SHAMEKKA MARTY

My professional journey spans 21 years in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, but health advocacy has truly been my life's work. I was a caregiver from a young age, taking care of my mother and grandmother since I was young, and later my uncle who had HIV until he passed away two years ago. Sixteen years ago, I was diagnosed with lupus, following in the footsteps of my mother who had lupus and my grandmother who had severe rheumatoid arthritis. After my grandmother passed away 24 years ago, I became a bigger advocate in her honor. Today, I live with 14 different autoimmune conditions on top of lupus and am a kidney transplant survivor. I took my love of IT and integrated it into healthcare IT, focusing on interoperability, which deals with patient exchange of information and electronic medical records. A year ago, I segued from corporate into my own business, working in sports and health. I work with high-profile athletes and former alumni, sometimes entertainers, doing placement for athletes with pharma companies who have health conditions. I lead a team of 10 consisting of admin and sales, making calls to brands, appearing on podcasts weekly, and coordinating with my PR team. I'm on a plane every week, sometimes twice a week. People know me as 'pretty sick lupus chick,' and I advocate and educate people on how to talk to their doctors, address health inequities, go to Capitol Hill, and work with the FDA. I advocate for organ donation, which is especially meaningful during Kidney Transplant Awareness Month. I'm originally from New Jersey but now work on the West Coast, though I still deal with the East Coast, starting my days very early checking messages from clients, going through emails, making calls all day to pharma companies, scheduling meetings with my team, doing podcasts, and working out strategy with my PR team.