Board of Directors
Joel Beetsch, President
About Joel
Joel Beetsch is a patient advocacy and public affairs executive with extensive experience the biopharmaceutical industry. Dr. Beetsch has spent his career focusing on the development and execution of a coordinated patient-focused strategies while working with multiple patient, provider, payer and policy organizations to foster safe and effective solutions to healthcare challenges. These efforts drive the assurance that patient access to healthcare solutions and medical innovation are valued and advanced.
During his 25-year tenure in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. Beetsch has held several Medical and Corporate Affairs positions. Joel has professional interests in patient-focused care coordination, health policy, innovative patient access strategies and the use of technology to better serve patient interests and outcomes. Joel serves as the board chairperson for Family Reach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating the financial burden of cancer. Joel also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and sits on the Pharma/Biotech Committee for Crossroads4Hope, a national organization dedicated to providing emotional and social support for all those patients and families impacted by cancer. Finally, Joel serves as the co-chairperson for the steering committee of the Susan G. Komen Big Data for Patients (BD4P) initiative.
Dr. Beetsch earned his Doctorate in Neurobiology/Biochemistry from the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University and further training at the Washington University School of Medicine. Joel lives in Mendham, New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.
Richard J. Morello, Co-Founder and Vice Chair
About Richard
Rick is one of the original founders of Family Reach and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. The brother of Kristine Morello-Wiatrak, who lost her fight against cancer in 1995, Rick works closely with the Family Reach CEO and Board on the overall strategic direction of the organization and on issues related to social determinants of health. Rick is a seasoned healthcare industry executive with two decades of senior management and strategy experience in digital health, diagnostics and biopharmaceuticals. He currently serves as the CEO of CND Life Sciences, an innovative diagnostics company founded by Harvard neurologists that developed and markets the world’s first commercially available skin-based test to aid the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Rick was recently the President of Global Life Sciences at Aptus Health, a 400-person digital health company owned by Merck acquired by WebMD in 2019. Rick was also a partner in the health and life sciences practice of Mercer Management Consulting, now part of Oliver Wyman. In addition to his nonprofit role at Family Reach, Rick also serves as a founding board member of Measures for Justice (MFJ) who is harnessing big data to enable large-scale change in the criminal justice system. Rick received a BA in economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Jennifer Winterhalter, Treasurer
About Jennifer
Jennifer Winterhalter is a childhood friend of Kristine Morello-Wiatrak and long-time supporter and ambassador for Family Reach. Her memories of Kristine are what continue to inspire her to help families facing the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. She has participated on numerous event committees and remains dedicated to the mission. Jennifer is the Vice President for Revenue Management at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a company with the philosophy of giving back and supporting the community.
Angele Russell, Secretary
About Angele
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, strategic marketer, global citizen, and producer with a legal background, Angele’s vast array of experiences have uniquely positioned her to understand strategic partnerships on the micro and macro level. In her current role as Head of Partnerships at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Angele leads ideation, creation, and implementation of the enterprise-wide partnership strategy, overseeing the growth and scale of both national and local partners that support Alliance programs and services.
As part of her role, she cultivates relationships with federal institutions, national organizations, and state and community-level influencers and develops collaborative processes to drive results and save lives. She also serves as a key thought leader on health equity activities, including large scale marketing and awareness campaigns aimed at increasing screening rates, improving health outcomes, and reducing CRC mortality in communities of color.
Steve Collis
About Steve
Steven H. Collis is Executive Chair of Cencora’s Board of Directors. Steve served as Cencora’s President and Chief Executive Officer from 2011 through September 2024. Under his leadership, the company experienced tremendous financial growth with annual revenue nearly tripling to $250 billion, as well as significant global expansion.
Throughout Steve’s tenure as President and CEO, several strategic investments and acquisitions enabled the company to expand its breadth of services and solutions, resulting in unprecedented partnerships, increased global reach, and deep expertise that improved access to healthcare in meaningful ways. In 2012, Steve spearheaded Cencora’s (formerly AmerisourceBergen) acquisition of World Courier, a premier global specialty provider of transportation, storage, and distribution services for global clinical trials. The acquisition strengthened the company’s worldwide offerings to global biopharmaceutical partners and expanded specialty services outside North America for the first time in the company’s history.
