Startups
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
New York, NY, United States
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is a US public charity using venture philanthropy and mission-related investments to advance drugs, diagnostics and prevention for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Its scientific portfolio includes fluid, retinal and digital/AI biomarkers, clinical trials and neurotherapeutics; financial returns are reinvested in its mission. The Delaware nonprofit was incorporated in April2004 (EIN20-1082179), with the Lauder family’s earlier Alzheimer’s research philanthropy as historical context. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity, not a conventional VC manager or private foundation. The current staff directory names IsobelColeman CEO and LauraNisenbaum interimCSO; HowardFillit is cofounder/CSO emeritus. DiagnosticsAccelerator, launchedJuly2018, reports100MUSD philanthropic commitments, not an LP fund close or proof allpledges have been paid. The audited2024 statements distinguish approved contracted mission-related investment payables from cash received/paid and report financial returns only when received. The published team includes staff, governors, overseers and clearly marked honorary/in-memoriam affiliations; these are not all operating employees.
Team
 Aaron BursteinHead, Search and Evaluation |
Adam HoffmanGovernor |
Alice ShureGovernor |
Allan M. GreenBoard of Overseers Member |
 Allison RuttleyMajor Gifts Officer |
Ann JacksonGovernor |
Anthony (Nino) SireciGovernor |
Bal AgrawalBoard of Overseers Member |
 Betsy MillsAssociate Director, Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention |
Bonnie LautenbergGovernor |
Bonnie Pfeifer EvansGovernor |
Carol Seabrook BoulangerGovernor |
 Chandra GruberDirector, Grants Management |
Charles CangroBoard of Overseers Member |
Charlie Lefkowitz CrowleyBoard of Overseers Member |
 Christine ScerraSenior Director, Special Events and Development Operations |
Christopher JohnsonChair, Board of Overseers |
 Daniel Gross (ADDF)Controller |
Dave GersonBoard of Overseers Member |
 David DolbyGovernor |
David R. WeinrebGovernor |
 David Silver (ADDF)Senior Director Philanthropy and Partnerships |
Elise Gelman LefkowitzBoard of Overseers Member |
 Emily BerkowitzSenior Director, Communications |
 Gary LauderGovernor |
Gavin CookGovernor |
Gina F. FochettaBoard of Overseers Member |
Gregory A. RosicaBoard of Overseers Member |
 Henrik ZetterbergGovernor |
 Howard FillitCo-Founder and Chief Science Officer Emeritus |
 Isobel ColemanChief Executive Officer |
 Jane McIntoshChief Philanthropy and External Affairs Officer |
 Jenna IachettiSenior Manager, Special Events |
 Jennifer Hsiao-NakamotoSenior Program Officer, Diagnostics Accelerator |
 Jennifer PanlilioProgram Officer, Diagnostics Accelerator |
 Jerica ReederAssistant Director, SpeechDx, Diagnostics Accelerator |
 Jessica GallegosProject Manager, Diagnostics Accelerator |
Joel FlorinBoard of Overseers Member |
John H. ScullyBoard of Overseers Member |
Josh LauderBoard of Overseers Member |
 Julia LeonardManager, Communications |
Julie MedlerBoard of Overseers Member |
Julieann ShanahanGovernor |
Justice Sandra Day O'ConnorIn Memoriam |
Justin MeltzerBoard of Overseers Member |
 Karen HarrisExecutive Director, Mission Related Investments and Finance |
 Kathryn CarnazzaProgram Officer, Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention |
 Katie DolanSenior Manager, External Affairs |
 Katie MischikChief of Staff and Operations |
Kristin Rae CecchiBoard of Overseers Member |
 Lakita CavinSenior Attorney, Mission Related Investments |
Lanny EdelsohnGovernor |
 Laura NisenbaumInterim Chief Science Officer |
Laurence C. Leeds, Jr.Governor |
 Leonard A. LauderChairman Emeritus and Co-Founder • In Memoriam |
 Marina D'EmicChief Financial Officer |
 Marisa GooAssistant Director, Search and Evaluation |
 Melissa LeeDirector, Diagnostics Accelerator, Digital & AI |
Melvin R. GoodesIn Memoriam |
 Miia KivipeltoGovernor |
Mitchell D. EichenBoard of Overseers Member |
Mitchell KaneffBoard of Overseers Member |
 Mollie BoettcherManager, Grant Operations |
Nancy CorzineGovernor |
Nancy GoodesGovernor |
 Niranjan BoseGovernor |
 Olga KahnDirector, Fluid Biomarkers, Diagnostics Accelerator |
Paula ZahnGovernor |
Phebe Farrow PortBoard of Overseers Member |
Philip LovettBoard of Overseers Member |
 Phyllis Barkman FerrellBoard of Overseers Member |
Rachid IzzarGovernor |
Randal SandlerCo-Vice Chair and Secretary |
Richard C. MohsGovernor |
Robert A. BelferHonorary Member |
Roberta Diaz BrintonGovernor |
 Ronald S. LauderChairman and Co-Founder |
Sally SusmanHonorary Member |
Sharon T. SagerGovernor |
 Stephanie DunphyManager, Scientific Operations and Executive Assistant |
Stephanie GinsbergBoard of Overseers Member |
Stephen TomaBoard of Overseers Member |
Thomas F. McWilliamsCo-Vice Chair and Treasurer |
Tom ScanlanBoard of Overseers Member |
 Tyler DemarestDirector, Search and Evaluation |
Wendy L. WilshinBoard of Overseers Member |
 Yuko HaraDirector, Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention |
