Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers from a wide range of professional experience who are passionate about improving the lives of AHC patients.  The application of their various professional skills and their strong commitment to the mission of the foundation enables the AHC Foundation to develop strong support in the research community, and be excellent stewards of funds raised by our volunteer community.

Officers of the board

Joshua Marszalek joined the AHCF board of directors in 2013 and currently serves as President of the board. Josh has previously served as Vice President and Secretary to the Board.  Josh and his wife, Laura, live in Connersville Indiana and have two children, Levi and Kathryn. Kathryn was diagnosed with AHC in February 2012, and the Marszaleks joined the list of families who are committed to helping other families and funding research to cure AHC. Joshua is a licensed architect and owns his own architecture practice, Rural Valley Architecture. Prior to owning his own firm, Joshua worked in Connecticut and at CSO Architects in Indianapolis, IN. Joshua Marszalek – joshua@ahckids.org

Meredith Schalick mother to 5 yo Emilia is an incredible asset to AHCF as she utilizes her professional skills as an attorney, teacher, project manager, and grant writer. She would like to help continue the Foundation’s legacy of support, advocacy, fundraising and awareness to End AHC. Meredith currently serves as Vice President to the board.

“I enjoy volunteering my time for causes and projects about which I am passionate”.
Meredith Schalick – meredith@ahckids.org

Gene M. Andrasco is currently the Treasurer for the AHCF. Gene joined the ACHF Board of Directors in 2011, and has previously served as the Vice President and Co-Treasurer.  Gene volunteers his time to the foundation in honor of his daughter Kiley who was diagnosed with AHC in 2003. Gene lives in Lake Zurich, Illinois with his wife, Kelly and two children, Ryan and Kiley. Professionally, Gene is the Finance Vice President of the Marketing Store. Gene Andrasco – gene@ahckids.org

Vicky Platt is currently the foundation Secretary; she joined the foundation Board of Directors in 2010. Vicky volunteers her time to the foundation in honor of her daughter who was diagnosed with AHC in 2003. Vicky lives in Mt.Prospect, Illinois with her husband, Andy, and daughters, Emma and Aria. Professionally, Vicky is the Director of Research at Willamette Management Associates in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to her tenure at Willamette Management Associates, Vicky worked in the law library of Kirkland & Ellis and at the Michigan State University Main Library. Vicky Platt – vicky@ahckids.org

Lynn Egan is the past President of AHCF and currently serves as the Medical Liason. Lynn also heads up the Family Support efforts of the Foundation.  She began her journey to find families and treatment/cure for AHC after her youngest daughter Kathleen was diagnosed in 1991. She has been actively involved with the foundation since its beginning in 1993. Lynn lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Mark. They have three children, Stephanie, Greg, and Kathleen. Lynn is a retired School Librarian from the Redwood City School District after 15 years of service and 3 years as a volunteer.  Lynn Egan – lynn@ahckids.org

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Kate Byrne joined the Board of Directors in 2020. Her son, Connor, was diagnosed with AHC in 2019 at 8 weeks old. Upon learning of Connor’s diagnosis, Kate and her husband Tom immediately decided to dedicate any time they could to increasing awareness and supporting fundraising efforts for the foundation. They live in Indiana with Connor and their young daughter Jane. Kate works in Human Resources for the University of Kentucky and has a passion for promoting AHC awareness through social media and website development. She is also committed to working with resources in the Chicagoland area to plan fundraising opportunities and events increasing rare disease awareness. kate@ahckids.org

Sharon Ciccodicola has served as the Medical Liaison since 2004 and also became the AHCF Coordinator in 2010. Sharon is also a Registered Nurse and currently owns Ciccodicola Case Management and record review. Sharon developed an interest in rare diseases while working in specialized maternal/child and pediatric nursing units.  Sharon became interested in AHC through Richard George, the former AHCF President whose son has AHC. Sharon is married to Pasquale Ciccodicola who volunteers his services as the Foundation Attorney and they live in Detroit. They have two grown children, Dominic and Katie, and are enjoying being grandparents. Sharon Ciccodicola – sharon@ahckids.org

Cate Cohen rejoined the AHCF Board of Directors in 2018. She has been involved with the foundation since her son, Asher, now 11, was diagnosed in 2010. Cate currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband Tobe and their two children, Asher and Flynn (7) and is navigating having two older children out of the nest and pursuing their own adventures in colleges back East. Prior to becoming a stay at home Mom, Cate enjoyed a career in Brand Marketing, first in the high-tech industry, and later on the agency side of the business. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Rivier College. She looks forward to increasing awareness of this disease, and raising funds to END AHC. cate@ahckids.org

Bill Gerber joined the Board of Directors in 2011.  He joined the pursuit for treatment and a cure for AHC when his son Sean was diagnosed with AHC in 2004. He is actively involved in fundraising and awareness on behalf of the foundation, including aligning his company’s philanthropic mission and corporate social responsibility initiatives to support the AHC Foundation efforts. Bill lives in Hartford, CT with his wife Olga and three children, Sean, Shelby, and Isaac. He is also the co-Founder of Accounting Department.com, a 10-year-old company providing virtual accounting, bookkeeping and controller services to small and medium-sized businesses nationwide. Bill Gerber –bill@ahckids.org

 Heather Gates lives in Ohio with her husband and daughter, Jocelyn (20).  Jocelyn was diagnosed at 3 yrs old.  Heather home educated Jocelyn from 5 yrs old until her graduation in 2017.  Heather has a B.S. in Child and Family Studies and Early Intervention from The Ohio State University. She worked as an Early Intervention Specialist at a Children’s Hospital and a County DD program.  She previously has volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center, home educators group, and Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She is always looking for alternative ways to help Jocelyn in her daily challenges with AHC. Heather Gates – heather@ahckids.org

April Hawk joined the Board of Directors in 2018 in hopes of helping families who are on the AHC journey as well as help the AHCF in any possible way.  April lives in Sebree, KY with her husband, Mike, and their seven children, Glen, Michael, Hayley, Takoda, Joey, Elizabeth, and Annabelle. April and Mike’s son, Joey, was diagnosed with AHC in 2017.  Since that time, April has been passionate about helping families as they navigate the AHC world. April has a BS in Psychology with specialties in counseling and life coaching. She also has an MA in Human Services with a specialty in life coaching.  Currently, April is Joey’s full-time caretaker and homeschools all seven of her children. April Hawk – april@ahckids.org

Renee Hodes joined the AHCF Board of Directors in 2014. She has been connected with the Foundation since her daughter Lisa was diagnosed in 2001 and has been actively involved in fundraising for many years in the hope of finding a cure.  Renee lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband Paul and their three children, Marissa, David and Lisa. Renee has worked professionally as a Food Service Manager and owner of a children’s party business. She is currently a part-time school bus monitor and stay at home mom. Renee Hodes – renee@ahckids.org

Shannon Leigh lives in Upstate New York with her husband and two little girls, Keira (5) and Autumn (18 mo). She has been on the Board of Directors since 2014.  After Keira was diagnosed with AHC in 2010, she became determined to learn everything about AHC and how she could help her daughter live the best life possible. Shannon is currently working on her B.A. in Literature at Empire State College and works as an Executive Assistant with the NYS Office of Information Technology. She is determined to raise AHC awareness and find fundraising opportunities to benefit the children suffering from AHC.  Shannon Grady – shannon@ahckids.org