MY SHOT AT EPILEPSY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Manager for CURE Epilepsy
- Research Manager, Grants
As a Grants Manager for CURE Epilepsy, Alexandria manages the grant portfolio and is the point of contact for grantees who need assistance.
Before joining CURE Epilepsy, Alexandria worked in a neuroscience lab at Northwestern University, where she assisted with Parkinson's Disease research. During her undergraduate studies at North Park University, neuroanatomy and physiology captivated her, leading her to earn her Bachelor's in Biology.
In addition to being a research enthusiast, Alexandria is also a dog lover. She rescued her friend and companion, Hombre, from Animal Care and Control.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Development
Alysha has more than 25 years of fundraising experience in the Chicago nonprofit world. She has been a major gifts fundraiser in higher education and healthcare including DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology and Rush University Medical Center. In those roles, her ability to develop and maintain relationships with donors and volunteers was the key to her success. As the assistant vice president of university advancement at Dominican University, she built and oversaw the team responsible for alumni relations, development operations, and the annual fund.
As she joins the CURE Epilepsy team, Alysha looks forward to working with the dedicated volunteers and staff to build relationships, increase fundraising results and help fund more research focused on finding a cure.
Alysha graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in Classical Civilizations and earned her MS in Public Services Management from DePaul University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Executive Assistant
Amy Hilton joined CURE Epilepsy in October 2019 as Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer Beth Lewin Dean. Amy has been involved professionally with the epilepsy community as the former Advocacy Coordinator at Upsher-Smith Laboratories. As Advocacy Coordinator, Amy was in charge of ensuring cross-functional meetings were held with key functional heads regarding support for patient organizations as well as overseeing the flow of communications and budget alignment that went along with these initiatives. She was part of the Epilepsy Awareness Month Committee and had the opportunity to work with many nonprofits. Amy most enjoyed volunteering at the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota Camp Oz and annual gala, as well as the Anita Kaufmann Foundation's Purple Day Walk for Epilepsy and participating in their success of setting the Guinness World Book of Records largest epilepsy training session in March 2017.
Amy has more than seven years of corporate paralegal and office management experience. While at Boyle Law Firm in Minneapolis, Amy provided legal assistance with pleadings, annual reports, corporate books, meeting minutes, buy and sell agreements, and legal research. She also has over twenty years of project management experience and was previously a Project Management Professional (PMP) in the areas of integrated voice and data, call centers, audio-visual and video conferencing, and computer telephony solutions. Amy is highly organized and detail-oriented, has excellent communication skills, is a team-player, and has strong technology skills. She supports Beth and the organization remotely from the Minneapolis area.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Neurosurgery
Angélique Bordey is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Neurosurgery at Yale University School of Medicine. She has a background in basic research focused on epilepsy and autism and she is advancing her basic research findings into the translational space with a goal of developing new therapies for people with epilepsy.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Executive Assistant
- Dean, MPA
A strategic leader known for collaborative engagement, Beth brings 17 years of extensive experience within the epilepsy field to CURE Epilepsy driven by a strong passion for the needs, aspirations, and hopes of those impacted by epilepsy and their loved ones.
Her professional experience, which includes senior marketing roles at Lundbeck and Abbott Laboratories in addition to industry consulting, has resulted in a strong track record of engaging with physicians, researchers, thought leaders, and patient advocacy groups in this sector. Beth has broad experience in neurology, diabetes, and rare diseases. She has led the commercialization efforts for multiple pharmaceutical products and has significant involvement with patient registries and specialty pharmaceutical distribution. Her spirit of volunteerism and her dedication to patients is illustrated by her many years of partnering with the epilepsy nonprofit sector.
Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell College, a Master of Public Administration from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Partnerships and Programs
As Development Manager of Community Outreach and Research Engagement, Brandon is responsible for managing community events, such as the CURE Epilepsy Champion program. In addition, he manages relationships with corporate partners and sponsors.
