Moebius Syndrome Foundation Board of Directors

President:  Jacob Licht, Silver Spring, MD

Jacob has been on the Moebius Syndrome Foundation board since 2006 and currently serves as President. In his professional life, Jacob leads Corporate Development for a European vaccine company.   Jacob and his wife live in Silver Spring, MD, and have three daughters, one of whom has Moebius syndrome.

Read more about Jacob here.

Contact Jacob at: jacob@moebiussyndrome.org

Vice President: Steven Maldonado, Maumee, OH

Steven holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston and an MBA from Texas A&M University. Historically, he has worked in Academic Research Administration as a Contracts Administrator/Fund Manager. Steven has been a guest speaker in the Baylor College of Medicine, Compassion and the Art of Medicine Seminar Series, where he shared his life experiences as an adult with Moebius syndrome. Overall, Steven has a major life goal of spreading awareness of Moebius syndrome, and using his experience to guide others through the challenges and triumphs of the condition. Drawing on his life-long experience living with Moebius Syndrome, Steven offers a perspective and unique advice in the hopes of helping viewers as they navigate their own journey.

Read more about Steven here.

Contact Steven at: steven@moebiussyndrome.org

Treasurer: Vicki McCarrell, Pilot Grove, MO

Vicki Mc Carrell is the former President and Co-Founder of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation, which began with small family get-togethers in her living room in the early 1990s.  As the parent of a son with Moebius syndrome, she has dedicated the last 25 years to bringing worldwide awareness of Moebius syndrome, worked with the research community and MSF Scientific Advisory Board to encourage research into the cause of Moebius syndrome, and enjoys speaking with and meeting parents of children and individuals with Moebius.  She lives in Central Missouri and holds a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from California State University – Northridge.  She also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), is the former Deputy Director of the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities, and interacts with the leaders of Moebius Syndrome Foundations/Associations around the world.

Read more about Vicki here.

Contact Vicki at: vicki@moebiussyndrome.org / (844) MOEBIUS (663-2487) ext. 701 or(660) 834-3406

Secretary:  Rebecca L. Maher, Wesley Chapel, FL

Ms. Maher has 25 years of experience in sales and marketing for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and is currently Associate Director of Sales Operations for the Cardiovascular Franchise. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has attended Moebius Syndrome Foundation Conferences since 2002 and is the mother of three children, including a twenty-one-year-old daughter with Moebius syndrome.

Read more about Rebecca here.

Contact Rebecca at: rebecca@moebiussyndrome.org

Destiny Bachman, Mercer Island, WA

Destiny holds a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from George Mason University.  She worked as a legislative assistant and membership coordinator for lobbying organizations in Washington, DC, and most recently has taken a course on IEP and 504 plans. She is the mother of three children, including a son with Mobius Syndrome.

Contact Destiny at: destiny@moebiussyndrome.org

Jon Fisher, Aurora, CO

Jon holds a Bachelor of Music Education (K-12) degree from the University of Northern Colorado and currently works as an administrative assistant for a government contractor employed by the United States Air Force. He is passionate about music and plays fifteen musical instruments. Since 2012, Jon loves being an adult Ambassador for the Moebius Syndrome community and strives to connect with people of all ages. Enthusiasm, honesty, and kindness are three key attributes Jon is always looking for ways to help spread awareness and be an advocate for the community. In his free time, he likes to sing, play piano, watch movies, read, go bowling, have a nice meal with friends, and play video games.

Read more about Jon here.

Contact Jon at: jon@moebiussyndrome.org

Austin Halls, Haleford, NJ

Austin Halls is a positive force trying to change how people view themselves and the world around them. Austin graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in sociology. Austin was born with a rare syndrome called Moebius Syndrome making him born with facial paralysis. Austin strives to incorporate his degree in psychology, his story, and his music to promote that you can love yourself and you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way.

Contact Austin at: austin@moebiussyndrome.org

Kathryn Kraus McClure, MD, Darlington, PA

The parent of an adult daughter with  Moebius, Dr. Kraus McClure has a long-standing interest in all aspects of life with Moebius  syndrome. In addition, as a physician, she is committed to advancing research into the therapeutics and mechanisms of the Moebius spectrum. 

