Friends of Children’s Hospital has announced its 2025-2026 Board of Directors, celebrating new leadership while honoring the outstanding service of departing members.
This year marks the conclusion of Kristin Allen’s remarkable 16-year tenure on the board. Allen, who served as board chairman from 2023-2025, played key leadership roles in signature fundraising events such as An Evening with the Mannings, Enchanted Evening, and most recently, An Evening with Friends. Under her chairmanship, Friends contributed more than $5 million to Children’s of Mississippi, supporting major initiatives such as the Capital Campaign for the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower, the Child Life Services program, the Kites & Rainbows program, MyChart Bedside, and the Sidney & Friends Child Life Fund.
Allen’s involvement with Friends began in 2008 when she volunteered for An Evening with the Mannings and was soon invited to join the board. Her passion for the hospital’s Child Life Services program, shared with her late father-in-law and longtime Friends of Children’s Hospital board member Sidney Allen, Sr., led to the creation of the Sidney & Friends Child Life Fund in his honor. Kristin leaves a lasting legacy of service, vision, and generosity.
Friends also thanks Dr. Nikki Cleveland for her dedicated board service from 2021-2025. During her tenure, Dr. Cleveland made a meaningful impact through her work on the Nominating Committee, helping to identify and recruit strong, dedicated leaders for the organization. Her expertise and commitment have been invaluable in advancing the organization’s mission.
Top (L–R): Byron Burkhalter, Mark Hosemann, Jordan Bryan, Katherine Woodall, Maggie West, Michael Boerner, Sanford Moore, Dr. Adam Adcock, Ben James, Kirk Sims. Bottom (L–R): Meredith Aldridge, Samantha Moore, Jennifer Johnson, Mary Clift Abdalla, Caitlin Foreman, Dr. Mary Taylor, Jia Scott. Not pictured: Aimee Garner, Rebekah Gregory, Janna Lampton, Aaron Samuels, Guy Giesecke.
This year’s Board of Directors will be chaired by Mary Clift Abdalla, who has served on the Friends of Children’s Hospital board since 2020. Abdalla is an attorney with Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP and has been an active leader in advancing Friends’ fundraising and advocacy efforts since joining the Friends’ board. She will serve as chairman through 2027, followed by Jennifer Boydston Johnson, board chairman-elect, who will serve a two-year term.
“Kristin has been an extraordinary leader for Friends, as have so many who came before her,” said Abdalla. “It’s an honor to step into this role and help carry forward the remarkable legacy built by those who have shaped Friends into the organization it is today. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated board and staff to continue making a lasting difference for Mississippi’s children.”
The 2025-2026 Friends of Children’s Hospital Board of Directors will continue to champion programs, projects, and innovations that bring hope, smiles, and healing to the more than 275,000 patients treated at Children’s of Mississippi each year.
For details on the 2025–2026 Board of Directors, click here.
