Meet Our Board & Staff
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Akesha Allen
President
Akesha Allen was introduced to the hemophilia community when her son was diagnosed with Von Williebrand Disease. This diagnosis is what propelled her to become more involved in research and treatment options not just for her son, but for ALL people who have been and will be impacted with this disease.
Akesha has extreme passion for full and complete inclusion for all communities to be represented within Louisiana Hemophilia Foundation. While holding Board of Director positions with other organizations as well as a participant of the Von Williebrand Therapeutic Policy & Advocacy Advisory Board, Akesha is able to bring an aspect to our community which will allow for greater relationships to be built with underserved communities.
Subodh Pethe
Vice-President
Subodh Pethe, better known to us as Ben's dad, became involved with the bleeding disorders community the day Ben was born with severe Hemophilia. Over the years, he has seen the LHF go through some ups and downs, but also knows that this foundation does all it can to help the bleeding disorders community.
Professionally, Subodh is an IT Pro, he helps individuals by fixing their technology and related workflows. Now that his son Ben is in college, he has decided to continue to be actively involved on the board. He wants to use his expertise and knowledge to help make LHF the best chapter in the world.
David Reynaud
Secretary
David Reynaud 42-years old and has severe Hemophilia A, which he feels is a great qualifier to be able to serve those with rare bleeding disorders. Additionally, he was raised in a “Hemophilia” family, and can relate to family members and understand the unique challenges that arise while living and caring for someone with a bleeding disorder. He has access to a wealth of knowledge and experience from his uncle (fellow sever hemophiliac), and his parents, who in the past have been very active in the LHF.
He is married to Nicole Fassbender Reynaud, who many may know as Nurse Nicole. She is the nursing coordinator at the Tulane Hemophilia Treatment Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders. They have been married for nearly 18-years, and have a 7-year-old daughter named Watson, a Scottish Terrier named Stewie, 13 chickens, one rabbit and a newly adopted kitten named Gracie.
He enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and is very passionate about the game of golf. Even with a total knee replacement, a fused ankle and a severely arthritic elbow, he can hold his own on the course. Never hesitate to ask him to play should you need to fill a foursome.
David would like each one of you to know he is available anytime should you need to speak or meet with him. He along with the board welcome your ideas and visions to continue to make LHF the wonderful organization. He can be reached anytime at 225-623-9287.
Gwynn Shamlin
Trustee/Counsel
Gwynnshamlin@att.net
Gwynn Shamlin is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 1986 and attended Louisiana State University, receiving his B.S. in Education in 1990. He received his Juris Doctor from LSU Law School and was admitted to practice law in May of 1994. He received his Masters in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.
In addition to being a member of the Louisiana State Bar, Gwynn is a Licensed Prevention Professional and has worked as a classroom teacher and Director of the I CARE Program with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Gwynn currently serves as General Counsel to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. He serves as legal counsel to the Superintendent, Board Members, and staff and manages the legal affairs for the entire school district. He also has a small private practice specializing in estate planning.
He is married to Shilonda Shamlin and has two boys, Tre (23) and Connor (20). He and his wife are also raising a nephew, Brent (2).
Gwynn cites several reasons for committing to board service and assisting the Louisiana bleeding disorders community. He enjoys public service and strives to be a contributing member to the well-being of his local community. Also, he has some personal connections to more than one hemophilia family. Gwynn and his wife Shilonda became friends with Tre and Morgan Major when their sons went to school together.
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Jennifer Borrillo
HTC Board Representative
tulanehtc@lahemo.org
Jennifer Borrillo, MSW, LCSW, MBA has been a clinical social worker for almost 30 years. She has been with the Louisiana Center for Bleeding & Clotting Disorders at Tulane University for the past 17 years. She initially started at the Center as a part-time hemophilia social worker. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, destroying Louisiana’s State Factor Program located within the city, Jennifer helped launch the Center’s 340B factor program, which began serving patients in January 2007. Jennifer is currently in her thirteenth year as the Director of 340B pharmacy program and her fifth year as the Administrative Director of the Center.
She earned her MBA from the Tulane University Freeman School of Business in 2010, while working full-time, and received an appointment to the clinical faculty of the Tulane School of Medicine, Department of Hematology/Oncology. Jennifer is passionate about working with her Center’s patients and is dedicated to helping them secure the care and resources that they require. In 2013 Jennifer was awarded the Tulane Department of Medicine Chair’s Award for Excellence in Departmental Service and in 2016 the Louisiana Hemophilia Foundation’s Annual Advocacy Award. Previously, Jennifer served as the Great Plains Region NHF Social Work Working Group Representative. Jennifer is the current Board Chair of the Hemophilia Alliance and is on the NHF CCSC Advisory Board. Jennifer and her husband, Dr. Christopher Borrillo, have four children together, and live in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Ashley Castello
Executive Director
Ashley Castello is a mom of two boys, ten-year-old Leo and four-year-old Max. Max has Severe Hemophilia A with inhibitors. From the moment he was diagnosed, Ashley and her husband, Casey, knew that they would want to be involved in the community.
Ashley joined the board of directors with the hope of making a positive difference for families affected by bleeding disorders, and that led her to becoming the Executive Director. Ashley has also served on the Advocacy Leadership Council of the Hemophilia Federation of America and currently serves on their board. As Executive Director, she is dedicated to continuously improving LHF and ensuring that the bleeding disorders community has a reliable chapter for many years to come.
Make a difference in a big way.
Join the board of directors - we can't do it without you!
If interested, please reach out to:
Danielle Rowley at Outreach@lahemo.org or use the PDF Below to submit your application and returning via email.
Current Open Position
Treasurer