He works closely with the CURE Epilepsy Research Team managing the Epilepsy Genetics Initiative program. Using his background in education, Brandon also develops and oversees our educational programming, including webinars and Day of Science events.
Before joining CURE Epilepsy, Brandon was the Assistant Director of Academic and Student Services at Westwood College, where he provided academic, career and life counseling services to students of all ages.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Managing Partner of Transcend Wealth Collective
Brian Gorczynski is a Managing Partner of Transcend Wealth Collective, an investment advisory firm. Prior to joining Transcend, he spent over 25 years as a private equity investor, most recently as a Partner at Veritas Capital. Previously, he co-founded and was a Managing Partner of North Cove Partners and, prior to that, served as Co-Head of BAML Capital Partners, the private equity investment arm of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Over the course of his career, Brian has served on the boards of directors of numerous private companies.
Brian and his wife Cindy live in New Jersey with their daughters Mia and Zoe. Mia was born prematurely at 28 weeks and her twin sister Sarah died when she was two weeks old due to complications of prematurity. Mia suffered extensive brain injury at birth and was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor when she was six weeks old. Although she survived the tumor, Mia later developed hydrocephalus which required the placement of a VP shunt to relieve the pressure on her brain. In 2018, when she was 15 years old, Mia suffered her first of many tonic-clonic seizures and was subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy.
Since 2006, Brian and his family have served as New Jersey Ambassadors for the March of Dimes prematurity campaign. In addition, Brian previously served as a director of the March of Dimes New Jersey board as well as a senior advisor to the national office, including a leadership role on its Prematurity Cost to Business task force. Having now experienced the devastating impacts of epilepsy, Brian and his family are committed to doing all they can to advance epilepsy research with the hope that it will improve the quality of life for Mia and for all people who suffer from this debilitating condition.
Brian holds a B.S., magna cum laude, in Finance from Boston College, where he was co-captain of the golf team. He also holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Carrie Garman has a BA in English and Marketing from Marquette University, where she also studied Bioelectrical Engineering for three years. Passionate about helping others, Carrie went on to work for the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society, where she was the Income Development Manager for the Northwest Suburban Region.
Carrie and her husband, Matt, live in the Chicago area with their two daughters, Avery (9) and Ruby (7). For the past 9 years, Carrie has been at home with her two daughters, and is actively involved in their school PTA and other volunteer activities.
After their daughter Ruby was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 2, Carrie and Matt got involved with CURE, attending the Annual Benefit and CURE Champion's event such as Ella's Race. Carrie's science aptitude has provided her with a solid foundation and lead her to connect further by participating in Days of Science and as Lay Reviewer in the grant review process. Although Ruby's seizures are controlled with medication, their passion to volunteer and continue to fund and promote research remains stronger than ever.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President of the Chicago Business Unit for Clayco
David Reifman is President of the Chicago Business Unit for Clayco. In this role, David oversees all enterprise activity for development, design, and construction-related activities in the greater Chicago area and the surrounding region while also supporting Clayco's national platform. David is also a principal and partner in CRG, Clayco's real estate development and investment firm. David's focus includes helping source opportunities, identifying potential projects and investors, supporting key elements of the development process, and forming and implementing growth strategies.
Prior to joining CRG, David served as the City of Chicago's Commissioner of Planning and Development. In this role, David was the architect of Chicago's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, which creates resources for businesses in the underserved South and West sides and oversaw approvals for the Obama Presidential Center as well as many other large, complex mixed-use projects. He also led efforts to rehabilitate many of Chicago's prominent landmark buildings, initiated reforms to enhance minority- and women-owned business participation in private development and created sustainability policies for effective green building development. Prior to his role with the City of Chicago, David was a partner at DLA Piper, where he practiced law for over 25 years with a focus on commercial, residential, and industrial development.