The following year, Steve established an innovative partnership with Walgreens Boots Alliance, marking the first time a national pharmacy chain turned over its pharmaceutical distribution to a wholesaler and collaborated for generic product sourcing. Then in 2015, Steve’s vision to deliver value in diverse aspects of patient care and expand in growing markets, led to the acquisition of MWI Veterinary Supply. As a result, the Wall Street Journal named Steve as the best performing chief executive in the Philadelphia region for 2015, and Barron’s ranked the company as No. 1 on their list of the 500 top performing companies in 2016 and 2017.
In 2021, Cencora completed the acquisition of European-based Alliance Healthcare, enhancing the company’s reach within pharmaceutical distribution, increasing the breadth of its global manufacturer services and solutions, and advancing the company’s ability to provide innovative, global healthcare solutions for customers and patients around the world. To deliver on his vision of uniting the company’s
business under one brand that better reflects the global nature of the business and its position at the center of the pharmaceutical supply chain, Steve oversaw the transition of the company from AmerisourceBergen Corporation to Cencora, Inc. in 2023.
Steve’s career with Cencora spanned more than three decades and includes time leading the company’s specialty and wholesale distribution businesses. He helped found the former Specialty Group business in 1994 and grew it to be the market leader in specialty pharmaceutical distribution and product commercialization services. Steve retired as President and CEO in 2024, becoming the Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.
Throughout his career, Steve has been an advocate for Cencora’s purpose of creating healthier futures. During his tenure the company created its first enterprise-wide, nonprofit charitable organization to support health-related causes that enrich the global community. In addition to serving as Executive Chair of Cencora’s Board of Directors, he is on the board of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers, is a founding Vice Chairman of the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer Greater Philadelphia Chapter, and serves on the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honors from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Lorraine T. Dean, ScD
About Lorraine
As a social epidemiologist, I research how individual- and neighborhood-level social and economic factors contribute to health disparities and health outcomes for those managing chronic disease. Methodologically my focus is on using multi-level modeling, GIS, and propensity scores to explore how healthcare system distrust, residential segregation, social capital, and other macro-level contextual factors influence health disparities and individual survivorship outcomes for those with chronic disease. I have PI on NIH grants (F31, K01, 2 R21s), a J. William Grant Scholar grant, and institutional grants that explore the social determinants of screening and survivorship for cancer and HIV.
Prior to my time in academia, I led a $13 million tobacco policy and control initiative in Philadelphia, PA. This policy role has had lasting impact on the City of Philadelphia, resulting in 40,000 fewer smokers and permanent legislative changes affecting 1.5 million Philadelphians. Through that policy work, my efforts have had impact by moving the needle toward better health for populations and I am returned to academia to be part of building the evidence base for chronic disease policies and programs. Because of this background, I bring a multi-disciplinary research approach, setting forth a new path to explore how social factors shape life for survivors of chronic disease.
Tim Moore
About Tim
Drawing upon 25 years of experience, Tim advises ultra-high net worth families regarding their investment portfolio allocation and implementation, trust and wealth transfer planning and charitable giving strategies. Tim is the Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and became involved with Family Reach through his board position at JUST TRYAN IT, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness through children’s triathlons to provide financial assistance to families with a child in cancer treatment.
Tim also serves as President and board member of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) National Capital Region, a leading authority on corporate growth in the Mid-Atlantic region. Tim and his wife live in Potomac, Maryland, with their two children. He is an avid runner, cyclist and triathlete and volunteers as a coach for his children’s various sporting activities.
Bob Searle
About Bob
Bob is a partner at The Bridgespan Group, a global nonprofit that strives to make the world more equitable and just. He originally joined Bridgespan in 2000 and served in many roles over 13+ years at the organization, including lead for Bridgespan’s Environment Practice. His consulting work has focused on strategic and organizational growth for nonprofits and foundations across a spectrum of social issues. In 2007, he created the original pilot that developed into Leading for Impact®, a two-year consulting and capacity building program for nonprofit executive teams.
Bob left Bridgespan in 2014 to join New Profit, Inc., a venture philanthropy fund based in Boston, as Managing Partner for Portfolio Performance & Support. In that role, he focused on strengthening New Profit’s portfolio support tools and processes, including its internal measurement capabilities. He returned to Bridgespan in 2016.
