The Max Foundation is pleased to appoint Mika Matsuzaki, PhD, and Susan M. Jerian, MD to our Board of Directors.
“I am humbled by the willingness of these two experts to join our organization and help us shape our future path. I am impressed with both Mika and Susan’s background and their passion for improving access to treatments in low- and middle-income countries,” said Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, CEO of The Max Foundation. “Especially at this time of world turmoil, strengthening the capacity of our Board of Directors is key. We are honored to welcome them both into our Board and look forward to leaning on their expertise as we continue to grow and develop our programs.”
Mika Matsuzaki, PhD, is an adjunct faculty at San Francisco State University and will be joining Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as an assistant professor this year. She earned her doctoral degree in Noncommunicable Disease Epidemiology from the University of London and has years of extensive experience in quantitative research and noncommunicable epidemiology within nutrition-related and chronic diseases. Mika has previous experience leading business development initiatives for nonprofits within global health.
Mika says she was drawn to The Max Foundation with her interest in addressing the rising epidemics of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries. “Given the current focus on infectious disease and undernutrition in the global health community, The Max Foundation’s work is highly impactful, unique, and crucial,” writes Mika. “I am impressed and motivated by The Max Foundation’s commitment to giving hope to individuals living in despair.”
Susan Jerian, MD, is the Founder and President of ONCORD, Inc., an organization providing regulatory and clinical consulting to over 200 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Asia. She is a National Cancer Institute trained medical oncologist and has extensive professional experience that includes leadership roles at the FDA and Amgen, Inc. Susan has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the NDA Group’s Advisory Board, and has served on nonprofit boards in the areas of STEM education and international humanitarian relief work.
“I feel that the values and goals of The Max Foundation are very well-aligned with my personal goals in the area of provision of cancer care to all patients in need,” writes Susan. “I would be honored to help The Max Foundation further expand its efforts.”
Please join us in welcoming Mika and Susan to our board.