He has a passion for finding new therapies that would directly impact family and friends affected by epilepsy. As a CURE Board Member, he is excited to help fund novel research into alternative therapies to give more options to patients around the world.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
Debby Hecht is a results-focused, data-driven marketer who combines strategic thinking and in-market execution to deliver business objectives. She comes to CURE Epilepsy with over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and brand management within Fortune 500 companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, PepsiCo, HSBC, and most recently Gallagher. At CURE Epilepsy she leads the Marketing Communications function to build awareness, enhance engagement, and foster new relationships to broaden interest in CURE Epilepsy's mission, to fund patient-focused research and find a cure for epilepsy.
In addition to her corporate experience, Debby has served on non-profit boards such as SHALVA and JCFS and actively volunteers within the Chicago community. Debby holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston and an MBA in Marketing from Columbia University in New York.
Dr. Satinder K. Singh, PhD, is a "researcher-in-residence" on sabbatical leave from Yale University School of Medicine, where she is an Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology. She has had a long-standing interest in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly epilepsy, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This passion is reflected in her neuroscience research at Yale, where she focuses on the structure, function, regulation, and pharmacology of neuronal signaling proteins implicated in these debilitating diseases. Her ultimate goal is to help pave the road toward rational therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Singh's desire to work at CURE Epilepsy stems from her interest in being exposed to the grant funding process, particularly at an organization whose mission she cares about deeply. Dr. Singh has been capitalizing on her knowledge of neuroscience, neuropsychopharmacology, and biochemistry to collaborate with other Research Team members in advancing CURE Epilepsy's scientific endeavors as well as its critical role in the broader epilepsy community. She has found her experiences at CURE Epilepsy to be extremely rewarding since she herself suffers from epilepsy and so has confronted the physical and emotional trauma of violent tonic-clonic seizures, endured the dreadful side effects of multiple anticonvulsants, undergone partially-successful resective neurosurgery, and encountered needless social stigma. Nevertheless, she also views her illness as having afforded her the unique opportunity to bridge two worlds, as a neuroscientist who also happens to be a patient.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- President, Epilepsy Canada
Gary Collins spent 25 years in executive management with an emphasis on sales and marketing, notably with a number of high-tech companies such as Apple Canada and McAfee. In 2008, he formed a management consulting company called 4Growth to help companies grow their business.
In 1985, Gary's life changed when he was suddenly diagnosed with epilepsy. Gary was one of the 70% whose seizures were mostly controlled through medication. However, the cumulative side-effects of his medications became debilitating and had a major impact on his lifestyle.
In 2018, he worked with one of the leading neurologist researchers in Canada, who recommended a change in his medication, since research over the past 30 years had yielded significant changes in epilepsy drugs. In the space of two months, he said, the new research gave him his life back, with zero side effects. His new medication reduced his stress levels, eliminated the ‘fog' he lived with for many years, and allowed him to participate in sports activities that he had given up on.
This change taught him that people with epilepsy need to be their own health advocates, pushing their medical support teams to periodically review their medical profiles and review new methodologies. In 2019, he walked the Camino de Santiago as a personal challenge and for the 360,000 other Canadians who are living with epilepsy. He continues to join projects that will support Epilepsy Canada's efforts to raise funds for epilepsy research.
Job Titles:
- Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacy
Steve White is Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacy at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle, Washington. Prior to that he led the Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program at the University of Utah and is a key contributor to the development of new anti-seizure medications. In the recent past, Dr. White served as the CURE Epilepsy Research Advisor and served on many CURE Epilepsy advisory groups including the Infantile Spasms Initiative Advisory Council and the Post-Traumatic Epilepsy External Advisory Council. He has also been a regular contributor to the CURE Epilepsy scientific review process and is a past CURE Epilepsy grant recipient. He is the recipient of many grants from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and other academic and private institutions. Dr. White serves or has served on industry publication editorial/advisory boards and has published hundreds of articles, books, and manuscripts.
Dr. White has received numerous awards and honors including an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Epilepsy Association, the Lifetime Accelerator Award from the Epilepsy Foundation, Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Field of Epilepsy from the American Epilepsy Society and Ambassador for Epilepsy Award from the International Bureau for Epilepsy/International League Against Epilepsy.