Bob has written several articles and case studies, including “More Bang for the Buck” (Stanford Social Innovation Review, Spring 2008) and a white paper for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation called “The State of Ecosystem Services” (Bridgespan.org, December 2009), and more recently “Making Sense of Uncertainty: Nonprofit Scenario Planning During a Crisis” (Bridgespan.org, April 2020), and “A Practical Guide to Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning” (Bridgespan.org, February 2025).
Before joining Bridgespan in 2000, Bob worked at the consulting firm AT Kearney. He also spent time at Staples in an internal consulting capacity. Before attending business school, Bob pursued a career as a professional musician, which included four years with the U.S. Marine Band in Washington, DC, and performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Symphony.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from Boston University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and an MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where he was an Edward Tuck Scholar. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Tuck, teaching a course called “Managing for Social Impact.”
Carla Tardif
About Carla
Cancer survivor, patient advocate, and CEO of Family Reach, Carla Tardif is a spirited leader who isn’t afraid to go the distance. She’s been leading the charge to remove financial barriers that stand between cancer patients and their treatment since 2008.
Through the implementation of a strategic national expansion plan, she increased Family Reach’s hospital partner network from five east coast hospitals to more than 1,000 top-tier cancer centers and hospitals nationwide.
She has grown the organization from $200,000 to over $10 million in gross revenue over 10 years, allowing Family Reach to impact more than 38,000 families affected by cancer each year.
Carla has also built a diverse network of strategic relationships, corporate partners, and nonprofit partners.
Her work in this space has been recognized on a national level. Carla is a member of the Cancer Moonshot and has presented at top-tier industry events, including The Atlantic’s People Vs. Cancer, Fortune’s Brainstorm Health, and the Biden Cancer Initiative.
Ming Tsai
About Ming
Ming Tsai became involved with Family Reach after he met Carla Tardif, Family Reach CEO, in 2010. Ever since then he has been a tremendous advocate of the Family Reach mission and provides support on a number of fronts. As a celebrity chef and restaurateur, he hosts Family Reach families at his restaurants, offering them a rare night out to enjoy delicious food and a heavy dose of positive energy and encouragement. Ming has traveled to various Family Reach partner hospitals across the country, providing cooking demonstrations for cancer patients and their families and teaching them the importance of wholesome meals. He launched the Family Reach Cooking Live event series and has raised over $12.5 million.
Ming is the Chef/Partner of BaBa at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. Ming has also hosted several shows on the Food Network, including Emmy Award-Winning East Meets West with Ming Tsai. He is currently the executive producer and host of the Emmy-nominated public television show, Simply Ming. His current project includes his partnership with Nestle for his frozen CPG line, Mings. In addition to television, Ming has authored five cookbooks and continues to teach on various social media platforms.
Christopher Wiatrak, Co-Founder
About Christopher
Chris is one of the original founders of Family Reach. The former husband of Kristine Morello-Wiatrak, who lost her fight against cancer in 1995, Chris saw firsthand how patients and families struggle to manage the overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial challenges of cancer and was determined, with Kristine, to offer solutions that reduced these tremendous burdens. Since 2003, Chris has worked for Genentech BioOncology and Exelixis, where he currently serves in a sales management role in the Midwest Region. He has been recognized by his peers at Genentech and Exelixis for the efforts he and Family Reach have made in the fight against the financial toxicity of cancer, and the impact the organization has made on everyday families. He continues to champion the roots of Family Reach as a family founder navigating the Bio-Tech and Pharma community to support its objectives. Chris focuses on ensuring the mission of Family Reach endures and the CEO and operating team have the support they need to advance the cause.
Emeritus members and family founders
Brian Morello
About Brian
Brian is one of the original founders of Family Reach and dedicated over 25 years to the mission. The brother of Kristine Morello-Wiatrak, who lost her fight against cancer in 1995, Brian served as a volunteer to the organization in its early years, while balancing his professional career in various Account Management roles in the for-profit world. Brian transitioned to working one day a week as a part-time employee for Family Reach and then to full-time from 2013-2023. Brian played a pivotal role as an Events Manager leading nearly 100 events in his full tenure, helping to grow from a grassroots organization to a multi-million dollar organization. Brian’s role at Family Reach also spanned from Relationship Management to Project & Program Management where he was instrumental in creating and growing The LiFT Network, a national network of like-minded non-profit cancer support organizations. After years of dedication to Family Reach’s mission, Brian decided to step away from the organization and pursue new opportunities. He currently is enjoying time with his family, volunteering, staying active, and serving as the Co-Chairman of the Oakland Team Tennis Committee.
