Our Story
Families Leading the Way
The WWOX Foundation Australia was founded by Johann Mentz and his partner Karla Sanjines in 2019, shortly after the birth of their daughter who was diagnosed with WOREE syndrome.
They discovered other families facing these devastating syndromes associated with WWOX deficiency and together they formed the Foundation.
The Foundation soon began funding research into WWOX-related disorders.
The WWOX Foundation has continued to grow and is now global with branches in the USA and Europe. Together, the WWOX Foundation supports research into WWOX-related disorders and helps connect families with information and resources.
Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
ABN: 90639202323
Board of Directors
Johann Mentz
Director / Founder
Johann is the founder of the WWOX Foundation and is strategically involved with all scientific aspects related to WWOX research. He is 100% focused on working with the WWOX Foundation’s scientific advisory board, researchers and clinicians to find a cure for WWOX-related syndromes such as WOREE and SCAR12. Johann comes from a strong technical background within the Information Technology industry. Johann lives in Sydney with his partner, Karla, and their beautiful children, Lucia and Daniel. Lucia has WOREE syndrome.
David Cohen
Director / Public Officer
As the Founder and Managing Director of a successful Sydney, Australia-based IT Solutions company, David has many years of experience running a successful organisation. David’s success has been driven by a commitment to service, to excellence and to building rewarding, long-term initiatives. We are very appreciative to have David’s fiscal management skills and business acumen part of the WWOX Foundation to ensure ongoing success in our efforts to raise awareness and to find a cure for WWOX-related syndromes.
Nelma Arancibia
Nelma is an experienced Project Manager who has a very successful career within the Property industry across Australia. Nelma has particular skills in communication management, task prioritising and design coordination, focusing mainly in stakeholder management. As a strong program and project management professional she brings with her a wealth of skills to assist the WWOX Foundation to achieve its goals of furthering and funding WWOX-related research and finding a cure of the devastating syndromes afflicting children born with mutations of the WWOX gene.