Our Team
The Board
Faranak Herrera, DO, MPH Founder and CEO
Faranak Herrera, DO, MPH, Founder and CEO, is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and seasoned primary care doctor in the state of California. In her quest to help her son with 16p11.2 deletion, she has made strong relationships in both medicine and research due to her own background in public health and cellular biology research. When she identified the need for a standard of care for this rare disease, she partnered with Dr. Wendy Chung to co-author and publish the clinical care guidelines for the management of this condition in the primary care setting – Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents with 16p11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
Dr. Wendy Chung, MD, PhD Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Wendy Chung, MD, PhD serves as the foundation’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Chung is the Chief of Pediatrics at Boston’s Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She directs NIH-funded research programs in human genetics and large programs in autism genetic research including Simons Searchlight. She is involved in developing genomic testing in the prenatal setting and is experienced in the ethical implications of research. She enjoys the challenges of genetics as a rapidly changing field of medicine and strives to facilitate the integration of genetic medicine into all areas of health care in a medically, scientifically, and ethically sound, accessible, and cost-effective manner. Her TED Talk is fascinating!
Caroline Pereira, MBA Chief Financial Officer
Caroline Pereira, MBA serves as the foundation’s Chief Financial Officer. She is the President of the Hoag Hospital Foundation. She is a seasoned fundraiser with over 2 decades of experience with a focus on academia and health care. Prior to joining Hoag in 2024, she led a successful 11-year tenure with UCI Health as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Advancement. Prior to that, she led fundraising at the University of Toronto in Canada for the School of Medicine.
Leadership & Staff
Brooklynne Semeniuk
Duplication Program Lead
Edmonton Alberta, Canada
16p11.2 Duplication Individual
Mother of 16p11.2 Duplication Child
Elizabeth Vaughan
Fundraising
St. Peters, MO
Mother of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Elise Hallett
Fundraising
Twin Lakes, WI
Mother of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Jennifer Mack
Fundraising
Columbia, MO
Mother of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Leonhard Gruenschloss
Research
Tasmania, Australia
Father of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Becky Oslund
Communications & Outreach
Murrieta, CA
Mother of 16p11.2 Duplication Child
Nicole Sinclair
Connection & Events
Ontario, Canada
Mother of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Dan Herrera
Data & Technology
Irvine, CA
Father of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Taylour Aquila
Research
Columbus, Ohio
Mother of 16p11.2 Duplication Child
Linsey Martin
Advocacy
Clermont, GA
Mother of 16p11.2 Deletion Child
Join Our Team
Do you have a talent or skill that can help further the mission of the foundation?
Project Manager
An individual with prior project management skills in any industry to organize and manage 1-2 projects 2 hour commitment per week. Starting now until June 30th with possibility of renewal.
Date Needed: 01/31/26
PR and Social Media Specialist
An individual with prior experience in PR and social media to organize and execute campaigns such as fundraisers, news about the foundation and keeping the community informed. 4 hours per week commitment broken down sporadically throughout the week. Position lasting until July 2026 with possibility of renewal.
Date Needed: 01/31/26
Video Content Creator
An individual with experience making short professional videos for fundraising and advertising purposes. Would need to own project from start to finish and have experience with proper software to deliver videos. There are 3 current video projects to choose from ranging from high to low priority. End time would be at project completion which varies per project. Number of hours required based on project and volunteer expertise. Deadline for urgent video is February 28th.
Date Needed: 01/31/26
Policy Advisor
An individual with a background in policy or law who understands either the process of appropriations or medical insurance policy. 1-2 hour commitment per week. Starting now until March 30th with possibility of renewal.
Date Needed: 01/31/26
Clinician in any Field
An individual with a medical background to assist with care coordination with centers of excellence. Prefer a passion for prevention. 2 hour commitment per week. Starting March 30th going for 3 months with possibility of renewal.
Date Needed: 03/30/26
Accounting
An individual accounting skills to create realistic budgets for each project. 1-2 hour commitment per week. Starting now until May 30th with possibility of renewal.
Date Needed: 01/31/26
Legal Counsel
An individual with any legal background interested in any of the following: risk assessment with contracts, ICD codes and organizational risk assessment. Requiring 1-2 hours per week. Starting now until May 30th with possibility of renewal.
Date Needed: 01/31/26
Event Support
Looking for passionate, reliable volunteers to join our event team. Volunteering is a great way to support our community, connect with families and advocates, and make a meaningful impact. This position would require time management skills, typing/computer skills and organization skills. Depending on the event to be planned, time required could vary from 5 hours a week to 20 hours a week.
Date Needed: 02/01/26
Insurance Specialist
An individual that has experience with private and personal medical insurance companies, medicare/Medicaid, international medical care insurance on a professional level. 2 hours per week April through July 2026.
Date Needed: 04/01/26
Scientific Director for 16p11.2 Duplication
An individual with medical and/or scientific research to guide and direct the scientific efforts of the duplication chapter. 1 hour onboarding, 1 hour monthly strategic planning with CEO, 1 hour weekly coordination with duplication chapter lead to give directions. Position for 3 months and renewable.
Date Needed: 02/27/26
Health Insurance Specialist
An individual with expertise as a broker, agent, and consultant, who possesses deep knowledge of coverage details, compliance standards, and claims in helping clients select and manage their insurance plans in any US state or any other country. Entails 1 hour onboarding, 1 hour monthly strategic planning with CEO, 1 hour weekly coordination with both advocacy and chapter scientific advisors. Position for 3 months and renewable.
Date Needed: 02/27/26
Executive Assistant for Foundation's CEO
An individual with expertise as an executive or administrative assistant who possesses knowledge of organizing meetings, schedules, calendars, professional demeanor and particular attention to details and systems. Technologically savvy. Entails 1 hour onboarding, 1 hour weekly spread out. Direct contact with CEO and all department directors. Position for 3 months and renewable.
Date Needed: 02/27/26
NPO Legal Counsel
An individual in any country with a law or paralegal degree to advise regarding risk assessments, RDAs, MOUs and other contract experience. Ongoing and project-based work starting June 2026.
Date Needed: 05/15/26