Meet the individuals who are dedicated to our mission of improving the lives of people with inheritable blood and bleeding disorders through research, education, and advocacy.

Join the team

President and CEO

Leonard Valentino

Leonard Valentino, MD


President & Chief Executive Officer

mail  lvalentino@hemophilia.org

Glenview, IL

For over three decades I treated families with bleeding disorders, working towards finding better treatments for patients and preventing complications of their disorders through education, advocacy, and research. My work was most gratifying when I could help someone realize his or her full potential, living a life not limited by a diagnosis or its complications. Diagnosing and treating boys and girls, men and women, parents, grandparents and family members was fulfilling personally and professionally. Conducting clinical and laboratory research helped me to understand how to develop and elevate treatments to new levels, seeking cures and improving the quality of life for everyone in the bleeding disorders community. I have spent time in the biopharmaceutical industry trying to understand how to bring new therapies to patients globally. My past experiences as a physician, educator, researcher, and an industry partner have all focused on treating patients and their families and have provided me with the experiences and knowledge to take on this challenging role as the President and CEO for the National Hemophilia Foundation, a role I take on behalf of the entire bleeding disorders community and one that I see as the pinnacle of my career – serving you. 

The landscape of the bleeding disorders community is changing and there are challenges ahead. Gene therapy and novel technologies and treatments bring new opportunities, and many questions as well. We will face these challenges together, working jointly to find solutions. Through collaboration with patients, families, chapters, partners, supporters, medical professionals, patient organizations, government agencies, and all stakeholders in the bleeding disorders community, everything is possible. I believe in unity, and my past leadership roles in these areas put us in a unique position to move forward in ways we haven’t had the opportunity to do so ever before. To unlock our greatest potential in such an exciting time we must all support each other – this is what will define our success.

This is an exciting time for the bleeding disorders community as research is progressing forward in unimaginable ways, but there is still more to be done. This is why one of my primary objectives will be to increase our funding to support innovative research on new therapies, and then educating stakeholders on these advancements. Advocating on behalf of those impacted by bleeding disorders with our legislators locally and in Washington D.C. for better access, including access to care, to treatment centers, to physicians, and to new treatments will be ever more important.

I look forward to working with you in our joint pursuit to improve the outcomes for our community.

Officers

Dawn Rotellini

Dawn Rotellini

She, Her, Hers


Chief Operating Officer

mail  drotellini@hemophilia.org

Gibsonia, PA

Dawn has been a leader in the bleeding disorders community for many years.  As a parent of a son with hemophilia, she founded the Rocky Mountain Hemophilia & Bleeding Disorders Association in Bozeman, Montana, served as its Executive Director, and began their Family Camp. After moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dawn worked for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as an Area Manager. Concurrently, she served as a board member for the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania for six years. Dawn left the ADA for a position as the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the NHF in Pittsburgh, where she became actively involved with Camp Hot to Clot and eventually became the Director. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Montana State University in Bozeman.

Michael Recht

Michael Recht, MD, PhD, MBA

He, Him, His


Chief Medical and Scientific Officer

mail  mrecht@hemophilia.org

,

Dr. Michael Recht entered the role of Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at the foundation in early 2023.

Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Science Officer (CSO) of the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN).  As ATHN's CSO, Dr. Recht worked at the strategic and policy level to inform the scientific direction of the organization. 

In addition to his role as ATHN's CSO, Dr. Recht, a pediatric hematologist and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, sees children and young adults affected by non-malignant blood conditions, particularly bleeding and clotting disorders. As a member of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, he contributes to the care of children with blood disorders at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital.

Before assuming his role as ATHN's CSO, Dr. Recht was previously the director of the Hemophilia Center at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR as well as the director of the Mountain States Hemophilia Network, the federally-supported collaboration of Hemophilia Treatment Centers in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Dr. Recht has actively participated in over 110 clinical research trials testing new treatments for children with bleeding and clotting disorders, including being a leader in research involving gene therapy for hemophilia.

