OUR TEAM
EMBARK Awareness Executive Team & Staff
The EMBARK staff leads the day-to-day operations of the initiative, turning vision into action. From organizing community screenings and managing partnerships to coordinating outreach and education, our team ensures that every detail supports our mission of increasing kidney health awareness and access. With dedication and care, they work behind the scenes and in the community to make each program possible and impactful.
Dr. Gentzon Hall, MD, PhD
Medical DirectorDr. Gentzon Hall is the Medical Director of the EMBARK Awareness Initiative and an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Nephrology at Duke University School of Medicine. He is research faculty in the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, where he leads the Hall Laboratory. His research focuses on the genetics and molecular mechanisms of inherited kidney diseases, particularly focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Dr. Hall's research has been supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, and the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases and he has received multiple awards for his scientific contributions in renal genetics including the American Society of Clinical Investigation Young Physician-Scientist award. He is deeply passionate about raising awareness about APOL1 in our community and connecting patients and their families with support and care resources for glomerular disease.
Junelle Speller, MBA
Chief Strategy OfficerJunelle Speller serves as GlomCon’s Chief Strategy Officer, leading the strategic development and growth of core initiatives, including EMBARK Awareness. She brings together over 25 years of professional expertise in healthcare policy, strategy, and management with nearly two decades of lived experience with kidney disease.
Junelle has held professional roles in management consulting, health tech, and research, and also with physician and patient advocacy associations. As an active patient thought leader, she has driven grassroots advocacy efforts, presented to medical students, and participated in major kidney disease conferences, including the 2024 KDIGO Controversies Conference on APOL1. Junelle holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Yale University and a master’s in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Warren Jones
Community Engagement ManagerWarren Jones serves as EMBARK Community Engagement Manager, where he leads community-based kidney health screenings and builds partnerships to advance early detection in communities disproportionately affected by kidney disease. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Tougaloo College and a Master of Public Health from Jackson State University, where he is currently completing his Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology. Warren has extensive experience executing community health screening events, including PSA testing, blood pressure screenings, and genetic counseling referrals for women at risk for breast cancer. He is passionate about preventive health interventions that address health disparities in underrepresented communities.
Eunice Lamothe
Student Programming LeadEunice Lamothe is an MS1 at Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine who has a deep interest in the intersection of public policy, community health, and clinical medicine. Before attending medical school, Eunice served as the Project Manager for Organizing Resilience, a national organization focused on resourcing community-based groups during times of climate disaster.
Eunice is a graduate of Boston University with a degree in Economics. During her time there, she served as a Research Assistant for the Black Women’s Health Study, an intern at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and as a political organizing intern for a senate primary campaign.
Additionally, Eunice was deeply involved in developing campus-wide food access programming and developing service-learning curriculum for incoming students.
Dr. Ali Poyan Mehr, MD
FounderDr. Ali Poyan Mehr is the Founding President of the GlomCon Foundation, a nonprofit charitable 501(c)(3) organization providing medical education and enabling platforms for kidney disease research. He completed his medical degree at Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin and postdoctoral research training at Yale University. Dr. Poyan Mehr completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in nephrology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
He is the Director of the Regional Glomerular Disease Program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and Kaiser Permanente's Quality Lead for the National Kidney Care Services.
Dr. Mehr's work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Chief Academic Officer’s Pilot Grants Program and the ASN Carl W. Gottschalk Research Scholar Grant, and he has published in high-impact journals.
Sarah Rayburn, MPA
Chief Operating OfficerAs Chief Operating Officer of GlomCon, Sarah Rayburn drives operational excellence and strategic growth for the organization. She oversees day-to-day operations, ensuring that teams and projects run efficiently and align with GlomCon’s mission. With a strong background in organizational leadership and process optimization, Sarah implements systems that enhance productivity and collaboration. Her commitment to innovation and problem-solving helps GlomCon deliver exceptional results to clients and stakeholders. Sarah is passionate about creating an environment where people and ideas can thrive.
Olivia Speller
Student Ambassador Lead and Screening Event SupportOlivia Speller is a collaborative teammate who leads EMBARK’s Student Ambassador Program and helps drive community engagement, bringing curiosity, care, and commitment to her work. She gained hands-on experience with screening events and community engagement during her internship with the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. Her connection to AMKD is deeply personal: she grew up as the child and caregiver of a parent affected by the disease and is a carrier herself. Olivia is motivated by health equity and eager to contribute while continuing to learn and grow in this work. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychological Science from Xavier University of Louisiana.
Nicole Martinez
Program ManagerNicole Martinez is committed to delivering her best in every task and continually seeks opportunities for growth and development. A true team player with strong interpersonal skills, she excels in handling people and fostering positive relationships. Her optimistic approach allows her to navigate challenges effectively, turning obstacles into opportunities for success.
EMBARK Awareness Steering Committee
The EMBARK Steering Committee comprises dedicated leaders, healthcare professionals, and community advocates who guide our mission through insight, direction, and accountability. They ensure EMBARK remains community-driven, evidence-based, and equitable while helping us shape strategies, strengthen partnerships, deliver targeted screenings and education, and advance national advocacy. We are grateful for their leadership and commitment to building healthier communities.
Daryl Crenshaw, MD, MBA
Chairperson, Professor, Florida State University
Malorie Holmes, MD
Vice Chair, General Nephrologist & Founder
Kidney Beans, Inc.
Emmanuel Adomako, MD, ChB
Assistant Professor
University of Kansas Medical Center
Alexander Bullen, MD
Assistant Professor
University of California
San Diego Health
Crystal Gadegbeku, MD
Chair of the Department of Kidney Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Sandra Gadson, MD
General Nephrologist
Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana
Keisha Gibson, MD, MPH
Sr Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Dept of Pediatrics
UNC School of Medicine
Adetokunbo Odunaiya, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Stanford Medicine
Itunu Owojemi, MBBS
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Will Ross, MD
General Nephrologist & Founder
WashU
Allison Mirza
Director of Marketing
Natera
Anas Abou-Ismail, MD, BCMAS
Associate Medical Director
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies
Sika Dunyoh
Senior Director of Patient Advocacy
Travere Therapeutics
Courtney Keplinger
Senior Director of Policy & Alliance Development
Vertex Pharmaceuticals