Meet Our Board

Overview of board

Debbie Eappen​

President

Debbie is Matty’s mom. She grew up fifth of of seven children in Chicago. She works 2 days a week as a comprehensive ophthalmologist in Boston.

Debbie is dedicated to educating medical professionals about the prevalence of child abuse and shaken impact syndrome in all socio-economic groups. She has spoken at the American Academy of Opthalmology midyear forum to enhance educational materials on shaken impact syndrome. She has shared her experiences at numerous conferences including the national conferences on shaken baby syndrome. She also selectively interviews with general media to prevent shaken impact syndrome through public education.

Debbie recognizes the impact of shaken impact syndrome on the entire family, including siblings. She has testified at legislative hearings on shaken impact syndrome. She identifies with victim rights issues and has spoken at the victim rights’ conference in Boston. She has encouraged organ donation in homicide victims. She has run the Boston Marathon twice to raise money for the foundation.
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She is the proud and very active mother of Matty’s 3 siblings: Brendan, Kevin, and Elisabeth, who bring her great joy.

Charlie Pipal​

Vice President

​Charlie lives in Riverside, Illinois and has been on the Matty Eappen Foundation Board since its inception in 1999 and has served as Vice President since 2000. He is an architect and is married to former board member, Susan Pipal, with whom he has two children.

Sunil Eappen​

Board Member

​Sunil is the father of Matty. He currently work as an Obstetric Anesthesiologist at The Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School. He was born in Chicago and lived in and around Chicago until moving to MA in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of IL in Urbana-Champaign and went to medical school at the University of Chicago. He and Debbie have have three other adult children.

Jim Ader

Treasurer

Jim has a Bachelors of Science in Forestry from University of Illinois and a Masters of Business Administration from Indiana University. He spent 20 years in various financial roles at Consolidated Rail Corporation and Capital One Financial before recently returning to his passion for flight. He currently works as a flight instructor at Skill Aviation in Waukegan, IL and lives in Libertyville, IL with his life partner, Deb.

Katie Miller​

board member

​Katie is a new board member, and currently resides in Chicago. She is a principal in the Chicago Public School System. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Delaware, and Master’s Degree in Administration at Northeastern Illinois University. Her hobbies include adventure travel and marathon running.

Brendan Eappen​

Board Member

​Brendan is Matty’s brother. He is currently a student at Harvard Medical School. He graduated in 2016 from Harvard College where he studied Psychology and Global Health and Health Policy. He has returned to school after working with Partners In Health and Fortify Health, two global health organizations. He loves teaching and learning, and he strives to extend care to the most vulnerable people through his work and everyday encounters. Brendan is an enthusiastic albeit amateur musician and enjoys the company of his family and friends.

Linda Ayer​

Board Member

​Linda received her Masters in Social Work degree from Boston College and has worked in the field for 25 years. She has spent much of her career advocating for children and supporting families. Linda and her husband have two adult children and she enjoys spending her time outside, hiking and kayaking.

Paul Spellman

Board Member

​Paul returns to the board after a three year hiatus. He is Matty’s Godfather and uncle. He is an account manager for a major industrial enterprise software company. Paul is an avid marathoner (38 and counting, including running Boston 3 times for the Matty Eappen Foundation) and ironman triathlete. He is excited about expanding the activities and awareness of the Foundation in the Chicago area and beyond.