 After obtaining a college degree in  Biophysics from PennState, Kathryn attended the University of Pittsburgh School of  Medicine, with additional certifications in  Internal Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology.  Now retired after 30 years in private practice, she is an avid gardener and loves to explore nature with her camera in hand.  She lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and their Golden Retriever, Misty.

Contact Kathryn at: kathryn@moebiussyndrome.org

KiOwana Phillips, El Paso, TX

KiOwana Phillips and her family have been a part of the Moebius Syndrome community since 2005. She is married with two boys, one of whom has Moebius syndrome. She is an active duty Soldier who has also served as a Moebius Syndrome Regional Coordinator hosting events throughout the United States. KiOwana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management. She has experience in Human Resources Management, Strategic Operations and Planning, Instructing, Coaching, Mentoring, Leadership, and Customer Service.

KiOwana is very excited to be a part of the team and looks forward to serving the Moebius syndrome community.

Read more about KiOwana here.

Contact KiOwana at: kiowana@moebiussyndrome.org

Bryn Webb, MD, Madison, WI

Dr. Webb is Board Certified in Clinical Genetics and Pediatrics and is Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of  Genetics and Metabolism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has presented at numerous Moebius Syndrome Foundation Scientific Symposiums, has worked with many individuals who have Moebius syndrome, and is the Research Committee Chair at the Moebius Syndrome Foundation.

Contact Bryn at: bryn@moebiussyndrome.org

Monica Woodall, Castle Rock, CO

Monica chaired the conference in 2010 in Colorado, and has played a key role in conference planning since then. She is the parent of three children, one of whom is a teen with Moebius syndrome.

Contact Monica at: monica@moebiussyndrome.org

Nicole Zeitler, Hyattsville, MD

Ms. Zeitler is a Trial Attorney in the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division at the US Department of Justice where she works exclusively on the Americans With Disabilities Act. She previously practiced campaign finance law at the Federal Election Commission. Ms. Zeitler holds a JD and BA in International Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. She is the mother of a young son with Moebius syndrome.

Contact Nicole at: nicole@moebiussyndrome.org

Moebius Syndrome Foundation Staff & Support

Executive Director: Jenny Whitman, Castle Rock, CO

Hired in January of 2018,  Jenny Whitman served in the role of Events and Programs Manager until August 1, 2o21 when she moved into the position of Executive Director. Jenny works closely with the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, and key stakeholders to ensure smooth internal daily operations, helps with strategic plans, supports conference and events planning, and ensures the members of the Moebius community’s concerns and feedback are being heard and addressed. She is dedicated to helping the Foundation continue to grow and enjoys this important work.

On a personal note, Jenny lives in Colorado with her husband and two dogs. She loves to travel, read, is an amateur gardener, and looks forward to meeting many new people at future Moebius Syndrome Foundation Conferences and events.

Read more about Jenny here.

Contact Jenny at: Jenny@moebiussyndrome.org or +1 (844) MOEBIUS x.703

Sr. Marketing and Events Manager: Loralynne Evans, Westminister, CO

Loralynne Evans joined the Moebius Syndrome Foundation in October 2021 to manage the conferences and events. With more than 15 years of experience with marketing and event planning, Loralynne has advanced into the role of providing direction for the Foundation’s marketing, as well as continuing to manage conferences and events.  She is excited to bring this experience to the Moebius Syndrome Foundation and to connect with the community to plan incredible events and help expand their marketing efforts.

Loralynne lives in Westminster, Colorado with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. She loves hiking, gardening, traveling, and reading historical fiction.

Contact Loralynne at: Loralynne@moebiussyndrome.org or +1 (844) MOEBIUS ext. 704

Social Media Coordinator: Laura Berge, Royal Oak, MI

Laura Berge has more than 14 years experience in advertising and marketing. She has worked across a variety of industries including automotive, government, and nonprofit. She holds a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and did her undergraduate work at Michigan State University in Advertising and Marketing. She also attended Miami Ad School’s Account Planning Boot camp. A brand strategist by trade, she found herself in the Moebius community with the birth of her son in 2020. Laura has lived in four states and two countries, and now resides in the Detroit suburbs with her husband, son, and cat.

Contact Laura at: social@moebiussyndrome.org or +1 (844) MOEBIUS ext. 705