Dr. White has a Baccalaureate degree in Pharmacy and a MS degree in Pharmacology from Idaho State University and a PhD Pharmacology from the University of Utah.
As Development Coordinator, Isobel focuses on database management, processing transactions, assisting with CURE Epilepsy Champion events, and more.
Isobel began her nonprofit journey as a Development Intern at Lincoln Park Community Services. From there she served at the Lincoln Park Zoo as a Learning Research Intern, where she realized her interest in making data and information accessible to a wider audience. She then went on to serve as the Development Associate at the GI Research Foundation, where she began more in-depth work with managing a donor database and identifying prospective donors. CURE Epilepsy's unique, passionate devotion to funding and conducting research are what drew her to this organization.
Dr. Cloyd received a BS in pharmacy from Purdue University and completed the combined PharmD/Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program at the University of Kentucky. In 1976, he joined the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy where he established a clinical practice, designed and taught a neurotherapeutics course, and initiated a research program in clinical neuropharmacology. In 2005 he was appointed to the Lawrence C. Weaver Endowed Chair in Orphan Drug Development and established the Center for Orphan Drug Research, whose mission is drug development for rare pediatric neurological disorders. In the College he has served as Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Associate Dean for Research.
Dr. Cloyd has published 100+ papers and trained 26 PhD students and post-doctoral fellows. He has co-authored 5 orphan drug applications including one for diazepam rectal gel (Diastat®) for which he played a lead role in its development. He is a member of the UMN Academy of Distinguished Teachers, has received the Outstanding Mentoring and Advising Award from the UMN Graduate and Professional Student Association and the UMN Clinical and Translational Science Institute Mentor of the Year Award. He serves on the FDA clinical pharmacology advisory committee and previously was a member of the American Epilepsy Society Board of Directors and the editorial board of Epilepsia. He is a recipient of the J. Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care from the American Epilepsy Society, the Rho Chi Lecture Award, the Summer J. Yaffe Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the American Pharmacist Association Tyler Prize for Stimulation of Research.
John is a Finance and Accounting Executive with 30 years of progressively responsible business experience. This experience was initially grounded in Public Accounting, followed by a lengthy career with Kraft Foods that included a wealth of financial experiences culminating as Chief Financial Officer of a Business Unit. At this stage, John has built significant skills in all aspects of financial strategy, budgeting, accounting and controls as well as analytics. He is now focused on using this skill set to identify and solve key business issues, while managing and improving business and financial processes in a setting where he can truly give back and make a strong difference.
John brings a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan as well as a Masters of Management Studies from the Northwestern Kellogg School of Business.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Video and Graphic Production
As Manager of Video and Graphic Production, John creates content for the CURE Epilepsy community and beyond to raise epilepsy awareness, increase understanding, and tell the world why research funding is so critical. John produces the Seizing Life podcast, as well as educational and promotional content.
John previously worked at The Field Museum and PHD Media. He is also an independent filmmaker with several documentaries to his credit.
He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from New York University and is also a graduate of Tribeca Flashpoint Academy's Film Program.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Social Media and Content Management
Julia-Kaye Rohlf's career has been focused on all aspects of marketing and communications for organizations of all sizes. She has worked on creating digital campaigns, producing and editing video content, producing a podcast, managing social media brand accounts, running social media fundraising campaigns, creating websites, and much more. Julia-Kaye is responsible for further enhancing CURE Epilepsy's social media and content marketing efforts.
Julia-Kaye graduated from the University of Iowa with a major in Journalism and Mass Communication, Theatre, and a minor in English. In her free time, she loves participating in the Chicago theatre scene both on stage and as an audience member.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Retired Finance and Accounting Executive
Kathy McKenna is a retired Finance and Accounting executive with more than 35 years' experience with Mondelez International, Kraft Foods Inc. and a major public accounting firm. Kathy holds a B.S. from Marquette University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Kathy and her husband John live in the Chicago suburbs and have three grown sons, Michael, Thomas, and James. Michael had his first seizure at age 2. His epilepsy quickly progressed to many daily seizures. His development declined, impacted by both the seizures and the numerous medications taken to prevent the seizures. After several medications failed to be effective, Michael began the ketogenic diet. Fortunately, his seizures completely ceased on the diet. After 3.5 years, Michael was weaned off the ketogenic diet. He has been both medication and seizure-free since. Today, Michael is a clinical psychology doctorate student at The Ohio State University.