Peter Harvey

Peter Harvey, MBA

He, Him, His


Chief Business Officer

mail  pharvey@hemophilia.org

,

Peter Harvey serves as the Chief Business Officer for NHF including oversight for finance & accounting, business development, conference & travel services, payer relations, and IT. Peter is a senior healthcare finance and operations executive with diverse experience in healthcare nonprofit finance & accounting, pharma/biotech HEOR and medical affairs business operations, academic medical/pediatric department and Hemophilia Treatment Center administration, plus PM&R medical practice and research foundation executive leadership. Peter has volunteered at a number of non-profits and is a founding volunteer board member of a nonprofit providing education and humanitarian support to children and families in Mariani, Haiti. He has a B.A. in Biology from Augustana College and a M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business in Finance and Healthcare.

Advancement

Brett Spitale

Brett Spitale

He, Him, His


Vice President of Advancement

mail  bspitale@hemophilia.org

Pittsburgh, PA

Brett is an innovative nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare nonprofit field. As the Vice President of Advancement, Brett leads theNHF's development, communications, marketing, and walk programs. Brett possesses significant experience in fundraising, including annual fund programs, major gifts, corporate and foundation development, special event fundraising, capital campaigns, and planned giving efforts. He has created and managed successful communications initiatives, including marketing, media relations and social media development, along with board governance and structure. Brett previously held leadership positions at Autism Speaks, The Alzheimer's Association, The ARC, The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and the American College of Cardiology. He is also actively involved with the American Society of Association Executives, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and Board Source. Brett attended George Mason University, where he completed his undergraduate and graduate work in communications and public administration.

  • Abby Miller

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Abby Miller
    Production and Creative Services Specialist
    mail amiller@hemophilia.org
  • Ashley Dawkins

    Ashley Dawkins
    Grants Administrator
    mail adawkins@hemophilia.org
  • Carrie L. Strehlau

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Interim Director of Communications
    mail cstrehlau@hemophilia.org
  • Chloe Fellwock

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Chloe Fellwock
    Communications Assistant
    mail cfellwock@hemophilia.org
  • Jay Patel
    ,
    MS

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Jay Patel
    Senior Director of Online Marketing
    mail jpatel@hemophilia.org
  • Katie Cooper

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Katie Cooper
    Senior Director of Stakeholder Relations
    mail kcooper@hemophilia.org
  • Lisa Colquhoun
    ,
    MSML

    Lisa Colquhoun
    Manager of Foundation Relations
    mail lcolquhoun@hemophilia.org
  • Mariana Halova
    ,
    MS

    Mariana Halova
    Database Marketing Manager
    mail mhalova@hemophilia.org
  • Megan Slattery

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Donor Engagement Specialist
    mail mslattery@hemophilia.org
  • Serena Crawford

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Serena Crawford
    Marketing and Communications Specialist
    mail scrawford@hemophilia.org
  • Teecee Hutcherson

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Senior Director of Corporate Relations
    mail thutcherson@hemophilia.org
  • Vincent Price

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Vincent Price
    Web Marketing Specialist
    mail vprice@hemophilia.org

Chapter Development

Michael Craciunoiu

Michael Craciunoiu, M.Ed, PCC

He, Him, His


Vice President of Chapter Services

mail  mcraciunoiu@hemophilia.org

,

  • Alana Stracuzzi

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Chapter Development Specialist
    mail astracuzzi@hemophilia.org
  • Kenneth McElderry

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Kenneth McElderry
    Director of Chapter Development
    mail kmcelderry@hemophilia.org
  • Mary Lou Warner

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Manager of National Chapter Operations
    mail mwarner@hemophilia.org
  • Nick Kallinicou

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Nick Kallinicou
    Manager of Chapter Development
    mail nkallinicou@hemophilia.org
  • Patti Williford

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Chapter Advancement Specialist
    mail pwilliford@hemophilia.org

