Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Chairman of the Board

[Note: As of 4/2/23, Mr. Kennedy is on leave as CHD’S Chairman and Chief Legal Counsel.]

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. serves as President of Waterkeeper Alliance, as well as Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Legal Counsel for Children’s Health Defense, and of counsel to Morgan & Morgan, a nationwide personal injury practice.

Mr. Kennedy is an esteemed author, with a long list of published books including the New York Times’ bestseller, “Crimes Against Nature.” Mr. Kennedy was named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet” for his success helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. His reputation as a resolute defender of the environment and children’s health stems from a litany of successful legal actions. He received recognition for his role in the landmark victory against Monsanto last year, as well as in the DuPont Case that inspired the movie “Dark Waters” (2019).

John Gilmore

President

John Gilmore has been an advocate for 18 years working on issues related to autism, developmental disabilities and vaccine injury and rights, including access to health care, insurance coverage, epidemiology, special education, civil rights and liberties, vaccine safety and consent issues. He is a founder and a Legislative Director of Children’s Health Defense New York Chapter. And he serves as the Executive Director of the Autism Action Network, a national 501c4 non-profit organization that works on issues related to autism, developmental disabilities, civil rights, and vaccine policy. He is the founder of the Autism Community Walk, and serves on the board of the New York Alliance for Vaccination Rights. He lives in Long Beach, New York, with his wife and his adult vaccine-injured son who is diagnosed with autism. He has a Master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

Rita Palma

Vice President

Rita Palma has advocated for a medical and religious vaccine rights in NY for 14 years as well as an activist and organizer for the vaccine right community. She is the founder of My kids, My Choice, President of New York Alliance for Vaccine Rights and a Legislative Director for Children’s Health Defense- New York Chapter. She lives in Blue Point, NY is the mother of three grown sons and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Public Affairs from Syracuse University.