Staff
Meet the people behind the mission!
Sara Loud
Chief Executive Officer
Robert McBurney
Chief Research Officer
Hollie Schmidt
Vice President of Scientific Operations
David Gwynne
Director of Alliances and Collaborations
Jordan Caines
Program Manager
Mark Gilliland
Program Manager
Jennifer Hill
Project Manager
Grace Okafor
Clinical Trials Manager
Lindsey Santiago
Development Associate
Jan Weaver
Operations Manager
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors plays an integral role in providing operational and financial oversight for ACP. We are grateful to our Board members for sharing their talents and time with us. Our members represent a wide range of professionals with the singular desire to see MS cured.
Patrick Curley, Board Chair
Managing Partner, Curley Law Firm, LLP
Lisa Buettner
Founder, President, and Senior Consultant, Anchor Consulting, LLC
Kristy dosReis
Director of Communications, Brown University
Melanie Drayton
Vice President Regulatory Affairs, Vaxart, Inc.
Aakruti Gorde
Senior Director of Program and Portfolio Management, Sana Technology
Deepak Grover
Director of Computational Biology, Affinia Therapeutics
Linda Kanner
(Retired) Principal, Orchard Group
Michael Middlebrook
Investment Analyst, Holocene Advisors
Governance of iConquerMS
The iConquerMS people-powered research network was designed and developed, and operates with the guidance of people diagnosed with MS, caregivers, researchers, healthcare providers, funders, and representatives from other MS organizations. Their commitment to serving on the iConquerMS governance ensures the Network reflects the needs and priorities of the MS community.
iConquerMS Governing Board
The Governing Board provides oversight as to the strategic direction, impact, and financial sustainability of the iConquerMS initiative. The Governing Board members include:
- Emily Blosberg*
- Dimika Cavalier*
- Lisa Emrich*
- Fiona Hoey*
- Ann Marie Johnson*
- Linda Kanner*
- Laura Kolaczkowski
- Joe Laferrera*
- Sara Loud
- Robert McBurney
- Peter Riskind, M.D., PhD
- Heather Siefers* (Chair)
- Jon Strum
- Bari Talente
iConquerMS Engagement Committee
The Engagement Committee supports the activities associated with the recruitment and engagement of a diverse membership into iConquerMS. The Engagement Committee Members include:
- Natalie Blake
- Matt Allen Gonzales*
- Alexis Crispino Kline
- Nicholas LaRocca, PhD
- Sara Loud (Co-Chair)
- Yahaira Rivera
- Lindsey Santiago*
- Tracy Todd*
- Anita Williams* (Co-Chair)
- Teresa Wright-Johnson*
iConquerMS Research Committee
The Research Committee reviews and approves the research and research-related activities that are conducted via iConquerMS. The Research Committee members include:
- Farren Briggs
- Shawn Feliciano* (Co-Chair)
- Yolanda Hardy*
- Farrah Mateen
- Sarah Minden
- Louise Palmer
- Jeanine M. Palumbo
- Rob Poh*
- Hollie Schmidt (Co-Chair)
- Kara Skorupa
- Amanda Windhof*
* Person with MS
Additional Steering Committees and Councils
In addition to the Governing Board, Engagement Committee and Research Committee, the iConquerMS initiative is guided by the following committees and councils:
