Jess Harnish (IL)

PRESIDENT

Jess currently lives in Illinois with her husband & three children. She has been a nurse practitioner in gastroenterology for the last 10 years. She started her career as an RN in the Neonatal intensive care unit for 13 years, an area that will always be near her heart.

Volunteering & giving back has always been a part of Jess. Previously, she volunteered as the director of a nonprofit for multiple years but stepped back prior to Reed’s arrival. When Reed was diagnosed at 4 months with UP, she searched for the best places to find information. This lead them to Mastokids.

She is honored to serve as a Mastokids officer and board member to help increase our presence, and reach more families & bring awareness to Mastocytosis.

Carla Karstens (MN)

BOARD MEMBER
WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR
MASTO MERCH CREATOR

As the proud Grandmother of a MastoKid, Carla felt a strong desire to do anything and everything she could to help bring much-needed awareness to this rare and often misunderstood disease. She wanted to share her knowledge and experiences to ensure that others could better understand the challenges faced by those living with pediatric mastocytosis.

Through her successful business IDS Apparel, she was able to create and design a fun range of MastoKids Merchandise, which not only provides an important additional layer of awareness about pediatric mastocytosis but also ensures that proceeds from the sales of these items are donated back to support the vital work of MastoKids.

Megan Palmeri (DE)

BOARD MEMBER
FUND DEVELOPMENT

Megan and her husband Cory reside on the Delmarva Peninsula with their three children, Adam, Ashlin, and Luca. She received a degree in Emergency Paramedicine which has helped tremendously on the journey for their youngest son’s diagnosis and treatment. She enjoys helping others at every turn and has a difficult time saying no, so being on the board and serving as an officer seemed like a logical choice. The Palmeri family enjoys the beach, fishing, sleeping in, and watching the Bills win on Sundays.

Waleska Ramos (FL)

VICE PRESIDENT
BOARD MEMEBER

Waleska is an Environmental Health & Safety professional with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry.

Waleska is also a wife and mother to four children, ages 20 to 1. Her journey with mastocytosis began when her youngest child was diagnosed at just four months old. Navigating the complexities of this condition led her to Mastokids, where she found invaluable support and guidance. Inspired by the community's impact on her family, Waleska is committed to giving back and helping other families facing similar challenges.

Cris Richardson (SC)

TREASURER

Cris has served as a Mastokids volunteer for 16 years, with a strong desire to help families in their journey with pediatric mastocytosis. She encourages families to define the disorder in their lives rather than let the disorder define their lives. Cris and her family enjoy hiking, visiting waterfalls, and roadtripping.

Rachel Palacio (NV)

VP INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS

BIO coming soon.

Ashley Gordon (TX)

VP SOCIAL MEDIA & PR

Ashley Gordon lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, David, and their four-year-old son, Jacob. She is currently a stay-at-home mom, but her professional background is in marketing. With over twenty years of experience, Ashley has worked for well-known companies such as Pillsbury, General Mills, and The Coca-Cola Company.

When Jacob was diagnosed with UP at six months old, Ashley began searching for resources to better understand the condition. Following a recommendation from their dermatologist, she discovered Mastokids, which provided her with a sense of community and reassurance that she was not alone.

Ashley is passionate about helping Mastokids reach more parents who are seeking support and education, just as she once did.

Whitney McAuliffe (Australia)

VP INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS

Whitney is from Australia and is the mother of twin daughters, age 8, and a 16-month-old son who has cutaneous mastocytosis. When her son was diagnosed at 10 months, she spentcountless hours searching for information online, feeling overwhelmed yet still lacking the specifics her family needed. Connecting with MastoKids became a turning point, providing not only knowledge but also a comforting community of families on the same journey.

Whitney is deeply committed to her children, making this cause especially close to her heart. As an Assistant Principal with a background in special education, she is experienced in working with diverse groups and is dedicated to helping families feel supported and understood. She is excited to bring an Australian perspective and strengthen international connections in research, awareness, and community—ensuring that no one feels alone on their Masto journey.

Michelle Hepker (WY)

SECRETARY

Micheller’s daughter, Aspen, was diagnosed with Mastocytosis earlier this year. After the diagnosis, Michelle and her family experienced a great deal of anxiety and were unsure where to turn—a feeling many can relate to. This group has been a tremendous blessing to their family and is vital to the rare disease community. Michelle has served on other boards in the rural area where she lives and is honored to support this wonderful organization in any way she can.

Theresa McCunney (PA)

CO-TREASURER

Theresa is a stay-at-home mom to four girls, ages 3 through 11, and her husband works as a pilot. They currently live in Southeast Pennsylvania with their two English Labrador dogs—one yellow named Willow and one black named Derek. Theresa became a board member to give back to the organization and community that supported her when her daughter, Alice, was first diagnosed. She is excited to join MastoKids because it has built a community that rare diseases like mastocytosis need in order to raise their voices and advocate for the research, relief, and care they deserve.