The NBDF board of directors works with the president and CEO of the organization to fundraise, oversee strategic planning, and elevate the mission of NBDF.

Amy Dunn

Amy Dunn

Chair, MASAC


Columbus, Ohio

Amy L. Dunn. MD is a Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital/Ohio State University where she is the Director of Pediatric Hematology and directs the Hemophilia Treatment Center. Dr Dunn received her medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio and completed her pediatric and pediatric hematology/oncology training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr Dunn is a member of various professional associations including the American Society of Hematology, World Federation of Hemophilia, The International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, the International Prophylaxis Study Group and the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society (HTRS). She is the Vice-President of the World Federation of Hemophilia, USA and the Chair of MASAC for the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. Dr Dunn has also received multiple awards, including the US News and World Report Top Doctors, and was the National Hemophilia Foundation Physician of the Year for 2020.

Derick Stace-Naughton

Derick Stace-Naughton


Los Angeles, California

Derick serves as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Operations, at Quixote Studios, a private equity-backed entertainment services company. Derick joined Quixote Studios from Production Resource Group, where he served as Chief Operating Officer of the firm's entertainment business. Derick has also worked for Dr. Condoleezza Rice and for the Boston Consulting Group, where he was a Consultant in the Media and Technology practice.

Derick earned an MBA from Stanford University, an MSc from the University of Ulster, and a BA from Georgetown University.  

James R. Christensen, Jr.

James R. Christensen, Jr.


Omaha, Nebraska

A lifelong Omaha, Nebraska resident, Jim Christensen was born with severe hemophilia A. Much of his childhood was spent in the hospital, as infusion was not allowed unless administered by medical staff.  Mobility was only possible if he was in a wheelchair or on crutches. But at age 18, he was the first hemophiliac in the country to undergo a total knee replacement, which was life-changing. Suddenly, he could drive a car and experience a taste of personal freedom. He hasn’t slowed down since, in fact, Jim enjoys most anything he can drive as fast as possible, including snowmobiles, cars and boats.

Jim is remarkable, because rather than view his life-threatening disease as a negative, it motivates his existence. He has been a financial advisor for 41 years and is the owner of inSOURCE Financial Advisors with offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. Jim loves his work and helping families plan for the unexpected as well as the inevitable. Today, inSOURCE is recognized in five complementary fields: inSOURCE Inc., inSOURCE Benefits Group, inSOURCE Financial Advisors, inSOURCE Real Estate and inSOURCERx.

Throughout life, Jim has served many organizations: National Hemophilia Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Open Door Mission and Siena Francis House (homeless shelters in Omaha), United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County, Million Dollar Roundtable Foundation, Project Inform—HIV and hepatitis C advocacy group and the O-Club at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Jim and his wife, Sarah Pappas, have three adult children, Alexis, Julian and Cole. When Jim can get away from the office, he and Sarah head to their cabin at Lake of the Ozarks, with their spunky miniature schnauzers in tow.

Joseph J. Helfert II

Joseph J. Helfert II


Syosset, New York

September 2011 marked the opening of JJH Employer Services, a brokerage firm founded by Joseph J. Helfert II that specializes in Corporate Insurance and HR Administrative Solutions. With 30 years of experience, Joe’s vision behind building his own firm was to create his own unique service platform to assist employers with the dramatic changes being implemented in both the Insurance and Financial industries.

Before branching out on his own, Joe served as Managing Director of Business Development at a top 50 nationally ranked brokerage firm. He was an integral member of the Corporate Development team, with expertise in business development, marketing, and strategic client development.

Joe began his career as an Investment Advisor in the Securities Industry immediately following his graduation from the State University of New York College at Oneonta where he obtained his Bachelors Degree in Business Economics in 1991.

Joe is very active in the Employee Benefits, Property/Casualty and Retirement Plan Industry. He has served as an Executive Member of the Counsel of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) based out of Washington DC, a Member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) and a Registered Representative of FINRA.

Joe currently resides in Syosset, New York, with his wife Michelle, son Joseph and daughter Julia Rose.