In gratitude for Michael's success with the ketogenic diet, Kathy supports CURE Epilepsy to help others who need a cure for epilepsy. Kathy has been a volunteer for CURE Epilepsy's Gala and Day of Science as well as a member of the Lay Review Committee. She joined the CURE Epilepsy Finance Committee in September 2018.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- CURE Board Member and Wife to HAMILTON Chicago Star, to Host and Reveal the Everyday Stories of Those Impacted by Epilepsy
Born in St. Louis, MO and raised in Omaha, NE, Kelly attended Northeastern University in Boston where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with concentrations in Organizational Communication and Public Speech. Following Boston, Kelly moved to New York City where she performed as a commercial, television, and film actress. In 2010, Kelly was offered a position working for Riverpark, a Tom Colicchio restaurant, as an events assistant and quickly took over the department selling and coordinating in-house and catered events.
In the Spring of 2016, Kelly's daughter, Adelaide, was diagnosed with epilepsy and Kelly left her job to take over her full-time care. Since arriving in Chicago, Kelly with her husband, Miguel Cervantes, spearheaded their My Shot at Epilepsy fundraising campaign and began a local and national media tour telling their story and raising awareness and money for CURE Epilepsy. Sadly in 2019, after fighting against seizures for 3 years, Adelaide passed away from an unknown neuro-degenerative condition.
Kelly currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, Miguel and their child, Jackson. While this is a club she never wanted to be a part of, Kelly is determined to fight for a cure in memory of her daughter alongside other CURE Epilepsy families.
Kelly Cervantes, CURE board member and wife to HAMILTON Chicago star, to host and reveal the everyday stories of those impacted by epilepsy
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Colorado
Kelly Knupp is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Colorado. She received her medical degree from the University of New Mexico - School of Medicine, completed her residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of New York followed by Pediatric Neurology Residency at Columbia University at Children's Hospital of New York. After her residency, she trained as a Clinical Fellow in Pediatric Epilepsy at the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Knupp now practices at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, Colorado. and is the Associate Research Director of Neuroscience Institute and Director of the Dravet Program. Her interests are epileptic encephalopathies including Dravet Syndrome and infantile spasms. She was a founding member of the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium and continues on the steering committee. This group focuses on developing collaborative research across the country for children with epileptic encephalopathies. She also serves on the medical advisory boards of the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado, Roundup River Ranch, and the Dravet Syndrome Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Partner
Kimberly Borden is a Partner in the Chicago Office of McKinsey and Company. A leader in the Advanced Industries and Automotive practices, she specializes in product development process, organization, footprint and technology. She has experience serving leading Automotive, Industrial and Aerospace clients on issues related to operations and strategy, with a focus on product development, supplier management, and transformational change. Prior to joining McKinsey, she spent 11 years in the Automotive Industry working both for BorgWarner Automotive and DaimlerChrysler.
Kimberly is deeply devoted to advancing diversity, inclusion and equity within and outside McKinsey. She serves on the McKinsey-Kellogg Executive Women's Forum and leads North American efforts to advance inclusion and diversity within the Advanced Industries practice. She also leads McKinsey's Mid-West Women's Initiative, advancing women through sponsorship, advancement, professional development, and bias reduction. She is also active with the Society of Women Engineers, Step-Up (supporting young women in career prep), and various women's support organizations in the Chicago area.
