L. Marie Asad

Biography

L. Marie Asad is a patient advocate, community engagement leader and currently services as President of the Friends of the PBC Foundation, NFP., an a transformative organization dedicated to serving those affected by Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), in the United States. Ms. Asad, holds a Master of Arts degree in Gerontology from Concordia University, a Leadership Certificate from the Organizational Leadership Institute and Bachelor of Art degree from Illinois State University. In addition, she is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and in 2022 successfully completed the University of Maryland's School of Pharmacy's PATIENTS Professors Academy to promote health equity in research and eliminate inequities.

As a young girl growing up in Englewood, L. Marie knew that her passion was to serve. She started doing so at age 13 as a teacher's aide for students with developmental disabilities at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, A United Way funded organization. After completing her undergraduate studies, L. Marie returned to that same United Way funded organization to work as a case manager for adults with developmental disabilities. In December, L. Marie was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to serve on the Illinois Rare Disease Commission as a patient representative. For several years she's also served as a member of the Illinois chair for the community committee for both the African American and Veterans business resource groups at Health Care Service Corporation. She is also proud to spend her time, treasure and thought leadership volunteering with the following:

• United Way of Metro Chicago – South/Southwest Regional Board
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter
• Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network Steering Committee and Healthy Living Active Lifestyles Committee
• PBC Foundation a UK based patient organization representing 20,000 patients in 80 different countries.
• Friends of the PBC Foundation, NFP., founding board member

In 2024, L. Marie received the United Way Community partner of the year award from United Way of Metro Chicago for advocacy efforts at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. In 2023, she earned the Community partner award form Volunteers of America Illinois and in 2022, she was an honoree at the "She ROCKS It' gala for her contributions in the area of community involvement and health care advocacy. She's also received various honorable mentions and awards, including the Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Chi Lambda Lambda Chapter "Women of Excellence ", Co-chair of the Year" award from the Illinois Coalition of Family – Treatment Based Providers and Allies, and was honored by the Chicago Police Department Community Policing for contributions with their older adult programs. L. Marie calls the Chicago Southland her home where she loves to serve her community and spend time with her loving family, parakeets and her network of friends.