Jessica Haywood has joined the board for Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, bringing additional data analytics and social media expertise, strategic thinking, and the patient voice and lived experience of life with Sanfilippo Syndrome from a close relative’s perspective.
“We are thrilled and fortunate to have Jessica be part of Cure Sanfilippo Foundation’s Board of Directors and mission to bring treatments and a cure to children suffering from Sanfilippo Syndrome,” said Foundation President Glenn O’Neill. “Jessica has been volunteering her time and efforts in many ways over the years, from advocacy to fundraising to spreading awareness about Sanfilippo. Her robust skill set is a great asset to the mission of Cure Sanfilippo.”
Jessica is the Managing Partner of Otter Creek Investments, which focuses on impact investing in data-driven startups. She’s an active member of the Carolyn Smith Foundation board, which supports many nonprofits in Tennessee and beyond. Previously, Jessica served as Director of Research and Development at STR, the world leader in hospitality data analytics. While there, she helped lead new product development, data analytics, strategy, and partnerships.
In her personal life, Jessica manages social media for her niece, Sadie (age 7, Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A), to spread awareness of Sanfilippo Syndrome and share what it’s like to live with this rare disease (@SavingSadieRae on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok).
Jessica received a BFA in Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and an MS in Tourism Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the University of Hawaii.
“I’m honored to join this groundbreaking organization’s board and contribute to the Sanfilippo community in more ways. The work this Foundation has done to date has been remarkable, and I’m excited to help further the mission of advocating and finding treatments for Sanfilippo Syndrome,” said Haywood.
Cure Sanfilippo Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to advocating and funding research to bring about treatments and/or a cure for Sanfilippo Syndrome. Cure Sanfilippo has funded 38+ research grants around the world which has helped three clinical trials get underway, to date, treating children with Sanfilippo Syndrome. The Foundation creates and explores innovative and breakthrough research to ensure multiple promising paths are being explored in the effort to save children and better their quality of life.
Learn more about Sanfilippo Syndrome and the Foundation.