Conference & Travel Services

Maria M. Salas-Pilla

Maria Salas-Pilla, HMCC, DES


Vice President of Conference & Travel Services

mail  msalas@hemophilia.org

New York, NY

  • Ciarra de Leon

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Ciarra de Leon
    Conference & Travel Services Specialist
    mail cdeleon@hemophilia.org
  • Johanna Ong
    ,
    CMP, HMCC, DES

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Johanna Ong
    Manager of Conference & Travel Services
    mail jong@hemophilia.org
  • Mariana Peña

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Mariana Peña
    Conference & Travel Services Coordinator
    mail mpena@hemophilia.org

Education

Kate Nammacher

Kate Nammacher, MPH

She, Her, Hers


Vice President of Education

mail  knammacher@hemophilia.org

New York, NY

  • Brendan Hayes
    ,
    MPH, CPH

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Brendan Hayes
    Senior Director of Education, Innovative Therapies
    mail bhayes@hemophilia.org
  • Heather Hicks
    ,
    MPH

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Heather Hicks
    Manager of Education
    mail hhicks@hemophilia.org
  • Jasmine Pauldurai

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Jasmine Pauldurai
    Education Specialist
    mail jpauldurai@hemophilia.org
  • Katherine Cabrera

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Katherine Cabrera
    Bilingual Education Specialist
    mail kcabrera@hemophilia.org
    place , NC
  • Lena Volland
    ,
    PT, PhD(c)

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Lena Volland
    Director of Education
    mail lvolland@hemophilia.org
  • Natalia Winberry
    ,
    MNLM

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Natalia Winberry
    Manager of Education
    mail nwinberry@hemophilia.org
  • Nikole Scappe-Hagen

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Nikole Scappe
    Manager of Education
    mail nscappe@hemophilia.org
  • Ryan Fisher Sarshuri

    (
    She, They
    )
    Education Specialist
    mail rsarshuri@hemophilia.org
  • Sonia Roger

    Sonia Roger
    Education Specialist
    mail sroger@hemophilia.org

Finance and Administration

  • Adeli Lopez
    ,
    PHR, SHRM-CP

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Adeli Lopez
    Senior Director, Human Resources
    mail alopez@hemophilia.org
  • Anna Sprovskaya
    ,
    MS

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Anna Sprovskaya
    Controller
    mail asprovskaya@hemophilia.org
  • Annie Wong
    ,
    EA, MS

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Annie Wong
    Senior Accountant
    mail awong@hemophilia.org
  • Elizabeth Siena

    Elizabeth Siena
    Contracts Manager
    mail esiena@hemophilia.org
  • Emelyn Guevara

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Emelyn Guevara
    Recruitment & HR Specialist
    mail eguevara@hemophilia.org
  • Frenil Dand

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Frenil Dand
    Director of Information Technology
    mail fdand@hemophilia.org
  • Jenny Tran

    Jenny Tran
    Staff Accountant II
    mail jtran@hemophilia.org
  • Karina Lopez
    ,
    MPH

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Karina Lopez
    Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) Program Specialist
    mail klopez@hemophilia.org
  • Olga Jouravleva
    ,
    MS

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Olga Jouravleva
    Senior Accounting Financial Analyst
    mail ojouravleva@hemophilia.org
  • Peter Lieuw

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Peter Lieuw
    Associate Controller
    mail plieuw@hemophilia.org
  • Tim Brent
    ,
    MBA

    Tim Brent
    Senior Director of Business Development
    mail tbrent@hemophilia.org

Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Keri L. Norris

Keri L. Norris, PhD, JM, MPH, MCHES

She, Her, Hers


Vice President of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

mail  knorris@hemophilia.org

,

  • Marissa Melton
    ,
    MPH

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Marissa Melton
    Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Program Specialist
    mail mmelton@hemophilia.org

Medical Programs and Information

Neil Frick

Neil Frick, MS

He, Him, His


Senior Vice President for Medical Programs and Information

mail  nfrick@hemophilia.org

New York, NY

Responsible for the overall strategic and operational leadership of the National Hemophilia Foundation's (NHF) medical programs and HANDI Information Resource Center including oversight of the processes of material development, update and distribution channels. Supervise the awarding of clinical fellowships and other health care provider awards. Support the work of NHF's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council and supervise NHF's continuing education program serving bleeding disorders treatment professionals. This includes the development of healthcare provider publications, pre-conference symposium and medical program tracks at NHF's Bleeding Disorders Conference and webinars.

