Welcoming our new board members for FY24

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is pleased to welcome five new members to our Board of Directors for the fiscal year 2024. Their terms began on September 1, 2023. Each new member brings experience and expertise that will strengthen our mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.  

“I’m thrilled these talented individuals are joining our organization, particularly now as we embark on our chapter’s fortieth birthday celebration,” says CEO Betsy Biern. “It’s an exciting time, and I look forward to their guidance and enthusiasm as we look to the next forty years of wish granting and beyond.” 

Rae Corr
President, Jonathan and Rae Corr Family Foundation  

Rae Corr dedicates her time and resources to improving the lives of children and families. Rae currently sits on the Board of Directors for I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center, where she consults in areas of marketing, fundraising, and overall strategic direction. Corr is the President of the Jonathan and Rae Corr Family Foundation, which allows her the opportunity to help and support many non-profit organizations in the Bay Area. With a background in marketing and a successful career at 24 Hour Fitness, she’s played a pivotal role in the company's nationwide expansion.  

Amanda Higgins
Vice President, Communications; Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region 

Amanda Higgins brings over 25 years of experience in communication leadership, including the past 15 years at Kaiser Permanente, to the Board. As Vice President, Communications, she shapes communication strategy, policy, and performance for one of the largest healthcare organizations in Northern California. Higgins' career spans various industries, from technology to consumer brands and includes public relations, corporate communications, and brand communications, and she has excelled in building high-performing teams and telling compelling stories that drive business results. 

Jen Kelly
Founding CEO, D8taMine   

Jen Kelly is the founding CEO of a technology application called D8taMine, where she has demonstrated her ability to build lucrative partnerships and drive revenue growth. Prior to founding D8taMine, Kelly was a globally recognized sales performer, excelling in sourcing and building lucrative partnerships. She has played basketball for the Olympic Club Women’s National Basketball Team for 12+ years, and her 2015 Women’s National Team has been inducted into the Olympic Club’s Hall of Fame. Kelly is an active Board and committee member and a Master’s candidate at Harvard Extension School. 

Scott Mandell
Consulting Principal, EY 

Scott Mandell has over 20 years of experience in the areas of consulting and advisory services. While at EY, he has had senior roles in both the U.S. and APAC, as well as led engagements for some of the largest global institutions. Mandell has regularly served as a key advisor to the Board of Directors of several major financial institutions and has been recognized as a global subject matter leader, including publishing thought leadership pieces and presenting at conferences across the world. 

Kristin Pace
Partner, Donahue Fitzgerald Attorneys   

Kristin Pace is a partner and longtime former co-chair of Donahue Fitzgerald’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group, chair of the firm’s Tax Practice Group, and a member of the Business and Corporate Transactions Practice Group. She focuses her practice on estate planning law, and estate and trust administration, as well as taxation. 

To see our full Board of Directors and our Advisory Councils for fiscal year 2024, visit wish.org/greaterbay/our-board and wish.org/greaterbay/our-advisory-councils.