Board of Directors

Patricia Silverstein, Board Chair & CEO

Born in Barcelona, Spain, Patricia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Organizational Communication from the University of Barcelona. She built her early career in team sales management and executive coaching across Barcelona, Madrid, and Australia, gaining strong international business expertise and cross-cultural leadership experience before relocating to New York to begin a new professional chapter.

In New York, Patricia became a licensed counseling professional and founded Coaching X Humanity, a platform focused on executive coaching and human-centered development.

  • Her life’s mission shifted profoundly when her younger sister became critically ill due to acute diabetes complications. Experiencing the limitations of available treatment options firsthand, Patricia committed herself to advancing research, prevention, and access to innovative therapies for diabetes patients.

    In 2021, Patricia founded the Hamptons Garden Gala, which has since become one of the most recognized diabetes-focused fundraising events in the Hamptons. Through this initiative, she has raised over $1,000,000 to support pioneering medical research.

    These funds enabled the first U.S. pilot clinical trial utilizing MSC (Mesenchymal Stem Cell) therapy, exploring its potential to improve kidney disease and severe diabetes complications. Patricia’s sister was the recipient of this first U.S.-funded MSC trial, marking a defining and deeply personal milestone in SDF’s commitment to breakthrough, science-driven solutions.

    Under Patricia’s leadership, the Silverstein Dream Foundation allocates funding toward academic research, early-stage health technology innovation, and strategic impact investments designed to accelerate therapies addressing diabetes and its complications.

    Beyond research, Patricia has developed diabetes prevention and nutrition education programs focused on underserved and marginalized communities. Her work emphasizes holistic health approaches, integrating evidence-based nutrition, glucose management strategies, lifestyle interventions, and mindfulness practices to improve insulin resistance and long-term metabolic health.

    Her long-term vision includes expanding prevention models, scaling digital tools to support patient engagement, and strengthening public-private partnerships to improve outcomes across diverse populations.

    Patricia’s contributions have been widely recognized:

    •⁠ ⁠Leadership Award (2022) – First female honoree at the Empire Ball Gala, hosted by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.

    •⁠ ⁠Leadership and Visionary Health Award – Dominican Women Development Center (DWDC), for advancing diabetes prevention initiatives in underrepresented communities.

    She also serves on the Board of The Cure Alliance, supporting emergency treatment funding for pancreatic cancer and diabetes-related complications.

    Patricia Silverstein’s mission is clear: to accelerate a cure for diabetes, expand prevention strategies, and mobilize philanthropic and investment capital to transform patient outcomes worldwide. Through strategic fundraising, impact-driven investments, and community-based programming, she continues to position SDF as a catalyst for innovation in metabolic health.

Roger Silverstein, Board Co-Chair & Treasurer

Roger Silverstein is an Executive Vice President of Silverstein Properties responsible for Tenant relations. He is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York and a member of the Council of National Trustees of National Jewish Health and co-founder and chair emeritus of the AIR Society, a fundraising arm of National Jewish which has raised over $8 Million Dollars during its 30-year tenure.  Roger has a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and has three children.

  • Roger and his wife, Patricia, have been supporters of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation since 2020, at the time when Patricia’s younger sister, who has type 1 diabetes, was diagnosed with kidney disease. Since that time, they have been deeply committed to helping find a cure for diabetes. In 2021 they founded the Hamptons Garden Gala, hosted at their home, raising over $500,000 as well as greater awareness for this disease.

Elena Ulansky is an executive at Gorlin Companies, significantly influencing the firm growth and strategic direction. Gorlin Companies has a storied history of developing and nurturing enterprises within the Biotechnology and Medical Technology sectors for over four decades, and Elena has been central to this success. Her role transcends traditional executive duties as she expertly fosters connections with a broad investor network, identifying and pursuing growth opportunities that align with the company's objectives. Elena’s deep industry knowledge and vast experience have positioned her as a vital contributor to the company's journey toward innovation and success, marking her as a leader within the organization.

Elena Ulansky, Board of Directors, Investment Committee

  • Beyond her corporate achievements, Elena has an affinity for the arts, which she expresses through her founding of the Tethys Art Gallery in Southampton, NY. This gallery is not just a space but a vibrant community where emerging artists find support and a platform to exhibit their talents. Elena’s commitment to the arts is further exemplified by her educational background, holding a Master of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art, which enriches her contributions to the art world, including her active role in the prestigious NYAA Tribeca Ball annual gala.

