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Our Team

Jacinta M. Behne, M.A.

Executive Director, The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation
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In 12+ years with The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation (GJCF), Mrs. Behne has built a team-driven infrastructure dedicated to curing Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), by: a) funding critical path research, b) connecting global communities of researchers, industries, and patients, and c) launching laser-focused programs. Her specific expertise is in leadership and program development, budget planning and management. She worked with three launch teams at NASA centers for over a decade, including researchers, engineers, and public information officers. There she refined processes and protocols for reaching out to stakeholders through the World Wide Web, national conferences, print materials, and media applications. Prior to joining the foundation, Mrs. Behne serves as senior director of a research and education program at Scripps Research Institute. Mrs. Behne is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). She has co-authored publications on NMO study outcomes as well as the importance of building and delivering effective education and public outreach programs. She received her Bachelor of Arts with licensing in Secondary Education at Washburn University, Topeka, KS; licensing in Gifted Education at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS; and Master of Arts in Communication at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Daniel W. Behne MARCH

Director of Operations
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Dan is one of the few who has been involved in every facet of the foundation since its inception in 2008. As a result, Dan continues to have unrelenting love and affection to its cause. Currently, Dan provides operations oversight, grant writing and project management to plan, organize and manage resources from conception to completion.

Brian Coords, M.A.

Senior Manager - New Media
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After a diverse background in media, design, writing, and education, Brian began working with the foundation in 2015. In his role as the New Media Manager, Brian provides leadership and project management for media projects including the foundation's website, smartphone app, conference events, and other various print and digital materials.

Megan Kenneally Behne

Manager - Research Relations & Contracts
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Megan has been with the foundation since 2009. Her administrative background with the foundation and beyond has led to her current role as Research Relations and Contracts Manager. In this role, Megan provides management for the International Clinical Consortium (ICC), the research contract portfolio and foundation hosted events as well as handles communications with the entire NMO research community.

Lisa McDaniel

Director of Patient Advocacy
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Lisa has been with the foundation since 2013. Her extensive experience with NMO as a caregiver and her interaction with the NMO patient community has led to her current role of Director of Patient Advocacy. Lisa provides valued insight within various NMO support groups and leads the GJCF Advocacy Team on patient projects. She handles communication with the NMO community and represents the foundation in raising awareness through educational events with patients as well clinicians.

Reneé Rodriguez

Senior Project Coordinator
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Reneé joined the foundation in 2013. She brings a wealth of experience from previous positions as a Conference Manager at a mid-sized law firm and owner of small couture business. As Senior Project Coordinator, Reneé is a coordinator extraordinaire providing calendar management, conference logistics, administrative support, and the fineness to keep the gears of the foundation moving forward.

Maoloude Toure

Global Ambassador
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Born and raised in Senegal, West Africa, Maoloude Fall Touré is a former professional rugby player and swimmer, proud veteran of the United States Army Prior to immigrating to the United States, Mr. Touré studied sociology, philosophy at the University of Dakar and Computer science at Santa Monica College. He speaks five languages, being professionally fluent in English and French. An active health advocate and blood donor since the age of 17, Mr. Touré uses his skills as an orator to inspire others while leading by example.

As Global Ambassador, Maoloude Toure represents the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation in its work to spread awareness and increase international cooperation towards a cure for NMO. He travels the world as formal representative of the foundation to speak with patients and clinicians alike. Over the past two years, he has engaged with the President of Mali and the Ministers of Health in Bamako, Mali, high-level Catholic priests in Rome, Italy, and leading scientists in Berlin, Germany, and Moscow, Russia. Mr. Touré is determined to do his part in finding a cure for NMO.

Cori Woolf HeadshotCori Woolf

Advocacy Coordinator
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Cori joined our team as Advocacy Coordinator in 2021. Her many years as an NMO caregiver as well as her professional background in patient support led to her current role. Cori's addition to the Advocacy Team futhers development of programs and projects intended to deepen engagement, promote education, and offer encouragement and support to patients and caregivers within the growing NMO community.