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Christopher Hahn, Executive Director
Chris is an Order of the Coif graduate of the Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, where he focused on public policy and nonprofit law. For eleven years he represented large corporations, individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits in commercial litigation and business transactions, first with the national corporate law firm of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, and then, after relocating to Santa Barbara, with a leading regional law firm. In 2000 he realized his dream of combining his analytic, problem-solving, communication and strategizing skills with his passion for public service, joining the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation as its first Executive Director. Under Chris’ leadership the Foundation has grown its meso research grant funding five-fold, to over $1 million per year; instituted the annual meso symposium to advance scientific understanding while uniting and energizing the entire meso community; helped countless patients and families find a meso medical expert, treatment and hope; and involved parties from all sides of the mesothelioma tragedy in the non-controversial, humanitarian effort to fund the research needed to find a cure.
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Mary Hesdorffer, Medical Liaison
Mary Hesdorffer received her undergraduate degree at the College of New Rochelle in NY and went on to receive her Masters of Science at the same institution. She is fully credentialed as a Nurse Practitioner and has spent the past 11 years actively treating patients with mesothelioma. Mary has an expertise in the development and implementation of clinical trials. She has published in peer reviewed journals and has lectured nationally on the topics pertaining to mesothelioma with particular emphasis on clinical trials as well as symptom and disease management. She is well known to the Foundation's community having attended and spoken at many of our symposiums. Mary is passionate in her commitment to the treatment and management of this disease and hopes to increase awareness of the need to advance the science that will lead to a cure. She is available via phone or email to assist patients and caregivers as they move from chaos to control of this new situation they find themselves thrust into. |
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Kirsten Silva, Major Gifts Director
After volunteering for over five years with the Meso Foundation, Kirsten has joined us in a more formal role. As Major Gifts Director, she will help to develop stronger relationships with our community, and present opportunities for individuals, families, law firms and corporations to support research toward a cure. Before her late husband, Edward, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, Kirsten worked in corporate sales and management before discovering her real passion for the non-profit sector. Subsequently, she began work with the United Way of Suburban Chicago. There, she successfully organized and ran corporate campaigns as well as cultivated major individual gifts resulting in over a million dollars in donations annually. With her unique perspective and strong sense of compassion, Kirsten has formed enduring friendships within the Meso community and is looking forward to seeing this disease cured.Kirsten is an Alumni of University of Illinois, where her major was Social Work, and of Brooks Institute of Photography. |
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Maja Belamaric, Outreach Director
Maja’s work at the Foundation focuses on its outreach activities including implementation of marketing campaigns, website administration and optimization, management of various online and offline communications and database administration. Maja’s broad skills are shaped by her experience in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Before joining the Meso Foundation, Maja was the Associate Director at the Young Storytellers Foundation, an organization dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school children. Prior to her recent return to the non-profit sector, Maja was an Associate with M.A. Cohen & Co., an advisory services firm that facilitates the resolution of commercial disputes and arranges commercial real estate transactions. Maja received her B.A. in Mass Communications from Colorado State University. |
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Danelle Mangone, Program Associate
Danelle is a recent honors graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara. With her double major in Art History and Global & International Studies she has a broad range of skills that help with a variety of projects in the office. Before joining the Meso Foundation, Danelle began her work in the non-profit sector while working for Environment California, an organization dedicated to overcoming the opposition of powerful special interests and winning real results for the California’s environment. Her interest in non-profit work led her to the Meso Foundation where she works as a Program Associate. She works closely with the Executive Director to provide project support as well as oversees the Foundation’s research program. |
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Jeni Piccolo, Program Associate
Jeni’s work at the Meso Foundation began in March of 2008 when she assisted in the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma’s “Advocacy Day.” She has since become extensively involved in the Government Affairs activities at the Foundation. Her studies began at University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy where she later held the position of Research Assistant in the Department of Neuropharmacology. She has since moved to California where she finished her studies in International and Political Science at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her background in government and public affairs began at Davies Public Affairs, where she worked closely with the firm’s Healthcare team. |
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Jennifer Johansen, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara where she earned her BA in environmental studies with an outside concentration in geography and focused on urban planning. During her time as a student at UCSB, Jennifer served as President of the UCSB Cycling Team, where she was responsible for promoting the sport as well as the facilitation of the administrative and competitive goals of the organization. As a part of the Meso Foundation staff, Jennifer is responsible for donor data management, gift processing, special project support, and administrative support.
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