Andrea Colangelo
About Andrea
Andrea is one of the original founders of Family Reach and served as the Secretary of the Board of Directors. Andrea and her husband, James, started the Christopher Colangelo Home Care Fund at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital after their son’s death in 1981. The Home Care Fund was founded to help families with palliative care and helped initiate the blueprint and development of Family Reach. Andrea was an active participant in the mission and was the appointed overseer of the organization’s unique and proven direct assistance process for patients and families. She collaborated closely with the Family Reach programs and social work team, and served as an overall champion for families fighting cancer.
Andrea holds a Masters degree in Educational Supervision and Administration and is a Certified School Psychologist. She served as the District Supervisor for Special Education for the Perth Amboy Board of Education in New Jersey where she managed and developed the special education programs for grades 7 through 12. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Saturday Morning Family Program
Donna Cunningham
About Donna
Donna Cunningham served as Treasurer of Family Reach Foundation on the Board of Directors. She was an active advisor and volunteer for the foundation since its incorporation in 2003. Donna is the President of ADP/Statewide Insurance Agencies, Inc. in Cedar Knolls, NJ, and her agency served as a corporate sponsor for many of Family Reach’s annual events. Donna is also a Vice President and board member of the Professional Insurance Agents of NJ and is actively involved in several insurance company/agent councils. She is the former President of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, the Manton B. Metcalf Memorial Association, and the Orange Head Start Program.
Lucille Ditta
About Lucille
Lucille Ditta was a Board Director and a member of the Fundraising and Family Case Review committees. Lucille led numerous efforts to engage new individual and business sponsors for Family Reach. She also played a key role in achieving record fundraising results for several events. Lucille serves as a Securities Trader with Wien Securities Corporation in Jersey City, NJ.
Tracy Ott Foster
About Tracy
Tracy Ott Foster contributed her expertise, strategy and experience as the Chair of the Board of Directors. Prior to her role with Family Reach, Tracy served as President of Lash Group, a market-leading healthcare company known for its unique patient and provider support programs.
Tracy’s influence on the pharmaceutical industry has spanned over two decades. She was named to the 2014 PharmaVOICE 100 Most Inspiring People in Life Sciences, and to the 2015 50 Most Influential Women (Charlotte, NC) – both awards acknowledge her many accomplishments and the positive impact she has on her colleagues, her community, her company, and the healthcare industry.
Tracy received a BSE from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Melissa Walsh
About Melissa
Melissa Walsh is the Vice President, U.S. State & Local Government Relations and Community & Public Affairs at McDonald’s.
She previously served as the Vice President, State Government Affairs at AbbVie where she lead the development and execution of AbbVie’s US state government affairs strategies to advance the company’s public policy and regulatory objectives.
Throughout her career, Melissa has worked to solve issues surrounding health care access, quality and coverage for patients. Prior to her role in Government Affairs, Melissa served as the Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Global Philanthropy at AbbVie and oversaw the company’s corporate responsibility strategies, global philanthropic initiatives and foundations in order to advance the company’s commitment to have a remarkable impact on lives around the world.
She first joined AbbVie as Regional Director, State Government Affairs in the Northeast, managing regulatory and policy activities impacting biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Previously, Melissa served as Chief Operating Officer at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, developing and implementing the state’s one billion dollar Life Sciences Initiative, and as Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Port Authority. As a Government Relations Associate with Partners Healthcare, Melissa worked to craft and pass Massachusetts’s landmark healthcare reform law.
A lawyer, Melissa began her career as a litigator in private practice. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut and her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School.
Melissa is an Eisenhower Fellow and a member of the Board of Directors for Family Reach, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating the financial hardships that accompany a cancer diagnosis.
Yousuf Zafar
About Yousuf
Yousuf is a practicing oncologist and senior vice president at Optum Insight. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. He is passionate about ways to improve care delivery for patients with cancer with a primary focus on improving the affordability of cancer treatment, through both a patient-based and policy focus.
