Our dedicated Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in shaping our mission and advancing our cause. These passionate individuals bring diverse expertise, experiences, and a shared commitment to supporting rare disease patients and providing free healthcare services, education, and training to the most vulnerable, impoverished, and underserved communities. Together, they provide invaluable guidance, strategic insight, and unwavering leadership that propel our organization forward.
Our Board oversees our advocacy efforts, ensures the effective allocation of resources, and fosters collaborations with partners who share our mission. With their collective vision, we are empowered to build bridges of understanding and support for rare disease patients and serve as a platform for voices that may otherwise go unheard. We are immensely grateful for the commitment and dedication of our Board of Directors, as they are instrumental in driving positive change within the rare disease community and the communities we serve.

We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for RARE in the State, a four-week program for families navigating rare disease. Caring for a loved one with a rare condition presents unique challenges, including complex medical systems, specialized provider searches, and overwhelming financial demands, which can make finding reliable support feel nearly impossible. While rare disease advocacy has grown, accessing the right help remains a significant hurdle. To bridge this gap, RARE in the State brings families together in peer-led cohorts to identify essential resources, explore financial assistance options, and build sustainable care systems, all at no cost. We encourage you to register now or share this opportunity with someone who could benefit.
Register Now
Prof. Francine Ntoumi is a distinguished scientist and leader in global health, renowned for her work on malaria and capacity-building in African research. She is the Founder of the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research (Republic of Congo) and serves as Professor and Research Group Head at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Germany. A respected advisor, she sits on multiple scientific committees across Africa and Europe and contributes her expertise to the African Union’s High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies.
Dedicated to strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem, Prof. Ntoumi has trained scientists in immunology and molecular epidemiology. She spearheads two major networks: the Central Africa Network on Clinical Research (CANTAM) and the PANDORA-ID-Net, advancing biomedical research across the continent. Her exceptional contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award for Women (2012), the Georg Forster Prize (Germany, 2015), the Christophe Mérieux Prize (France, 2016), and the Gold Medal for Scientific Research from the Republic of Congo (2016).Beyond research, Prof. Ntoumi champions social impact as UNICEF’s National Ambassador (since 2024) and was named among Forbes Afrique’s Top 50 Femmes Africaines (2025).
More about Prof. Ntoumi
Eric Vilain, MD, PhD, is a renowned physician-scientist and leader in differences of sex development (DSDs), genomics, and precision medicine. As Associate Vice Chancellor for Scientific Affairs at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Health Affairs and Director of the UCI Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, he drives innovation in biomedical research and translational medicine. Previously, he chaired the Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine at George Washington University and directed the Center for Genetic Medicine Research at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
A pioneer in the genetics of sex development, Vilain’s research deciphers the molecular mechanisms of DSDs using genomic sequencing and animal models. His work extends to sex differences in the brain, sexual orientation biology, and gender identity, earning him recognition as “one of the world’s foremost experts on the genetic determinants of DSDs” (Nature).
Vilain holds leadership roles in major scientific organizations, including: Fellow, American College of Medical Genetics.Member, International Olympic Committee Medical Commission. Advisor, NIH’s National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Board of Scientific Counselors. His expertise bridges research, clinical translation, and policy, shaping the future of genetics and personalized medicine. More about Dr. Evilain
Duc Ntsomi, DrPH, stands at the forefront of the global health equity movement, transforming the principle of healthcare as a human right into bold, measurable action. As Executive Director of the Petronille Healthy Society (PHS), he leads pioneering programs that bridge policy and practice, delivering sustainable solutions for rare disease populations and underserved communities across the United States and Africa.
Dr. Ntsomi was among the pivotal group of advocates who shaped the landmark Rare Disease Equity Act, unlocking $2.3 billion in federal funding and establishing mandatory rare disease representation in FDA approval processes. In Maryland, he launched the Tour of Maryland Supporting the Rare Disease Community, a grassroots initiative that has evolved into a statewide model. He also co-authored the Nealo’s Act, a transformative bill that supports families whose children undergo bone marrow transplants.
Internationally, Dr. Ntsomi is ushering in a new era of precision medicine across Africa. Through the Rare in Africa Initiative, a Pan-African Consortium for Rare Diseases, he leads cutting-edge efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into diagnostics and therapeutic discovery, accelerating breakthroughs with the potential to save millions of lives.
Through strategic war room diplomacy, Dr. Ntsomi is working to elevate rare diseases onto the G20 health agenda, while laying the groundwork for unprecedented technology transfers from global pharmaceutical giants.
More about Ntsomi
Prof. Lydie Ocini is a distinguished pediatric hematologist-oncologist and global health leader from the Republic of Congo, renowned for her pioneering work on sickle cell disease and blood disorders in Central Africa. She serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the Petronille Healthy Society and is a senior physician at the teaching hospital in Brazzaville.
Her career bridges groundbreaking clinical research, ethical leadership, and hands-on care. After earning her MD summa cum laude in France, she specialized in pediatric hematology, driven by a commitment to address critical healthcare gaps in Africa. A founding member of her hospital's ethics committee, she established bioethical frameworks enabling major international research partnerships. Prof. Ocini’s research has profoundly impacted the understanding and treatment of sickle cell disease, malignant hemopathies, and their intersection with infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. Her leadership extends to practical mentorship, having trained local practitioners to improve diagnosis and reduce transfusion rates, and to a pivotal role as a medical provider at the U.S. Embassy in Congo (2009-2024).
Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with awards including an accolade from the U.S. State Department for excellence in primary care. Prof. Ocini’s legacy is defined by a relentless dedication to advancing equitable healthcare, mentoring future professionals, and transforming patient outcomes in underserved regions. More about Prof. N'Golet
Dr, Ivan N. Zama is a dedicated hematologist and Director of the Sickle Cell Clinic at UM Capital Region Medical Group. A passionate advocate for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, he leads clinical care, research, and community engagement efforts across Maryland and beyond.
Dr. Zama is deeply involved in advancing SCD awareness, treatment access, and support programs, working closely with patients, advocacy groups, and healthcare providers to improve outcomes. His expertise spans innovative therapies, pain management protocols, and holistic care models tailored to the needs of the sickle cell community. A sought-after speaker and educator, he frequently collaborates with national organizations to shape policies that address disparities in sickle cell treatment.
Through his leadership, the clinic has become a regional hub for cutting-edge care and patient empowerment. His commitment and vision have made him a trusted leader in the sickle cell community. More about Dr. Zama
Anna Majano is a seasoned finance leader with a distinguished 35-year career spanning executive roles at Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. Her expertise in corporate treasury management and financial risk assessment positioned her as a trusted advisor at each institution.
During her tenure, Anna spearheaded several transformative initiatives including the digital modernization of foreign exchange operations at JPMorgan Chase and the restructuring of commercial lending protocols at Bank of America that reduced default rates by 22%. At Citigroup, she led the Asia-Pacific treasury services division through the 2008 financial crisis, maintaining 98% client retention.
Since retiring from her position as Managing Director of Global Treasury Solutions at Wells Fargo, Jane serves on the board of the Financial Literacy Foundation and volunteers with Women in Banking International. She frequently lectures at her alma mater, Wharton School of Business, sharing her insights on emerging financial technologies.
Now retired, Anna remains active as a mentor to young professionals and an advocate for financial education in underserved communities. Her legacy as a principled leader and change-maker continues to inspire the next generation of finance professionals.