Board of Directors.

Heather Abbott

Founder & CEO

Heather Abbott, a native of Rhode Island, currently resides in Newport. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Stonehill College and an MBA from Providence College. With a professional background rooted in Human Resources and Compliance, Heather has been employed by RTX Corporation since 2007.

Her dedication and resilience have earned her numerous accolades. In 2014, she received the Spirit of an Active Lifestyle Award from the Orthopedic Association. The following year, she was honored as a Woman to Watch in Social Services by Providence Business News, received the President’s Medal of Excellence from Stonehill College, and was named a Woman of Spirit and Courage by Rhode Island Women in Higher Education. She has also received honorary doctorates in Humane Letters from Framingham State University (2015) and Stonehill College (2019), as well as an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Providence College (2016). In 2021, she was recognized as a CNN Hero.

Heather has shared her inspiring story through numerous national media outlets, including People and Glamour magazines, CNN, ESPN, and the Today Show, among others. She serves as the Chair of the Board for the Heather Abbott Foundation and travels the country as a motivational speaker, sharing her journey and insights following the Boston Marathon bombing.

Kevin Horst

Chairperson

Kevin has been connected to The Heather Abbott Foundation for nine years including six years on the Board. He is excited to now find himself in the role of Chairperson, continuing his work with the wonderful group of people committed to making the world a better place. Kevin spent a rewarding 30 years with Costco Wholesale and retired back in 2017 to check some things off his wish-list. One of the first things was running the Boston Marathon for HAF and other foundations to improve lives of people living with physical challenges. Over the years he has enjoyed working with a community organization that mentors children and another that works to allow elderly people to age in their homes. Hailing from Tacoma, Washington he has lived in Boston for more than two decades and is a confirmed New Englander. He lives in Boston with his husband Mike.

James O. Banks

Secretariat

James O. Banks is a retired Program Director from Raytheon Company (now RTX), where he dedicated 40 years to managing complex weapons and sensor programs. His work supported key clients including the U.S. Navy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Intelligence Community, NATO, and allied nations.

Mr. Banks holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island. In retirement, he enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife, Lori, in Bradenton, Florida. They have four adult children and five grandchildren, all residing in southern New England.

Malina Jacobowitz

Vice President

An award-winning marketer, Malina Jacobowitz has long experience in design, branding and campaign management, as well as a background in web development, usability and project management. Malina Jacobowitz currently serves as the Senior Director of Marketing at APIC, the leading professional association for infection preventionists (IPs) and epidemiologists. Malina studied Anthropology at The Evergreen State College (Olympia, WA), and the George Mason University (Fairfax, Va), and resides in Northern Virginia with her two children.

Laurie Rice

Member

Laurie hails from Los Angeles, California. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Northwestern University, as a dual major in History and Slavic Languages and Literatures. She was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2001, having received her Masters in Hebrew Letters in 1999.

She has been serving as the co-senior Rabbi of Congregation Micah in Nashville, TN since 2006. She has been a runner since the age of 18 and completed 23 marathons. She discovered HAF as an incredible way to run Boston and has been grateful to run 2 (and soon 3) Boston’swith the HAF team. She loves spending time with her husband and co-rabbi, Flip, and their three children. Second to that, she loves to run and help others rediscover the joy of running through the gift of prosthetics.

Garrett Tingle

Member

Garrett Tingle is a Journeyman Carpenter and longtime educator who has spent more than three decades teaching high school students in the. Carpentry Technology Program of Study. Guided by the belief that “sometimes the spirit gives you just what is needed,” Garrett was introduced to Heather Abbott and the Heather Abbott Foundation in 2019 while pursuing a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Although qualifying didn’t happen, he discovered something even more meaningful—a community dedicated to helping others live life to the fullest.

Since then, Garrett has proudly supported the Foundation, raising funds and building lasting friendships along the way. He often describes HAF as a truly warm and welcoming community that brings people together through a shared commitment to making a difference.

A lifelong runner and Boston-area resident, Garrett has completed the
Boston Marathon more than 30 times. He views the race as New England’s own Super Bowl and treasures the experience of sharing the course with elite athletes while being cheered on by the same enthusiastic crowds. As he puts it, “There’s nothing else quite like it.”

Garrett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Community Systems and a Master of Education in Education and Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College. For him, running is a spiritual endeavor—one that continually reminds him how fortunate he is to be healthy and active. Through his involvement with the Heather Abbott Foundation, he hopes to help others experience the same sense of freedom, opportunity, and joy.