A Personal Note From Our Chairman of the Board

Growing up with a best friend who lived with seizures since childhood, and as someone who has worked in the field of epilepsy for over ten years as an employee of UCB, Inc. (often referred to as “The Epilepsy Company”), I have witnessed the challenges and triumphs of many individuals and families living with epilepsy and seizure disorders. I have supported individuals and families while hearing their laughter and tears as they fought for answers and advocated to be heard. I have also seen their fear of the unknown and wishes for a brighter future. 

Over the years, I learned of the unique privilege and responsibility I had come to have—being the voice for others when they otherwise could not or did not wish to speak. As a Board Member for the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia since 2014, I have had the opportunity to support families living in Georgia by supporting and working with this incredible Foundation that offers comprehensive services and programs to help every individual and family navigate their unique journey.

In the years to follow, I will work with our Board to continue our unwavering support for our community through continued education and awareness, enhancing health equity across the state by increasing access to affordable and advanced treatment options, and continuing to nurture and advance our suite of services. 

We understand that care is a family affair and that it takes a village to support both the person living with a seizure disorder and all those who come around that person to provide love and care. Whether you are personally living with a seizure disorder, caring for another living with a seizure disorder, or simply wishing to be an ally and a voice, we are here to support and work with you. We are your village.

As you read this note, I invite you to join us as we help to transform one person at a time from a feeling of “me” to “we.” Together, we can make a difference for the more than 110,000 people living with epilepsy in our great state of Georgia. 

If you are interested in speaking with us to offer ideas, suggestions, or feedback for the Foundation, please reach me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/jameshlavenka or email at [email protected].

James F. Hlavenka, Esq.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia

The Board Members of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia are volunteers dedicated to helping Georgians with epilepsy and seizure disorders. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board, please contact us at [email protected].

2023 - 2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairman
James Hlavenka, UCB, Inc.

Treasurer
Jonathan Terry, UPS Capital

Executive Committee Member
Amber Park, Willis Towers Watson

Past Chairman
Doug Miller, Citizens Bank

Professional Advisory Board Chair
Lawrence Seiden, MD, MS Center of Atlanta

2023 - 2024
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Allison Affleck, Affleck & Gordon
Allison Bacon, IBM
Brad Gibbs, Arkema
Wilson Glover, Glover Telecom Consulting
Diane Lechter
Lisa Millard, DHL Express
Kim Moran, UCB, Inc.
Bernard Reynolds, TrueNorth Strategies
Brian Reynolds, Chatham Capital
Claudia Woodruff

Board Member Emeritus
John P. Bailey
Pete Graybill
Lemuel Horton
Darrell Mays
James H. Murphy

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

The Professional Advisory Board (PAB) are volunteers who provide the foundation specialized guidance relating to Georgians with epilepsy and seizure disorders. If you are interested in becoming a member of the PAB, please contact us at [email protected].

PAB Chair
Lawrence Seiden, MD – MS Center of Atlanta

Yvan Bamps, PhD – Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
Katie Bullinger, MD/PhD, Emory University, Epilepsy Center
Raymond Cheng, MD – ASCEND Pediatric Neurology
Joshua Chern, MD – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Raymond Dingledine, PhD – Emory University School of Medicine, Pharmacology
Fariba Farhidvash, MD – Piedmont Healthcare
Edward Faught, MD – Emory University, Epilepsy Center
Thomas Holmes, MD – WellStar Neurology
Archana Koganti, MD – WellStar Neurology
Eliana Kovitch, NP – PANDA Neurology
Allison Little, PhD – UCB, Inc.
Rakale Quarells, PhD – Morehouse School of Medicine/Emory University
Tina Robinson, MD – The Southeast Permanente Medical Group
Andres Rodriguez-Ruiz, MD – Emory University, Epilepsy Center
Kelly Simontacchi, PhD – Brainstorm Medical Consulting
Danielle Underwood, NP – Piedmont Healthcare
Alisha Valdez, PharmD – UCB Inc.
Philip Webber, PhD – Eisai