    Elena’s passion extends into philanthropy, where her involvement with Many Hopes reflects her dedication to making a significant difference in the lives of children facing adversity. As a board member, she applies her resources, network, and energy towards initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty for children, offering them hope and opportunities for a brighter future. Her efforts showcase a deep commitment to leveraging her position and influence to support and uplift those in need.

    Elena Ulansky’s multifaceted career is a testament to her dynamic capabilities, seamlessly blending professionalism, creativity, and compassion. Through her work in the corporate world, her advocacy for the arts, and her philanthropic endeavors, Elena exemplifies the impact of dedicating one’s skills and passions to not only succeed in business but also to enrich the community and provide for those less fortunate.

Carrie Packin, co-founder and partner of City Nights Hospitality, an award-winning trend-defining company dedicated to creating unique restaurant, event and nightlife experiences where luxury meets comfort, product meets quality and service meets kindness.

Carrie Packin, Board of Directors

  • Carrie Packin, co-founder and partner of City Nights Hospitality, an award-winning trend-defining company dedicated to creating unique restaurant, event and nightlife experiences where luxury meets comfort, product meets quality and service meets kindness.

    Recognizing that her hospitality venues could be the perfect platform to support their personal devotion to philanthropy, Carrie Packin along with her husband and business partner, Brian Packin began supporting and partnering with foundations and charitable organizations that are not only making a difference but are changing the world. They support Foundations and charitable organizations, such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, the Diabetes Research Institute as well as the Institute For Vision Research at the University of Iowa, just to name a few. They have drawn on their resources and their network to support their greater mission. Together Carrie and Brian Packin were the 2022 recipients of the Irving Bernstein Award for their efforts in supporting the New York Air Society and National Jewish Health.

    The passion and purpose for living life to the fullest while working to support those changing our darkest futures was ignited by the loss of her mother, Joann to terminal stage four lung cancer in 2006.

    Since then, she has been devoted to supporting the organizations and foundations focused on funding and driving forward the research and medical advancements needed to alter the diagnosis process and treatment plans for the individuals suffering from our world’s most awful diseases. To her the dream of a cure is not a dream at all but a reality as we all should believe that with our individual support it is inevitable. Carrie continues every day to teach her two young daughters, Cosette and Elle, the importance of taking care of people, helping others and above all living each day to the fullest.

Advisory Board & Investment Committee

Everett is an Investment Director and Board Member at Gemini Capital Partners, a family office where he leads healthcare investments. He also serves as an Investment Partner and Board / Investment Advisor to multiple early-stage Venture Capital funds focusing on Digital Health and Medical Devices. Additionally, Everett is an Impact Investment and Board Advisor to Macmillan Cancer Support, a 100+ year charity in the UK. Outside of these roles Everett is a Senior Investment Lecturer at the London Venture Capital Network. He also is the Healthcare Sector Chair Lead and contributing author to various family office and VC/PE networks (SFO Alliance, GPFO, FOS Group, Bio-Capital Group)

Everett Kamin, Board Advisor, Chief Investment Officer

  • Everett has a focused track record of 100+ direct investment transactions, totaling in excess of $50B, spanning over 25+ years, amongst 30 countries.
    His Healthcare Investment background combines Investment Banking, Private Equity, Venture Capital and Board/Strategic oversight expertise.

    He has held private and exchange listed public company board level seats and worked for some of the largest most respected healthcare investment banking teams before transitioning to buy side investing .

    During his career Everett has cultivated broad and deep relationships within the global healthcare ecosystem. Beyond sector specific legal and financial healthcare service providers, Everett has built a vast network amongst Pharma, Medtech, Hospital Systems, Insurers and key opinion leaders.

    Everett has been passionate about advancements in healthcare and specifically those within the debilitating disease areas of oncology, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Due to their direct effects on his family from an early age, Everett has made it his life’s mission to invest in and foster the growth of those companies whose technologies can truly transform and democratize healthcare.

Ainsley is a Harvard-trained neuroradiologist in active clinical practice and one of the nation’s leading healthcare AI executives. She was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in AI at A16Z’s New York Tech Week. She previously served as Chief AI Officer and CMIO at Kaiser Permanente DC, where she founded the Permanente AI Center of Excellence, advised Kaiser Permanente’s first national AI strategy, and served on Kaiser Permanente Ventures. She advises Rad AI, Arbiter, HITLAB, and more than 10 healthcare AI companies across the healthcare AI ecosystem.