Kimberly holds an MBA, with distinction, from the University of Michigan, an MSE, summa cum laude from Oakland University, and a BSE from the University of Michigan in Mechanical Engineering. In her spare time, she also volunteers for the Lupus Foundation. Kimberly has had epilepsy since she was 10, and while well controlled now, has experienced various breakthrough issues throughout her life, which has helped her understand just how devastating and disruptive living with epilepsy can truly be. She has enjoyed being involved with CURE's Annual Benefit over the past years and 2020 Virtual Event and is passionate about finding cures for epilepsies. Kimberly resides in the Chicago area and loves family adventures with her two children, cooking, running, skiing, and photography.
Dr. Laura Lubbers brings more than 20 years of research experience to her position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at CURE Epilepsy. Prior to joining CURE Epilepsy, she spent 15 years in a large pharmaceutical company as a drug discovery scientist.
Importantly, Dr. Lubbers' sister suffered from intractable epilepsy. The impact of epilepsy on her sister and family inspired her to transition to CURE Epilepsy. As CURE Epilepsy's CSO, she is responsible for developing the organization's research strategy, and overseeing and implementing all research programs which seek to cure epilepsy, not just treat the symptoms. She also contributes to educational activities to increase awareness of epilepsy.
Dr. Lubbers holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology, as well as a MS and PhD in Veterinary Biosciences from The University of Illinois, Urbana.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Research
With over 10 years of neuroscience research and project management experience, Lauren Harte-Hargrove, PhD, is CURE Epilepsy's Associate Director of Research. Dr. Harte-Hargrove is responsible for: providing oversight of CURE Epilepsy's research portfolio and initiatives, scientific support for grantees and staff, and strategic development of epilepsy research at CURE Epilepsy.
Dr. Harte-Hargrove obtained her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis, and her doctorate degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
She began her career as a research scientist at the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in New York, and was most recently the Project Manager of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force.
In 2013, Lisa Cotton's daughter, Vivian, was born prematurely at 27 weeks. The premature birth and resultant brain trauma caused Vivian to develop hydrocephalus, which required the surgical implantation of a shunt.
As a side effect of Vivian's brain trauma and her shunt-treated hydrocephalus, Vivian developed epilepsy.
The Cottons sought out a variety of treatments and medications to control Vivian's seizures. Vivian did experience some success in the two months she was on the ketogenic diet. Her seizures almost disappeared on the diet. Unfortunately, Vivian developed pancreatitis and complications with her shunt, requiring more surgery, and forcing her to discontinue the diet. Vivian's seizures returned, and she spent three months in and out of the ICU before passing away at 18 months of age.
After Vivian's passing, Lisa and her husband Michael vowed to continue fighting for a cure and devoted themselves to helping families struggling with epilepsy. They established the 2016 Vivian L. Cotton Innovator Award for Dr. Akiko Nishyama, as well as The Vivian L. Cotton Pediatric Epilepsy Patient and Family Support Fund. The fund facilitates parent education, ketogenic diet support, technology innovation, and other care and clinical opportunities.
Lisa earned a Certificate in Early Childcare Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Lisa, Michael, and their children live in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
Madeline brings her passion for building relationships and curating memorable, fulfilling event experiences to CURE Epilepsy. She hopes to do her part to further this critical mission and create a better life for those facing an epilepsy diagnosis.
An outgoing and people-focused individual since childhood, Madeline most recently spent time as the Nonprofit Coordinator for Bears Care, the charitable arm of the Chicago Bears, honing her event planning, grantmaking, and nonprofit administration skills. Prior to that, she worked as a Project Manager for Epic Systems Corporation and a Community Relations intern for the Chicago Sky.
Madeline received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Community Leadership (MPA program) from the University of Dayton.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Strategist
Marilynn Kelly Gardner is a visionary, strategist, and passionate advocate for Chicago. As President and CEO of Navy Pier, she has built a strong reputation as one of the city's most respected leaders. During her more than 20-year tenure at Navy Pier, her impact has been significant in the Pier's continued growth and evolution, establishing Navy Pier as a world class cultural destination.
A respected member of civic and professional communities, Marilynn serves in a number of volunteer leadership roles, and was recognized as one of the ‘One Hundred Women to Watch' in Today's Chicago Woman in 2013. Marilynn has been featured on WTTW's Chicago Tonight, Bootstrapping in America, and PBS' Beyond Your Backyard.
