BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
GAYLEN MOHRE
Board Member
Gaylen is the proud mama of two children. Her daughter was diagnosed with CSS - ARID 1B in 2021. Gaylen is thankful for the community that the CSS Foundation has nurtured. She is hoping to contribute to, and learn from, the CSS community. Gaylen is a school social worker with the NYC Department of Education. She lives with her family in Queens, NY.
SHAUNA PLANCK
Chair
Shauna and her husband Jeff have a three year old son with CSS (ARID1A variant). They live in Colorado and enjoy all that the outdoors have to offer. Shauna works in professional consulting and is grateful for the CSS community.
CARISSA ROBINSON
Board Member
Carissa lives in Seattle with her husband and 3 boys. Caleb, her oldest, has an ARID1B mutation and has been her greatest teacher and driving force for her passion towards equity, belonging, and inclusion. Carissa leads the "Emily's Fund" Grant program, the Self Advocate Advisory Board, and mentors and advises families around IDEA and the IEP process.
KELLEY ABBOTT
Board Member
Kelley and her husband Bryant are the parents of 3 energetic boys and a foster daughter. Tyson, their youngest, was diagnosed with CSS ARID1B variant at age 7. Kelley is a trade show sales manager in Westport, CT. She is a huge Boston sports fan and enjoys traveling.
MARIO UZETA
Board Member
Mario and his wife Gisselle have a young son, Sebastian, with ARID1B. They live in Southern California. Prior to being a full time caregiver for his son Mario was a manager in the financial sector with over 20 years experience. In his spare time he enjoys BBQing, The Broncos, and building computers and special needs mobility equipment.
BRION JOHANSEN
Medical Support Advisor
Brion is married with 2 children. Carter – his youngest – has an ARID1B variant. In his spare time, Brion enjoys riding motorcycles, UTV’s, and all things powersports related. His true passion, however, is his family. Together, they make their home in Salt Lake City, UT.
SHEA ROBINSON
Advisor, Founder
Shea is married and the father of three boys. Caleb, the oldest, has an ARID1B variant. They received his CSS diagnosis when Caleb was three. Shea is an engineer in product design in Seattle.
AMANDA COLE
Board Member
Amanda and her husband have two children. Her youngest, Nora, was diagnosed with CSS –ARID1A in January 2021. She is excited to give back to the community that has given so much help and guidance. She has a background in Early Childhood Education but stays at home. She enjoys being heavily involved in their community and homeschooling her oldest. Any spare time found is spent watching comfort
shows, crafting, and exploring.
DR. SAMANTHA VERGANO
Medical Advisor
Dr. Vergano is the Division Director of Medical Genetics and Metabolism at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, VA and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Vergano also runs the the CSS clinic out of CHKD and serves as an advisor to our board of directors.
SELF-ADVOCATE ADVISORY BOARD
The Self-Advocacy Advisory Board is a place for members of our community with CSS (18+) to serve as leaders within our Foundation and community. The role will be included in Board meetings (if desired), and will offer a platform to advise and council the Foundation's strategy and planning, ideas for action or involvement, and promote inclusion, opportunity, and leadership for adults with CSS.
If you are interested in learning more about the Self-Advocacy Advisory Board or would like any more information, please contact an existing Self Advocate Advisor via Facebook or Carissa at Carissa@coffinsiris.org.
EDDIE GUBBINS
Self Advocate Advisor
Eddie will be 26 in March 2022 and has an ARID1B variant. Eddie lives in Massachusetts with his family and is currently studying to get his Associates Degree in Hospitality at Cape Cod Community College. He works in the kitchen at White Cliffs Country Club doing a variety of jobs from dishwasher to prepping food. Eddie received the 2020 Student Chef of the year Award from the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation. In August 2021 he passed his drivers license exam and loves his new found freedom! In his spare time he loves to do jigsaw puzzles, word searches and play video games. Eddie loves being part of the CSS Foundation Self Advocate team and helps with being a welcoming face for our community. He'll also be helping with Foundation Facebook posts and planning a Young Adult event at our summer conference!
MARKY LYNCH
Self Advocate Advisor
Marky is 19 and lives in Maryland. He is finishing up high school as a homeschooler. Marky especially enjoys any and all field trips. Marky loves to listen to music, especially Disney songs and any musical. He is part of Pegasus, an acting troupe for teens with disabilities. He enjoys all types of art classes . He hopes to help social activities for teens/young adults and to be involved in planning for the upcoming conference.
JOEY MINCH
Self Advocate Advisor
Joey is 30 years old from Baltimore, MD. He was diagnosed in 2020 with CSS, ARID1B. Joey is so thrilled to be living in an apartment with 24/7 support. During the week, Joey ventures into the community volunteering with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to those in need. Soon Joey hopes to participate in a special training program with CVS; he hopes to work retail in a neighborhood CVS store. In his spare time, Joey loves playing word games, completing cross word puzzles, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. He enjoys listening to music. Over the past several years, Joey has been a part of a local Special Olympics swim team. Being part of this Self Advocacy Advisory board will provide Joey the opportunity to meet and connect with other young adults and well as provide a voice for those who might not have one quite yet.
MATTHEW PIRIE
Self Advocate Advisor
Matthew is 19 and lives in Calgary, Alberta. He volunteers with his mom at the Calgary Food Bank and is starting a new day program. He enjoys camping with his parents, skiing, swimming, air shows and playing bocce. He gives the world's best hugs!
The CSS Foundation board and advisor team is made up of volunteers who invest their personal time to enable the Foundation to fulfill its mission. We are always on the lookout for passionate, resourceful people to help out, whether that is in the capacity of a formal board position or not. If you would like to learn more about how you can help or are interested in being on the board, please email Foundation@coffinsiris.org.
