Lung Association Adds Non-Profit Veteran to Head Missouri Efforts

Today, the American Lung Association in Missouri announced the addition of Brett Schuette as executive director of the state office, based in St. Louis.

“Brett has a lengthy track record of expanding an organization’s impact as a regional leader at large non-profits,” said Lewis Bartfield, the executive vice president of the Lung Association, Upper Midwest Region. “We believe that his diverse experience, insight into the healthcare industry and local roots will help us create a healthier Missouri.”

Schuette joins the Lung Association following eight years working for the American Cancer Society, where he served in multiple roles. During his time there, he consistently exceeded fundraising and event participation goals, built a strong board of directors, and implemented the Metro-East Colorectal Cancer Consortium. Prior to that, he was the director of development for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“It is an honor to serve such a noble cause and I look forward to working for those who are fighting lung disease every day,” said Schuette. “Missouri faces many health challenges, including a high smoking rate and too few smokefree air laws. I will strive to strengthen our fundraising events so that we can support local lung health programs in the community to help our state improve their lung health and reduce the burden of lung disease.”

In Missouri, there are more than 600,000 people who suffer from lung disease, including nearly 3,000 who battle lung cancer. The Lung Association helps save lives locally by raising awareness about the risk factors of lung disease, helping people manage their illness through educational trainings, by funding research to find a cure for lung cancer and much more.