A lifelong Chicagoan, Marilynn attended St. Ignatius College Prep on the near west side of Chicago and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Marilynn knows CURE Epilepsy's work well as she is the daughter of one of CURE Epilepsy's founding members and sister to a brother who was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 6 years old.
Matthew ("Matt") Schneider sometimes refers to epilepsy as "the family business" since his wife, son, granddaughter, and son-in-law live with and thankfully often surmount the challenges of living with epilepsy driving him to get involved and stay involved with the epilepsy cause for decades. Matt first joined the CURE Epilepsy research committee and looks forward to serving on the CURE Epilepsy board with particular interest around the genetics of epilepsy and data-driven approaches to finding cure(s).
As a lawyer, Matt has an extensive background as a practicing lawyer, public policy advocate, and law firm manager. Currently, he is a senior principal with the law firm, Foster Garvey, where he works on EPA and FDA regulatory issues with a focus on pesticide regulation. Previously, Matt served in a variety of positions in the federal government including Chief of Staff to a U.S. Senator; Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Director, Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Government Affairs.
Matt previously served on the national board for an epilepsy-focused advocacy organization as well as the boards of local epilepsy affiliates and of a community hospital. Matt is a graduate of Cornell University and the Catholic University Columbus School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Advisory Board Member for Multiple Chicago
- Strategist, Consultant
Michael Axelrod is a strategist, consultant, and expert on business development, strategic positioning, and government relations.
In 2009 Michael founded GPG Strategies, a Chicago-based government affairs and business development firm that specializes in assisting businesses and corporations throughout the United States. He currently operates as Founder and Principal of GPG Strategies.
Michael also serves as an Advisory Board Member for multiple Chicago-based organizations, including Navy Pier. He attended Beloit College and earned a BS in political science in 2005.
As the son of CURE Epilepsy Founder Susan Axelrod, Michael has been instrumental in fundraising for events, such as the annual Chicago Benefit. He is joining CURE Epilepsy's board to further the fight for a cure for people like his sister, who has epilepsy. Michael lives with his wife and two children outside of Chicago, Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Research
Priya Balasubramanian, PhD, is an experienced scientist with an extensive background in clinical and translational research. She is passionate about advancing research programs to rapidly bring new therapies to patients who need them most.
Dr. Balasubramanian obtained her doctorate degree from the University of Southern California, where she trained under Dr. Valter Longo, a world-renowned scientist in the field of aging biology. Her work in Laron Syndrome, or Growth Hormone Receptor Deficiency, led to the significant finding that individuals with this rare growth disorder are highly protected from cancer and diabetes. Collaborating with a team of experts in the growth hormone/IGF-1 field, she was able to further the research community's understanding of the role of this pathway in human aging and disease including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Balasubramanian also led several research projects to translate these findings to the clinic.
In her most recent role at the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, Dr. Balasubramanian managed several patient-focused clinical programs in Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare neuro-developmental disorder. These programs include a clinical study to collect real-world data, building a clinical trial network to make trials more effective for sponsors, patients, and caregivers, and identifying drugs that can be repurposed to treat hyperphagia and obesity in Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Dr. Balasubramanian has extensive experience communicating with scientific, business, and lay audiences. She works on CURE Epilepsy's Research Team to advance our research programs and initiatives while supporting research communications.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Development
Rosemary brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience to CURE Epilepsy. She has held senior positions in a variety of organizations, including the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Catholic Charities, Services for the UnderServed, and others. She offers broad experience in major gifts fundraising, grants management, and volunteer engagement.
She is a graduate of Dartmouth College.
Her interest in CURE Epilepsy and dedication to our mission is rooted in her personal experience living with epilepsy. Rosemary is honored to be a part of the CURE Epilepsy community, working toward funding critical research that will one day lead to a world without epilepsy.
Job Titles:
- Operations Assistant, Research
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager, Lead Generation