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 daughter Lucia who suffers from 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. David’s primary focus is management of the foundation’s financial resources and governance.
Nelma Arancibia
Director / Secretary
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. Nelma’s primary focus is the management of the foundation’s day to day operations and initiatives.
Stephen Pratt
Director / President
WWOX Foundation of America
Stephen is the founder of the WWOX Foundation of America and is focused on expanding the Foundation in the United States. He works in collaboration with Johann to help propel the strategic vision of the WWOX Foundation worldwide. Stephen began working with the foundation via fundraising campaigns, grant applications and producing educational content for parents. He has a strong technical and project management background working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. Stephen lives near Seattle, Washington with his wife Karen and their two boys Luke and Jack both of whom suffer from WOREE Syndrome.