Kai Brown

Kai Brown


San Francisco, California

Kai Brown serves as Senior Director, Worldwide Commercial in the Cardiovascular franchise at Bristol Myers Squibb. Kai started her career as a Staff Biologist at Merck before taking on various roles of increasing scope and responsibility within the areas of Business Development, Pipeline Strategy, and Marketing at several well-known Bay Area biotech companies. She brings a deep passion for science, research, and serving communities.

Kai earned an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Master’s in Biotechnology from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and a Bachelor’s from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Lisa R. Pitler


Chicago, Illinois

Eileen San Juan

Maria Eileen San Juan


Freehold, New Jersey

Eileen San Juan has been working as a physical therapist and director of rehabilitation in various clinical settings for over 20 years and owns Count On ME Therapy and Wellness Services, LLC. She has worked in the field of rare blood conditions for the past 15 years at the Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Center at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York, New York, and previously at The Blood Research Institute of Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.  Within this community, Eileen has also served as a committee chairperson for the Region II Physical Therapy Task Force and as a member in the National Hemophilia Foundation's Physical Therapy Working Group. 

She has offered several health, wellness, and holistic lectures, articles, and interactive courses for hospitals, NYCHC, NBDF (formerly NHF), HANY, HFA, and HANJ. 

Eileen holds a Master of Science degree in physical therapy from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Kean University, and certifications in massage therapy and Reiki. 

Eileen firmly believes that healthcare is a calling, and her mission is to serve and educate the community by making each person's treatment as unique and individualized as that person and utilize the comprehensive team approach to do so. 

Eileen enjoys practicing yoga, finding places in NJ "off the beaten path" to walk or run, spending time with her family and dog, singing as a cantor in her place of worship and, of course, working in the rare blood community for the last 15 years, a place she has called home. 

Paulette Bryant

Paulette Bryant, MD

Board Secretary


Charlotte, North Carolina

Paulette Bryant, MD is a Pediatric Hematologist–Oncologist at the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC.  She serves as the Physician Lead of the Pediatric Hematology Division and is the Pediatric Medical Director of the Hemophilia Treatment Center.  She is the local Principal Investigator for the St. Jude Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention study (SCCRIP) and the PCORI Sickle Cell Trevor Thompson Sickle Cell Grant (ST3P-UP).   Her clinical interests include bleeding and thrombotic disorders and sickle cell disease.

She attended Harvard Medical School after completing her studies at Hampton University in Hampton Virginia. She completed her pediatric training at Naval Hospital Oakland (Oakland, CA) and her pediatric hematology and oncology training at Children’s Hospital of Stanford (Palo Alto, CA) Dr. Bryant is a retired Navy Captain and served as Chair of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia.

Dr. Bryant is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric hematology/oncology and general pediatrics.  She is actively working to improve the health of the Charlotte community and has served on several local boards including Project Life Movement, Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, and the Girls Scouts, Hornet’s Nest Council.  She is a recipient of the United States Navy Meritorious Service Award, the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award and the Charlotte Business Journal Physician of the Year Award. Throughout her years in Charlotte, she has repeatedly received the Charlotte Magazine Top Doctors recognition.

Peter Kouides

Peter Kouides, MD

HTRS Liaison


Rochester, New York

Peter Kouides, MD is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical School and Medical and Research Director at the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center, New York. Dr. Kouides graduated from State University of New York at Syracuse with a medical degree, following a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Syracuse University. His clinical expertise lies in the field of hemostasis and thrombosis, where his research interests include the study of bleeding and thrombotic disorders in women. Dr. Kouides has received multiple awards throughout his career, including the Teaching Award at the University of Rochester Primary Care Program in Internal Medicine on three separate occasions. In 2009, he received the National Hemophilia Foundation Physician of the Year Award and in 2010 the Rochester General Hospital Father Norton Award (Physician of the Year). Dr. Kouides has published more than 160 articles in peer-reviewed journals, holds editorial positions for various journals, and is a member of multiple National Advisory and Health Councils and Research Review Committees including the American Society of Hematology Clinical Practice Committee and the Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorders mentoring committee. He is past president of the Thrombosis Hemostasis Societies of North America. He also led two twining partnerships with Kyrgyzstan and Nepal respectively through the World Federation of Haemophilia and serves on their Twinning committee.