Ainsley MacLean, Board Advisor, Investment Committee

  • A seasoned operator at the intersection of clinical medicine and enterprise AI, she has worked inside the health systems that fund transportation, witnessed how missed appointments cascade into avoidable admissions, and understands that transforming NEMT means connecting every ride to a measurable clinical outcome.

    A frequent speaker and Forbes contributor on AI in healthcare, she has been featured by the New York Times, Health Tech Magazine, the American Medical Association, and NBC News among others.

Alexandra Stanton, Board Advisor

Alexandra Stanton is the CEO of Empire Global Ventures. An attorney with a proven record of executive leadership in business development, technology, manufacturing, and public-private partnerships, Stanton’s corporate focus ranges broadly, from developing large multi-nationals to launching homegrown start-ups. A former contributor to Fast Company, she is widely recognized for her experience in assisting female founders.

  • During the COVID pandemic, she co-founded Little Lives PPE with two Harvard-trained medical doctors, providing all-American made and medical grade PPE for children and adults. Ms. Stanton is also the former co-founder of BrainBody, a B2B company that uses the power of neuroscience to quantify the impact of wellness interventions on mental and cognitive health. 

    Ms. Stanton has worked in the E.U., Washington, D.C., and New York. She has held senior positions in large public enterprises, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C, the Empire State Development Corporation (New York State’s economic development agency) and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Appointments. Ms. Stanton has also worked in Paris, France for Doctors of the World. 

    Ms. Stanton currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of the Parrish Art Museum in Watermill, New York, and holds a gubernatorial appointment to the New York State Tourism Advisory Council. She is a Trustee of the Birch Wathen Lenox School. In 2013 Ms. Stanton was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where she led the first-ever $250m real estate expansion of the Kennedy Center since its inception. She is also the former Chair of J Street’s Board of Directors. 

    Ms. Stanton received her B.A. from Cornell University, her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, and is a member of the New York Bar. A native New Yorker, she lives in the city with her husband and two children. 

A television host, philanthropist and community activist, Sugie Hong Bruttomesso has a deep passion for people, communities, and the world. As a mother to two sons, Sugie has served on the Collegiate School Parents Association for the past 10 years chairing various events for the school. She has also chaired various events for the Women’s Committee of Central Park for the past 10 years, helping to raise funds and awareness for the importance of a healthy park for New York City. For the past several years, Sugie was a part of Central Parks Play Ground Partners, raising funds to help maintain and restore all 21 playground within Central Park for all to enjoy. Sugie is currently the Co-Chair for Central Parks Champions. In addition, Sugie has recently co-chaired the New York Philharmonic Family event, raising funds for and awareness of NY Philharmonic’s mission and youth programs around the city. Finally, she has served on the benefit committee for Spoons for America, a charity focused on educating children of the importance of healthy eating and cooking.

Sugie Hong Bruttomesso, Board Advisor

  • Sugie has also co-chaired the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation garden galas for the past three years. She became more involved with the Diabetes Research Institute when her mother became diagnosed with type II diabetes 10 years ago. As an advocate of wellness in both physical and mental health amongst all ages, Sugie is highly supportive in the health industry and finding curses for such diseases, especially for communities that do not have the right resources.

    As a wife and busy mother, she tries to find time to train for marathons and various running events. Sugie holds a B.S. from the University of Oregon as a presidential scholar. During her studies she studied abroad to Seoul, Korea at Yonsei University and discovered her talent in television as a television host for a traveling show, Arirang Television. She was then chosen to be on a television show for Korea, climbing Mount Everest as a celebrity team member, filming and trekking to Mount Everest for Korea as host to the 2002 Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup games. Born and raised in Oregon, Sugie resides in New York City with her family and enjoys yoga, hiking, golf, skiing, watching films and playing tennis with her family.

Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao is a global leader focused on innovation, ethical technology, sustainable economic development, and mission-aligned private investment. Her work spans multiple sectors and reflects a dedication to long-term impact, inclusive opportunity, and responsible progress.

Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao, Board Advisor

  • She is deeply committed to advancing female empowerment, ethical AI, and economic collaboration. Stephanie was invited by the Mexican government to support women entrepreneurs and has worked to expand access and opportunity for women-led initiatives around the world.

