Board of Directors

The Council on Brain Injury is comprised entirely of volunteers. In addition to organizing and running fundraising events, helmet giveaways, and other CoBI events, our Board of Directors offers guidance and support to CoBI’s mission and daily operations. Our Board of Directors consists of:

Joanne Finegan, MSA, CTRS, President

Joanne has been involved in brain injury since 1983. She and David Strauss, the inspiration for CoBI, worked together for many years to develop and grow ReMed’s rehabilitation and long term programs for people with acquired brain injury. Today, Joanne serves as the Chief Executive Officer of ReMed. Her interests are in the areas of leisure, social networks and relationships, and funding and resources. Joanne is a clinical instructor for a grant-funded Wounded Warrior program at Penn State’s main campus and is on the Advisory Board of Penn State Brandywine. She is also Past Chair and Board Trustee of the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

MJ Schmidt, MA, Chair

MJ has been involved in brain injury since 1983 when her brother sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. MJ also worked for many years as a rehabilitation case manager and Program Director for ReMed. She is currently a freelance writer and editor. MJ serves as Chair of CoBI’s Communication Committee and helps to coordinate and manage CoBI’s website content. Her interest is in the area of education and prevention.

Mary Pat Murphy, MSN, CRRN, Treasurer

Mary Pat has been involved in brain injury since 1985. She is the chair of CoBI’s Fundraising Committee and has been on the Board of Directors since its inception. Mary Pat is a nurse by profession and is the Vice President of Clinical Services for ReMed. Her interests are in the areas of aging and brain injury, vocational rehabilitation, and sports and concussions. Mary Pat serves on the Brain Injury Special Interest Group Committee for community re-entry and aging. She is President-Elect for the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and is part of the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities’ Project on ABI outcomes.

Kathryn (Kathi) Clayton, MS, Secretary

Kathi is one of the newest members of CoBI’s Board. She is a business and management consultant and the Principal of Garnet Consulting Group. Kathi is part of CoBI’s Strategic Planning Committee and has a particular interest in outreach and development. She is an Adjunct Professor in Entrepreneurship, Management, and Leadership at Penn State Brandywine where she chaired the Advisory Board from 2006 to 2010. She is also affiliated with The Enterprise Center of Philadelphia.

Rosette C. Biester, Ph.D.

Dr. Biester is a neuropsychologist and researcher at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center as well as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania Schoolof Medicine. She has extensive experience in the field of brain injury, including direct clinical experience with mild, moderate, and severe brain injury, TBI research including publications and grants, and supervision of doctoral level students studying neuropsychology and brain-injury. She joined CoBI’s Board in 2009 and has been an active contributor. Dr. Biester serves on a number special interest groups on brain injury including the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Special Interest Groups on mild brain injury and long-term care issues. She co-chairs its prognosis committee. She is also an accomplished presenter with extensive experience speaking to a wide range of audiences, including physiatrists, neurosurgeons, residents, nurses, case managers, and rehabilitation therapists.

Carolyn Cass, Ph.D.

Carolyn is Director of Child and Adult Health Services for the Bureau of Public Health of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health. She provides leadership in all aspects of the department’s operations including assessment, program design, and evaluation. Carolyn is and has been a champion for the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury and has served as the liaison to the Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board as well as the principal investigator for federal grants related to brain injury. Carolyn is also An Adjunct Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at West Chester University.

Eli DeHope, MSW, LCSW, BCD, Ph.D., MSW, MA, M.Ed.

Eli joined the Board in 2009 but has been involved in the field of brain injury for many years as both a clinician and a Clinical Director. She is part of CoBI’s Strategic Planning Committee with interests in both outreach to families and individuals and the development of opportunities for university students interested in brain injury. She is a Professor of Social Work at West Chester University with additional expertise in gerontology. Eli is also affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and its School of Social Work. She has a great deal of experience in both writing and managing grants and is extensively published in the fields of brain injury and social work.

John Savelloni, MBA, CPA

John is the newest member of CoBI’s Board and became involved first as a donor and fundraising participant. John is Chief Financial Officer of George Kempf Supply, Inc. His interest is in the area of finance.

Paul E. Wolfson, BA

Paul is one of the original members of CoBI’s Board. Paul is Vice President of NAI Geis Realty Group, Inc.. He first became involved in brain injury in 2004. Paul chairs CoBI’s Committee on Board Development and Nominations. He is also a READING STARS Program Coach.

Additional Acknowledgements



Additionally, the Board would like to acknowledge:

Rose Marie Dalton

Rose Marie provides administrative assistance to CoBI. She coordinates Board meetings, assists in the planning and implementation of all fundraising events, and offers other support wherever needed. Rose Marie is an essential member of the CoBI team.

Dave Krych, MS, CCC-SLP

Dave offers advice to CoBI from a communications and marketing perspective. He has been integral in the selection of the CoBI Award winners and has also advised on CoBI’s publications and website. Dave is the V.P. of Strategic Development of ReMed and has worked in brain injury since 1978. He was the co-founder of the Centre For Neuroskills (a Post Acute Program for TBI) and has both clinical and administrative experience. Dave is active in the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine where he co-chairs the prognosis committee and is on the long-term care issues and community reentry committees as well.

Ann Pereira-Ogan

Ann also provides advice to CoBI from a communications and marketing perspective. She developed CoBI’s website and is instrumental in its ongoing growth. Ann has also been integral in creation of CoBI’s logo, publications, and outreach. Ann is ReMed's Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Barbara Foder

Barbara is currently advising CoBI on all financial matters. She tracks all income/donations and expenses, prepares necessary reports, and is an important member of the CoBI team.

Joseph Baldassarre, CPA

Joe also provides CoBI with advice on financial and accounting matters. Joe is the Chief Financial Officer at ReMed and has many years of experience in business development and financial strategy, as well as information technology. Joe also serves on the Board of Directors of Special Teens Project and has worked as a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics.