AUA Foundation names new executive director

Sandra Vassos has been named the new executive director of the AUA Foundation.

Vassos served most recently as senior vice president and chief development officer at the American Liver Foundation. She has more than 17 years of experience in building development operations, integrating functions, and establishing long-term donor and institutional partnerships.

In her new capacity, the AUA Foundation said she will provide an immediate contribution as a persuasive and powerful spokesperson who will lead the organization to the next tier of excellence.

"The background and proven achievements that Sandra brings with her will help guide the Foundation towards achieving its goal to lead patient/public education, advocacy, and research efforts for urology," said AUA Executive Director Mike Sheppard, CPA, CAE.

Separately, AUA has announced that Alec Stone has joined the organization as director of government relations and advocacy, where he will be responsible for leading the formulation, coordination, and execution of AUA's national and state legislative advocacy efforts.

Stone was most recently executive director of Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, where he oversaw congressional, administration, and coalition-building efforts and created the Congressional Oral Health Caucus. He has 17-plus years of experience working in the political arena.