    Stephanie’s belief in the power of prevention, education, and equitable access to innovation aligns closely with the Silverstein Dream Foundation’s mission to fuel research and develop programs that improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic disease.

    She also serves as a Cultural Ambassador for Le Pays Charolais-Brionnais in France, continuing a longstanding family commitment to cultural preservation and international dialogue connected to the Musée de Hieron. Her family’s historical ties to the Basque region have been recognized through the conferral of the Key to the City of Bilbao. LA Tribune recently celebrated her as “a global cultural icon and innovator” for her contribution and co author to the award winning and best selling, Triumphs of Transformation: Inspiring Stories of Resilience and Life Change.

    Stephanie remains dedicated to advancing initiatives that create enduring, positive impact in communities around the world and that support collaborative solutions to global challenges.

Program Leadership

Devra Miller, Board Advisor, Coordinator Diabetes Prevention Program

Devra Miller, a passionate advocate for diabetes awareness, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 52. Her pivotal moment came when her diagnosis shifted to Type 1.5 diabetes (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults), requiring insulin therapy. This experience has fueled her commitment to advocating for a cure and raising awareness that diabetes is not just about numbers—it’s about lifestyle, empowerment, and healing.

  • As an ADA certified CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention DPP Group Lifestyle Balance™ Lifestyle Coach, Devra educates others on managing diabetes through food, exercise, wellness, and meditation, alongside medication and professional guidance. She is the Co-Director of the Silverstein Dream Foundation’s Diabetes Prevention Project, which educates marginalized communities on diabetes prevention and nutrition. Devra is also a Vice-Chair of the Silverstein Dream Foundation’s annual Hamptons Garden Gala fundraiser and a committee member of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) for the event.

    Devra’s entrepreneurial journey began as the founder of Miamica, a leading travel accessories brand, which she sold in 2022. She now channels her skills and passion for New York City into real estate, serving investors in the luxury market as a licensed agent with The Corcoran Group and is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York. Devra is a life member of Hadassah, where her fundraising efforts have raised over $12 million for medical care and at-risk youth in Israel.

    Devra lives in Manhattan with her husband, Robert. Together, they enjoy spending time with their two sons, daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. She hopes to see a world where future generations grow up without diabetes.

Katie Beth Hand is a passionate advocate for the type 1 diabetes community, using her personal experience to raise awareness, build connections, and inspire hope for others living with the disease. As a participant in the Eledon clinical trial, she has become a powerful voice for the future of T1D research — helping shed light on the promise of emerging therapies and the patients whose lives stand to be transformed by them. Through her ongoing advocacy work, Katie Beth champions expanded access to clinical trials, broader public understanding of T1D, and a stronger, more supported community for those affected by the disease.

Katie Beth Hand, Board Advisor, Ambassador Diabetes Health

  • Katie Beth Hand is a nationally recognized advocate for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) awareness, research, and patient empowerment, bringing the rare and deeply personal perspective of a lifelong T1D patient actively participating in the evolving landscape of diabetes innovation and cure-focused research.

    As an Advisory Board Member of the Silverstein Dream Foundation, Katie Beth provides invaluable patient-centered insight, communications leadership, and community engagement expertise in support of the Foundation’s mission to advance diabetes prevention, groundbreaking research, education, and access to transformative therapies. Through her advocacy and growing digital platforms, she works to demystify life with Type 1 Diabetes, amplify awareness around clinical trial participation, and connect patients and families to the scientific advancements redefining the future of diabetes care.

    In addition to her advocacy work, Katie Beth is an accomplished business executive and entrepreneur. She serves as Chief Operating Officer and Legacy Director at Pinnacle Legacy Law, where she oversees firm-wide operations, leads national attorney training initiatives, and directs strategic communications, content development, podcasting, and client engagement efforts. She is also the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Legacy Leaders Network, a national professional community dedicated to empowering leaders within the legal and financial industries through collaboration, mentorship, service, and impact-driven leadership.

    Katie Beth earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology from Ouachita Baptist University. She resides in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband and four children, where their family enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring the outdoors together.

    Driven by both personal experience and unwavering purpose, Katie Beth remains deeply committed to helping accelerate a future where breakthroughs in diabetes research become realities for patients worldwide. Her mission is to help create a world where every person living with Type 1 Diabetes has the opportunity to say, “I used to have Type 1 Diabetes.”

    Support Katie’s Initiative

    https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-katies-initiative