  • Angelina Wang

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Angelina Wang
    Director of Medical Programs and Information
    mail awang@hemophilia.org
  • Anna Laurent

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Anna Laurent
    Medical Programs & Information Coordinator
    mail alaurent@hemophilia.org
  • Jonathan Angarola

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Jonathan Angarola
    Senior Manager of Medical Programs & Information
    mail jangarola@hemophilia.org
  • Marci Hardy
    ,
    PhD, MA

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Marci Hardy
    Manager of Medical Education Grants
    mail mhardy@hemophilia.org
  • Morgan Johnson
    ,
    MPA, CAE

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Morgan Johnson
    Manager of Healthcare Provider Programs
    mail mjohnson@hemophilia.org

Public Policy & Access

Nathan Schaefer

Nathan Schaefer, MSW

He, Him, His


Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Access

Chicago, IL

mail  nschaefer@hemophilia.org

  • Bill Robie

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Bill Robie
    Director, State Government Relations
    mail brobie@hemophilia.org
  • Josie Gamez

    Josie Gamez
    Government Relations Manager
    mail jgamez@hemophilia.org
  • Matthew Delaney

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Matt Delaney
    Government Relations Specialist
    mail mdelaney@hemophilia.org

National Chapter Staff

  • Chelsea Hilty

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Chelsea Hilty
    Executive Director
    mail chilty@hemophilia.org
  • Danielle Bell

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Danielle Bell
    Program Manager
    mail dbell@hemophilia.org
  • Dominic Testa

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Executive Director
    mail dtesta@hemophilia.org
  • Hanna Beary

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Hanna Beary
    Senior Chapter Program Manager
    mail hbeary@hemophilia.org
  • Jacob Murdock

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Jacob Murdock
    Executive Director
    mail jmurdock@hemophilia.org
  • Kristen Dansereau

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Administrative Assistant
    mail kdansereau@hemophilia.org
    place , WV
  • Kyra Calbero

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Kyra Calbero
    Chapter Program Manager
    mail kcalbero@hemophilia.org
    place , HI
  • Marlyn Walker

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Marlyn Walker
    Executive Director
    mail mwalker@hemophilia.org
  • Maureen Grace
    ,
    MPA

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Maureen Grace
    Senior Chapter Executive Director
    mail mgrace@hemophilia.org
  • Perry Jowsey III

    Perry Jowsey III
    Chapter Executive Director
    mail pjowsey@hemophilia.org
  • Sarah Arrieta
    ,
    MA

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Sarah Arrieta
    Senior Chapter Program Manager
    mail sarrieta@hemophilia.org
  • Stephanie Dupree

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Stephanie Dupree
    Development Manager
    mail sdupree@hemophilia.org

Research

Maria Santaella

Maria E. Santaella, PhD(c), MSN, RN-BC, CPHON

She, Her, Hers


Vice President of Research Strategy

mail  msantaella@hemophilia.org

Miami, FL

  • Joynita (Joie) Willis

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Joynita Willis
    Research Grants Administrator
    mail jwillis@hemophilia.org
  • Matt Hartnett

    (
    He, Him, His
    )
    Matt Hartnett
    Community Research Network Manager
    mail mhartnett@hemophilia.org
  • Naomi Miller

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Naomi Brisard
    Programs & Partnership Specialist
    mail nmiller@hemophilia.org
  • Samantha Carlson
    ,
    MSW, LMSW

    (
    She, Her, Hers
    )
    Samantha Carlson
    Senior Manager of Research Programs and Partnerships
    mail scarlson@hemophilia.org