The AAFP executive management team
Meet the executive leaders who drive the AAFP's mission forward.
R. Shawn Martin
Executive vice president and CEO
Shawn Martin serves as executive vice president and CEO for the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP is the medical specialty organization representing 128,300 family physicians and medical students nationwide. Martin works with the AAFP Board of Directors on the mission, strategy and vision for the AAFP and provides representation to other organizations, including medical, public and private sectors.
Shawn Martin serves as executive vice president and CEO for the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP is the medical specialty organization representing 128,300 family physicians and medical students nationwide. Martin works with the AAFP Board of Directors on the mission, strategy and vision for the AAFP and provides representation to other organizations, including medical, public and private sectors.
Michelle Farrell Emerson
Senior vice president of membership, marketing and communications
Michelle Farrell Emerson serves as senior vice president of membership, marketing and communications at the AAFP. In this role, she is responsible for leading the divisions focused on communications, conventions and events, marketing, membership, and website strategy and execution.
Michelle Farrell Emerson serves as senior vice president of membership, marketing and communications at the AAFP. In this role, she is responsible for leading the divisions focused on communications, conventions and events, marketing, membership, and website strategy and execution.
Charlotte Kerner, CPA
Chief financial officer and senior vice president of finance and business performance
Charlotte Kerner, CPA, is responsible for the organization's financial operations, including financial reporting, budgets, investments and cash management.
Charlotte Kerner, CPA, is responsible for the organization's financial operations, including financial reporting, budgets, investments and cash management.
Heather Leith, JD, CAE
Senior vice president and general counsel
Heather Leith, JD, CAE, serves as general counsel and senior vice president. She joined the AAFP in 2013 as general counsel. Leith leads the organization’s legal operations.
Heather Leith, JD, CAE, serves as general counsel and senior vice president. She joined the AAFP in 2013 as general counsel. Leith leads the organization’s legal operations.
Paula T. Matthews
Chief administrative officer
Paula T. Matthews is the AAFP’s chief administrative officer. She leads all aspects of human resources and administration and champions the AAFP’s culture, engagement and talent development strategies.
Paula T. Matthews is the AAFP’s chief administrative officer. She leads all aspects of human resources and administration and champions the AAFP’s culture, engagement and talent development strategies.
Stephanie Quinn
Senior vice president of external affairs and practice experience
Stephanie Quinn is senior vice president of external affairs and practice experience at the AAFP, where she oversees the divisions focused on government relations, practice advancement and strategic engagements.
Stephanie Quinn is senior vice president of external affairs and practice experience at the AAFP, where she oversees the divisions focused on government relations, practice advancement and strategic engagements.
Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Chief medical officer and senior vice president of education, inclusiveness and physician well-being
Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, serves as chief medical officer and senior vice president of education, inclusiveness and physician well-being. Savoy oversees all organizational activities related to medical education and continuing professional development. She also serves as the organization’s champion for physician well-being, is the executive lead for the AAFP’s diversity, equity and inclusion work, and directs the Center for Diversity and Health Equity.
Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, serves as chief medical officer and senior vice president of education, inclusiveness and physician well-being. Savoy oversees all organizational activities related to medical education and continuing professional development. She also serves as the organization’s champion for physician well-being, is the executive lead for the AAFP’s diversity, equity and inclusion work, and directs the Center for Diversity and Health Equity.