courses at Cleveland State University, Lakeland Community College, and Cuyahoga Community College.
In addition to her service to VTI, Fran is an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau and an active volunteer for the Cleveland Orchestra, the Federal Bar Association, and various charitable and philanthropic causes in Cleveland, Ohio.
Most recently, during VTI’s first fundraising/advocacy campaign, “I Validate to Connect,” she was a major contributor. Needless to say, VTI is fortunate to have her on board.
“Fran is a terrific board president, not only as a leader but also as a wise adviser,” said Vicki de Klerk-Rubin, VTI executive director. “Fran’s engagement with VTI goes back decades and she is another foundation stone upon which Naomi built the board of trustees.”
Fran says she, “treasures her long, personal and professional association with Naomi Feil and her wonderful family. Naomi continues to inspire everyone with whom she interacts, including me. I genuinely enjoy working with our board members, Vicki de Klerk-Rubin, Jana Stoddard as well as members of the worldwide Validation community whom I have come to know not only as colleagues but also as friends. We are all connected by our commitment to Validation and respect for Naomi’s work.“
“As president of VTI, I try to lead by example,” Fran continued. “(During my time with VTI), I have observed the organization’s evolution from a shoestring budget ‘mom and pop’ organization to a professional one with the capacity and strategy to sustain itself in the future.”
She said she has also seen substantial growth in the number of countries offering Validation training through AVOS, increasing numbers of certified workers, teachers and masters, and the use of webinars to bridge geographical distance.
“These developments give me tremendous joy and hope that Validation will continue to reach people all over the world who want to improve the quality of life for those with dementia.”
Thank you Fran!