“We have the ultimate drive to get this done quickly: Our children’s lives are at stake. We do not have the option of accepting the pace of typical drug development efforts.”
– Dr. Benjamin Seckler, co-founder
Tracy Seckler
Charley’s Fund
Tracy, along with her husband Benjamin Seckler, M.D., established Charley’s fund in 2004. Charley’s fund is a dynamic foundation focused on supporting the development of new treatments for DMD. Over the past decade, Charley’s Fund has directed $22 million to the advancement of new therapies to help find a cure for their son, Charley and many thousands of children like him. Under Tracy’s tireless efforts, Charley’s fund has invested in many promising biotech opportunities, including companies such as Sarepta, Prosensa, and PTC Therapeutics. Tracy has served as the executive director of the foundation since its inception. Tracy earned an AB from Harvard College and an MEd from Columbia University.
Tom Wicka
Nash Avery Foundation
Tom Wicka is Co-Founder and CEO of Novu, charged with evangelizing and leading the company’s industry-leading consumer wellness platform. A noted speaker and expert in member loyalty and engagement, Tom works hand-in-hand with the nation’s most innovative health care providers and insurers to deliver member-driven wellness outcomes that benefit the entire health care system.
Prior to Novu, Tom was Chief Marketing Officer for IWCO Direct, a national leader in direct marketing, focusing primarily on developing and managing consumer loyalty and rewards programs for Fortune 500 companies in the travel, hospitality, retail and financial services industries. Tom is a graduate of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, and is very active in the promotion of children’s health care causes on a national level.
Marc Blaustein
Mr. Blaustein is a 17-year biotechnology industry veteran with experience spanning executive management, product development, business development, and line function leadership. He was the founding CEO of Halo Therapeutics, now part of Akashi. Mr. Blaustein has led development efforts for two products that were approved by FDA and subsequently launched commercially, and has closed numerous deals for biotechnology products, technologies, and services. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President at Dyax Corp where he led departments including Manufacturing, Program Management, Commercial Operations, and Alliance Management. Before that, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Alkermes and Genetics Institute (now Pfizer). Mr. Blaustein holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.