OUR

LEADERSHIP AND BOARDS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mike Morris

President

Blake Moore

Vice President

Kara Cameron

Treasurer

Kasha Morris

Secretary

David Longman

Board Member

Giorgio Pochettino

Board Member

Seema Lalani, MD

Board Member

Michael Sacher, PHD

Board Member

Thomas Kim

Board Member

FOUNDATION TEAM MEMBERS

Ann Geffen,
M.A., J.D.

Executive
Director

Ann Geffen serves as the TANGO2 Research Foundation’s inaugural Executive Director. With a strategic vision, she directs the Foundation’s goals and oversees its daily functions, including marketing, operations, programs, and financial management. Ann plays a pivotal role in both the recruitment and engagement of international key stakeholders and volunteers to serve families located in over 30 countries. She spearheads the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives and propels the foundation’s research-funding mission.

Prior to the TANGO2 Research Foundation, Ann was instrumental at several national nonprofit organizations including the March of Dimes, managing numerous accounts as a National Corporate Account Manager and Executive Director. Notably, she oversaw their largest national partner, amassing contributions of over $6 million annually. Her 14+ year nonprofit journey also encompasses roles at the American Heart Association and American Lung Association, where she championed fundraising and drove community engagement initiatives for thousands of volunteers in Central Florida.

In addition, Ann holds a Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Southern California.

She lives in Winter Garden, Florida with her husband, Dr. Joseph Geffen, and their two young children.

Deena Chisholm, MPH, CHES

Research Engagement Director

As our Research Engagement Director, Deena plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing the foundation’s strategic plans for research and grant activities, ensuring alignment with TANGO2 Research Foundation’s objectives. She also builds and maintains relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, such as researchers, clinicians, patient families, and the broader research community. Deena oversees the continuous evaluation and refinement of the foundation’s research operations ensuring that the Foundation consistently operates at the forefront of the field.

Prior to joining the TANGO2 Research Foundation, Deena spent over a decade with large, complex health care systems and non-profit organizations developing and leading research, public health and education initiatives. She is experienced in developing and implementing community health education, tools, programs and interventions that promote engagement, optimal health & wellness. 

Deena is skilled in grant, program and project management, multivariate statistical analysis, qualitative research methods and Community-based participatory research (CBPR). She holds a Master’s in Public Health from West Chester University. Additionally, she was inducted into the Beta Xi Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society of Public Health and became certified as a Health Education Specialist by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

Deena currently resides in Delaware with her husband and two children. In her free time she enjoys taking fitness classes like cardio-kickboxing and spin, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and reading.

Annie Kofoed

Research Project Coordinator

Annie serves as our Research Project Coordinator supporting our efforts related to the Eugene Washington Engagement Award, granted by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Annie is a high-honors graduate of Utah Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Studies of Psychology and Business Management. Her university experience and student employee work in institutional research kindled her love for thoughtful, evidence-based research, and she has since built a career in project management. As a new member of the team, Annie is excited to channel her diverse talents, passion for advocacy, and expertise in operational management toward advancing the mission of the TANGO2 Research Foundation, ensuring its resounding success.

ADVISORY BOARDS

SCIENTIFIC
ADVISORY BOARD

Cheyenne Beach, MD
Yale School of Medicine

Samuel Mackenzie, MD, PHD
University of Rochester

Jerry Vockley, MD, PHD, FACMG
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Christina Miyake, MD, MS
Baylor College of Medicine

Donna McDonald-Mcginn, MS, LCGC
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Elizabeth Ames, MD, PHD
University of Michigan

Nicolas J. Abreu, MD
New York University

Madeline Chadehumbe, MD, FAAN 
University of Pennsylvania & Neurabilities healthcare

Vandana Gupta, PHD
Harvard University, Brigham and women’s hospital

Michael Sacher, PHD
Concordia University, Canada

Hortense de Calbiac, PHD
Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM). France

CLINICAL
ADVISORY BOARD

Christina Miyake, MD, MS

Cheyenne M. Beach, MD

Lina Ghaloul Gonzalez, MD

David P. Harris, MD

Seema Lalani, MD

Pascale de Lonlay, MD

Samuel Mackenzie, MD, PhD

Josh Meisner, MD, PhD

Lilei Zhang, MD, PhD