Ryan Griffith

Ryan Griffith

Board Treasurer


Charlotte, North Carolina

Ryan Griffith is the co-founder and owner operator of Social Pet Hotel & Daycare, Carolina Socials Catering, and Marble Slab Creamery franchises in North and South Carolina.  With more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Ryan oversees business development, strategic planning, operations, project management, and creating and implementation of marketing initiatives.  Ryan holds an undergraduate degree in business management from the University of Tennessee.  He has extensive experience in fundraising and volunteering with various organizations in his local community. Ryan lives in Charlotte, NC, with his son, Kai, who has Severe Hemophilia A with an inhibitor.

Scott Martin

Scott Martin

Board Chair


Houston, Texas

Scott Martin is a private investor based in Houston, Texas. He has a son with severe hemophilia and has worked to improve the lives of people with bleeding disorders by supporting the Lone Star Chapter. In addition, he co-founded Inspiration Biopharmaceutical, a factor manufacturing company that initiated two products that today are owned and marketed by Shire and Aptevo. Scott was also co-founder of Martin Midstream Partners (NASDAQ; MMLP) and serves on several non-profit and profit boards.

Scott Miller

Scott Miller


Erie, Pennsylvania

Scott is currently the Dean of the School of Business at Edinboro University. He has held numerous leadership positions including the Chair of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority. He also is a practicing attorney focusing on tax, estate, and complex business transactions. Scott's observations are that NBDF does a good job in dealing with new families, and helping guide our youth through the challenges of living with Hemophilia. He believes that as our population ages, we can do a better job at offering programs and guidance relating to the numerous new challenges that one faces with age. These included, but were not limited to, topics like health insurance, retirement planning, and financial concerns associated with managing their health and wellbeing. Scott has extensive leadership and board experience. He held many leadership positions on the Board of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter since 1997.

Susan Hartmann

Susan Hartmann


Annapolis, Maryland

Susan serves as Program Director at Enterprise Community Partners in Washington, DC, a national non-profit leader in community development and affordable housing. She has extensive experience in public sector consulting, community engagement, economic development and urban planning. She began her career in education in 1996, and has teaching and program management experience in secondary, post-secondary and higher education. Her husband has severe hemophilia A and is a long-time HIV survivor. Susan is a national advocate for HIV education, reproductive rights and an end to HIV stigma. She has been featured in The Washington Post, CNN, Babycenter.com, HemAware Magazine and Positively Negative: Love Pregnancy and Science's Surprising Victory Over HIV (Boerner, 2014)

In 2015 she began volunteering with the National Hemophilia Foundation Bleeding Disorders Conference Planning Committee where she helped develop and launch the conference's Spouse/Partner Track. She was a 2018 and 2019 co-chair of the NHF Bleeding Disorders Conference. Susan earned a Masters in City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in History and Development Studies from Smith College. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter.

Ziva Mann

Ziva Mann


Newton Center, Massachusetts

Ziva has worked with systems, organizations, communities and people for the past 15+ years to improve or transform the way that they work. Ziva believes firmly in sustainable, data-driven solutions co-designed by leadership, frontline staff, consumers and communities. Her work has focused on improving health, wellbeing and equity through improvement science, human centered design and shared, generative leadership. Ziva has worked with a safety net healthcare systems, the Mayo Clinic's KER Unit, Harvard's Center for Primary Care, nonprofits such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and communities across the US. Ziva is currently the Director of Assessment and Development at Ascent Leadership Networks, faculty at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and a founding member of the leadership team for 100 Million Healthier Lives.

Ziva holds a BA from Barnard and a MA from Harvard. She is a member of NEHA's New England Bleeding Disorders Advocacy Coalition, and lives in Massachusetts with her husband, her son and daughter, and a fridge full of clotting factor.