The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine
Our Story
The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine pledges to support the development of the most promising mitochondrial disease research and treatments of the many forms of mitochondrial dysfunction. Formed in 2005 and renamed in 2010, our Atlanta-based non-profit organization financially supports the first FDA-approved drug treatments that began in early 2010. Stated simply: we're funding the cures.
The foundation's stewards and founders are parents of patients and medical experts. We were created to accelerate the development of the most viable mitochondrial disease treatments and therapies.
Back to top
Our Mission and Priorities
Simply put, our purpose is to support the development of the most promising mitochondrial disease research and treatments. We're funding a path to the cure, making connections to other related diseases and leading our stakeholders to the right information and the best answers.
Back to top
Our Firefly
As the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine looked to define its voice and purpose, we recognized that we wanted be an organization strategically connected to "hope and positivity." In seeking an image for our logo, we needed to literally look no further than our own backyard-the firefly, long the symbol of guidance and illumination sparks our energies, both metaphorically and scientifically.
The enchanting firefly may hold an important key to understanding mitochondrial disease and studying the way cells use energy. In mitochondrial diseases, the body cannot make enough energy, or ATP.
To measure ATP in each cell, scientists are currently using the material found in a firefly's tail light - luciferase - mixed with a recombinant DNA to study cell energy production. Information gathered from luciferase research has the potential for use in a broad array of applications, including drug discovery, patient diagnoses, patient treatment and disease monitoring. And, this firefly links to treatment and hope, becoming a natural embodiment of inspiration for our story.
Back to top
Our Board Members
Mr. David Green
Mr. Green is Vice President and Divisional General Counsel for Atlanta based, Global Payments Inc., one of the world's largest transaction processors. Previously he practiced law for King & Spalding in Atlanta. David received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from Emory University. David's young daughter was diagnosed with a mitochondrial dysfunction at the age of 3 and after assisting in fundraising for FMM, he joined the FMM board in 2007 to be able to bring greater attention to research for treatments and drug development.
Dr. Keith Hyland
Dr. Hyland, is the Director, Neurochemistry Laboratory at Medical Neurogenetics. He is one of the leading experts in the world on neurotransmitter diseases. He trained at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Institute of Child Health, (London, UK) and directed the diagnostic and research activities of the Department of Neurochemistry, within the Institute of Metabolic Disease, a part of the Baylor University Medical Center. He has twice been awarded the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism yearly award and has extensive experience in the diagnosis and study of children with a wide variety of inborn errors of metabolism that affect neurological function. He is a leading expert in the diagnosis and investigation of inherited disorders affecting neurotransmitter and folate metabolism. Dr. Hyland has authored over 120 articles on rare diseases, been the recipient of numerous competitively reviewed grants over his career, and received his Ph.D. at Brunel University (United Kingdom) in 1980 in the field of biochemistry.
Mr. Steve Rothschild
Mr. Rothschild is the managing partner for PREF LLC. PREF is an Atlanta-based, private investment firm that specializes in commercial real estate as it works to preserve and build wealth for private investors through investment, advisory services and tax credits. He serves on several industry, philanthropic, and civic boards. Steve received his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. Steve was one of the principal founders of the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine as a way to make a difference for children with mitochondrial disease like his young son.
Dr. John Shoffner, M.D.
Dr. Shoffner, M.D., an Atlanta native, was a pioneer in the discovery of mitochondrial disease and currently is an international expert dedicated to diagnosing and advancing treatments for these highly complex diseases. He founded and today leads the Medical Neurogenetics research center and laboratory which focuses on diagnostic testing and clinical consultation of genetic disorders. Dr. Shoffner is board certified in Neurology, Biochemical Genetics, and in Molecular Genetics and has authored over 70 research publications. He received his BA degree and M.D. from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Ms. Sandra Setin
Ms. Setin's son, Sebastien, was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease in 2005. Prospects for treatment and a cure were very bleak, so Sandra and her husband Christophe, began their own grass roots effort to raise awareness and funds for mitochondrial disease research. These initiatives led Sandra to join FMM board and take on more of a direct role to support the foundation's mission. Sandra spends much of her time volunteering at Hope Preparatory Academy in Tampa, Florida ( Sebastien's school for special needs) as well as the Gala Committee of Hope; devoted to raise awareness for the needs of a typical education for non-typical kids. Prior to FMM, her previous professional career was in travel and luxury goods markets with a British tour company and with CHANEL. Currently Sandra and Christophe live with their three young children nine, five and four years in Tampa, Florida.
Mr. Frank Wren
Mr. Wren is Executive Vice President and General Manager for the Atlanta Braves major league baseball team. After joining the Braves on October 13, 1999, Wren led the organization's efforts in the site selection, design and construction of the Braves Academy in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. In his first two months as general manager in 2007, Wren moved quickly to build Atlanta's 2008 roster. Prior to joining the Braves, he was the Baltimore Orioles' general manager in 1999 after serving as the Florida Marlins' vice president/assistant general manager from 1991 through 1998. Frank began his front office career as the general manager of the Jamestown Expos of the NewYork-Penn League in 1985. He then became Montreal's assistant scouting director and, in 1989, was appointed the team's director of Latin American scouting and operations. Frank grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. He attended Northeast High School and St. Petersburg Junior College before beginning his professional baseball career as a center fielder in Montreal's minor league system in 1977. He reached the Double-A level before retiring in 1982 and coached in the Expos' system from 1981 to 1984. He serves on the board of Landmark Christian Schools and he and his wife hosted the Southwest Christian Hospice - Jim Beauchamp Memorial Golf Tournament in October 2008. Frank's interest in supporting treatment for mitochondrial disease stemmed from his
teenage son's diagnosis.
Ms. Terri Wren
Ms. Wren is presently the Girls Leaders' Director/Coach for Middle School and High School at Southside Church in Peachtree City, Georgia. Terri is passionate about grooming change from the inside out, throughout the many facets of life, whether that change be spiritual, emotional, or physical. Her early career was in teaching and today she continues to serve as a substitute teacher at Landmark Christian School. Terri joined, her husband Frank as a board member of the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine in 2007 because of their son's mitochondrial disease diagnosis and her strong desire to treat this disease.
Back to top
Staff
Ms. Laura Stanley
Ms. Stanley joined the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine in January 2010 as their first Executive Director. Laura's professional experience is in corporate human resources, sales and marketing, yet when her eldest son was diagnosed in 2009 with a mitochondrial disease, she was desperate for answers, for hope, and for a way to accelerate action. Thus, the opportunity to transfer her corporate business skills to this emerging non-profit seemed like a perfect match.
In senior leadership roles at EarthLink and an Atlanta based technology start-up, EzGov, Inc., Laura was able to leverage her executive search background from Korn/Ferry International along with her early sales and marketing career experience in the paper industry both in Paris, France and the southeastern U.S. Laura earned her International MBA from the University of South Carolina and Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Newcomb College of Tulane University. Laura speaks fluent French and conversational Italian. lstanley@foundmm.org.
