Chapter Board Members
Therese Crutcher-Marin, President
Mrs. Crutcher-Marin is a retired healthcare professional, President for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter published author and Huntington’s disease (HD) advocate. Therese has a Masters in Healthcare Administration and the last 10 years of her career was in hospice care. In January 2020, Therese and a team of local HD advocates established the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate to serve SF Bay Area families struggling with Huntington’s Disease (HD). The San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate was awarded the HDSA Affiliate of the year in 2021. Therese penned a memoir and published in 2017, Watching Their Dance: Three Sisters, a Genetic Disease and Marrying into a Family At Risk For Huntington’s and donated over $16,000.00, from book sale profit, to the nonprofit, HDSA, in memory of her three (3) sisters-in-law who died of HD complications. In 2019, she received the HDSA Woody Guthrie Advocacy Award. Her husband, John, and Therese live in Petaluma California, the San Francisco North Bay where their two children, their spouses and grand children live. Therese and her family are forever grateful that John tested negative for HD in 2016.
Rebekah Granlund, Vice President
Rebekah is an early childhood educator, working towards a teaching credential for public K-5 schools. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, as well a minor in Human Development and Family Science from CSU Monterey Bay. Rebekah has a very personal connection to HDSA and their mission, having lost her father to HD in 2022. Prior to becoming symptomatic, her father was adamant about being an advocate for Huntington’s Disease, and with the help of their family they began participating in Team Hope walks, creating “Team Harold”. It is Rebekah’s hope to continue to advocate for the many families affected by HD, continue the legacy her family began, and to fight for a cure. In her free time, you can find her out line dancing, or at home enjoying a cozy book while petting her dog and probably not finishing her entire cup of coffee!
Jay Denhart-Lillard, Secretary
Jay Denhart-Lillard is a 25-year marketing veteran, who has designed brands, strategies, and campaigns for international clients and Fortune 500 companies. He joined the local HDSA affiliate in 2019, having only recently discovered a string of cousins in his spouse’s family with the mutant Huntington gene. Jay serves on the board as the Chapter Secretary and leads the Web/Communications Committee, where he designs campaigns for community outreach and education. When he is not experimenting with new technology, platforms, and social networks, he likes to cook, go to the theatre, or make music. He has a B.A. from Indiana University and works at Genentech as a Marketing Director in Neurological Rare Disease.
Keith Marin, Treasurer
Keith Marin currently hold the role as the Senior Financial Analyst for Vintage Wine Estates. Keith has had an extensive career as a financial professional and data analyst. Keith’s financial acumen stems from seeking to understand, scrupulous attention to detail, and enjoys being a data junkie. Keith’s family has been directly affected by HD with his three aunts and biological Grandmother on his fathers side. This has been an underlining passing to live life to the fullest and raise awareness of HD. Keith currently holds the role of treasure on the Bay Area Chapter. Keith resides in the Novato in the North Bay with his wife (Frances), and daughter (Marlena). Keith enjoys spending time with his family, Bike riding, going on hikes with his wife, and always trying to find the perfect beer (which he continuously keeps trying to find).
Uma Thontakudi
Uma Thontakudi is an educator with a master’s in mathematics, master’s in software engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Indian Classical Music (Hindustani style, vocal). After pursuing a career as a teacher and software engineer, she decided to own and run an educational franchise to help lay a strong foundation in mathematics and English for children in the age group that spans preschoolers through high school. Community service and volunteering has always been a passion for Uma. After her children moved away to college, she decided to devote her time to volunteering. In January 2020 she was introduced to Mrs. Therese Crutcher-Marin, Chair for HDSA SF Bay Area Affiliate. She joined Mrs. Crutcher-Marin’s team as a fundraising volunteer. Under the guidance of Mrs. Crutcher-Marin, Uma learned the ropes of volunteering and understood the mission of HDSA. It has now become the mission of Uma and her husband Jaykumar Thontakudi to support HDSA in their mission and help the HD community. Uma lives in Cupertino, California.
Fran Marin
Fran Marin currently serves as the Assistant Athletic Director, Events and Camps at Stanford Athletics. Fran has dedicated her career to improving the game day experience for student-athletes, ensuring they are able to successfully compete at the highest level. Fran’s passion for college athletics stems from her time as a student-athlete at Menlo College, where she played basketball for the Oaks and met her husband and fellow board member, Keith Marin, in 2006. Fran discovered Keith’s three aunts passed from Huntington’s Disease, which led her to participate in and volunteer for several Bay Area HD events. Fran serves on the board and assists with Team Hope Walk event day logistics and support. Fran has her B.S. from Menlo College and M.A. from the University of San Francisco. Fran resides in the north bay with her husband, and enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, cooking, and exploring new parks with her daughter, Marlena.
Daniel Denhart-Lillard
Daniel Denhart-Lillard is a retired Executive Assistant, and has worked on numerous domestic and international boards, committees, and teams helping them with facilitation, event planning, fundraising, record keeping, and process improvement. Most recently he worked with the Board of the Louisville Pride Foundation for 2 years as Secretary, Treasurer, and Administrative Consultant. Daniel’s aunt-by-marriage was afflicted with HD, as well as her sister, and her sister’s 4 children, some of whom were his friends and classmates. Daniel has a B.A. in music performance, and, In addition to his work with nonprofits, he collects coins, Depression and Heisey glassware, antiques, and enjoys cooking and food preservation. Daniel and Jay live in San Mateo with their cat, Violet
Hayley Wong
Hayley, a compassionate and dedicated board member, who made the move from Singapore to California in 2023. With a background in employee engagement and events management, she now devotes her time by offering fundraising support to the chapter. Hayley's commitment to making a difference extends beyond HDSA, as she also volunteers with One Bread Foundation Inc. In her leisure, she delights in reading, exploring thrift shops, and savoring a delightful cup of boba.
Ragheb Ashar
Ragheb Ashar is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley. He hails from Folsom, California and has volunteered with various organizations throughout California–such as Best Buddies and Code for America. He tutors students from his community on differing topics, such as math, English, and science, and during his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing basketball.
Abby Solomon
Abby Solomon is a pediatric nurse at Lucille Packard Childrens’s Hospital. She has been involved in her mother’s care who is affected by Huntingtons disease. Her mother’s diagnosis led her to becoming a more active member in the HD community, where she finds joy in spreading awareness about this disease and participating in fundraising events. In Abby’s free time she enjoys reading and roadtrips with her husband and dog.
Jeanette Hrnyak
Ms. Jeanette Hrnyak serves as the Conference and Education Assistant in the Office of the Circuit Executive at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She brings a wealth of experience from a diverse professional background in hospitality, events, and the travel industry. In addition to her professional work, Jeanette is proud to be a member of the board of the San Francisco Chapter of the Huntington's Disease Society of America, where she supports the organization's mission to raise awareness and aid families affected by Huntington's disease.