Charcot Marie Tooth Disease - CMT Disease - Hereditary Neuropathy

Allison Moore
Allison Moore, President and Founder of HNF, divides her time between her homes in Manhattan and Amagansett, NY, with her husband, Robert, and her two young sons. Moore founded HNF in 2001 after a hospital mishap in which she was treated with medications that exacerbated her CMT symptoms and made her legs weak and imbalanced. Her goal was to create one of the best storehouses of information about CMT in the country and also to raise awareness of CMT to both the general public and to medical professionals.
Richard L. Sharpe
Richard L. Sharpe, of Locust Valley, NY, is Allison Moore’s father and has worked as a champion of CMT patients for years, previously serving as the President of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association in Pennsylvania. The President of R.H. Sharpe, Ltd., Sharpe has been in broadcasting for more than 40 years. His involvement in the fight against CMT is a family affair. Suffering from CMT himself, Sharpe says, “CMT is very much in my family. Two of my four children and I have CMT. I feel very confident that the HNF Board has a viable plan to make a difference in the battle against hereditary neuropathies.” Currently, Sharpe serves as Treasurer at HNF and contributes to fundraising and special events, most recently serving as Golf Chairman for the First Annual HNF Outing in September 2006.
Iris Adler
Iris Adler works closely with the HNF Board of Directors and its supporters to identify and analyze research options and ways to fund them. She and her husband, Nathan Adler, are founders of the Help Elliot Live Proud (H.E.L.P.) research fund which they named in honor of their grandson, Elliot, who has CMT Type 2. The H.E.L.P. fund supports new initiatives for CMT research within HNF’s TRIAD program. Iris began her career in the purchasing and sales branch of the fashion industry. In 1985, she started her own company, Best Wishes, in Scarsdale, NY 1985. Her business success and her relentless non-profit efforts, have earned her a reputation as a closer, a woman who can get the job done.
Maria Eftimiades
Maria Eftimiades has worked for People magazine for 18 years, most recently as a national correspondent. Previously, she served as the magazine's New York Bureau Chief for seven years. She has written five true crime books, published by St. Martin's Press, and has freelanced for The New York Times, the Daily News, and Time Magazine. Maria was an adjunct journalism professor for the Columbia University School of Journalism for two years. She lives in New York City and in Sag Harbor, New York.
Emmanuel (Michael) Loucas, M.D.
Emmanuel (Michael) Loucas, M.D., is a Medical and Cosmetic Dermatologist with a private practice, Alpha Aesthetic Dermatology and Laser Center, on New York’s Park Avenue since 1995. His hospital affiliations include Mount Sinai Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospitals in New York City. Loucas’ affiliation with HNF dates back seven years to when he first met Allison and Robert Moore. “We met through my wife, Marguerite Loucas, who has been lifelong friends with Allison. We soon became great friends and knew of Allison's dream of forming HNF. I thought it was a great cause and knew we could affect many lives in so many positive ways.” Although Loucas does not have a Hereditary Neuropathy, he does suffer from a significant orthopedic condition that requires him to wear a brace on his right ankle everyday of his life. He says, “This has even made me more passionate for the cause.”
Marguerite Loucas
Marguerite Loucas has been a Board Member since HNF’s inception and contributes her formidable business savvy to the organization. A successful business owner in New York City and a member of the New York City Chamber of Commerce, Marguerite owns the restaurant chain, Burger Heaven, which boasts several locations in Manhattan. She has been friends with Allison Moore since elementary school and is deeply committed to finding a cure for CMT. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband, Michael, their two daughters, Isabella and Ava and their son Theodore.
Maryann Nigrelli-Canal
Maryann Nigrelli-Canal brings a strong financial background and commitment to HNF. Formerly Vice President of the United Savings Bank in Philadephia from 1985 - 1993, she is now a current Board Member and is serving as a member of the audit and salaries committee of that institution. Maryann had never heard of CMT until her son, Michael, was diagnosed with the disease at 3 years old. Although CMT is often hereditary, Michael’s case was the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation. Since Michael’s diagnosis, Maryann has been dedicated to working for treatments and a cure, bringing her passion and enthusiasm to HNF and its work. Maryann lives in Cherry Hill with her husband, Mario, and their children, Alexandra, Matthew, and Michael.
Maria Scarduzio
Maria Scarduzio, of Havertown, PA, is the owner of Cuz'N Company Salon & Spa. She says, “Being on the Board of Directors of HNF touches my heart because I feel I am part of something that could help people—especially children—with neuropathies." CMT is a huge part of Scarduzio’s life, as her husband, daughter and son all have it. She explains: “It wasn't until I met Allison Moore, and saw her acceptance of this disease in her life, her passion for awareness, treatment and cure, and her compassion and selflessness, that I realized I needed to come out of hiding and do something for the good of all people suffering. Allison takes everyone under her wing, and I am honored to be part of HNF and its goals.”
Joy Andal Kaye
Joy Andal Kaye brings a strong human resources background to the HNF Board. Having served as Vice President in Human Resources at PaineWebber and Merrill Lynch Investment Banking Groups from 1992-1999 and Manager of University Relations at Apple Computer from 2000-2003, she recently was the Director of Business Recruitment at J.Crew. She now serves as Co-chair for the Annual HNF Golf Outing at Glen Arbor Golf Club. An avid golfer and runner, Joy also volunteers her time working with the First Tee Organization of Metropolitan New York as well as participating in Team Fox, the Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson Foundation. She is an alum of the MHS Class of 83 and has deep admiration for the work Allison and her family have been doing for HNF and is very excited to be joining the Board. Joy currently lives in Westchester County, NY with her husband, Eric, and her stepchildren, Jason and Sydney.
Debbie McKeen
Debbie McKeen lives in Vancouver, BC with husband, Clarke, and has five sons between 21 and 26 years of age; all are at various levels of post-secondary education. McKeen is a full-time mom with a BS in Home Economics. She is also a businesswoman/consultant in international education who volunteers for several organizations, including St. George’s School (Foundation) and, previously, the Canadian Cancer Society. She chairs two committees of the Residents’ Association and is a Strata Council member. McKeen became aware of CMT about eight years ago. After considerable research, she found there was a dearth of information and resources available in Canada, especially with respect to support for cure-driven research. Together with husband Clarke, she is working on behalf of Canadians who are affected with and by CMT, by establishing HNF Canada. Her goal is to work with HNF US in efforts to further support and drive research towards a cure and betterment of life for all those who are touched by CMT. Stephen Blevit
Stephen Blevit is a partner at the international law firm Sidley Austin LLP in its Los Angeles office where he practices corporate law, primarily focusing on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and securities offerings on behalf of private equity fund, hedge fund and investment banking clients. Sidley Austin currently represents HNF on a pro bono basis in its legal matters. Prior to joining Sidley Austin, Stephen worked for billionaire entrepreneur, Eli Broad, as the Assistant to the Chairman of SunAmerica Inc., where he handled mergers and acquisitions and corporate development responsibilities for SunAmerica and was also involved in the management of SunAmerica’s alternative asset portfolio. Prior to working for Mr. Broad, Stephen was an associate in the Corporate Department at Latham & Watkins LLP in Los Angeles. Stephen is also a Certified Public Accountant.