JANINE FRANCOLINI, M.A.
FOUNDER , CO-CHAIR
Through the creation of The Flawless Foundation, Janine has found the perfect vehicle to combine her professional experience with her passion to serve the most vulnerable members of our human family. She serves on the board of the Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy and Ethics at the USC Gould School of Law as well as many advisory boards of non-profits. Janine has a Masters’ degree from Columbia University and had a 15-year career in education as a teacher and administrator in New York City. A sought-after speaker and consultant, Janine collaborates with clients on mental health advocacy, communications, and digital media. She is also a frequent blogger on various platforms including the Huffington Post. Janine is certified in Mental Health First Aid, is a Nia White Belt, and has advanced training in Collaborative Problem Solving, the RULER Approach to Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness.
GEORGE GIULIANI, Psy.D, J.D., M.S., M.A.
CO-CHAIR
George Giuliani is a full-time Associate Professor at Hofstra University’s School of Education. He is the former Speaker of the University Faculty and Chair of the Senate Executive Committee. George earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, M.S. from St. John’s University, J.D. from City University of New York School of Law, and M.A. and Psy.D. from Rutgers University. George is a NYS Licensed Psychologist and NYS Certified School Psychologist. He is Board Certified in (1) Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology; (2) Forensic Sciences; (3) Special Education; and (4) Special Education Advocacy. Dr. Giuliani is the Executive Director of the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) and is Editor in Chief of two peer reviewed journals, Hofstra University’s Special Education Research, Policy, & Practice (SERPP), and AASEP’s Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP). In addition, he is the co-author of various articles in the New York State Family Law Review of the New York State Bar Association and has numerous publications in the field of special education and psychology.
PIERRE HAUSER, M.A.
VICE CHAIR
Pierre Hauser is a long-time philanthropic activist. He is co-founder and co-president of the Daphne Foundation, which funds programs that confront the causes and consequences of poverty in New York City and West Africa. He is also on the board of the North Star Fund (a community foundation that supports community organizing in New York City) and the Roy Disney Family Foundation (which backs efforts to protect the oceans). Having previously worked as a reporter, editor, and author of history books for young adults, he currently writes fiction and invests in films. He has a BA from Yale University, an MA from Columbia University, and an MFA from The New School. He is proud to be involved in The Flawless Foundation as it confronts the urgent need to improve care for people with brain health differences.
MAGNES WELSH, MBA
SECRETARY
Magnes Welsh has worked with global clients through her own communications and corporate social responsibility consultancy, Magnes Communications, since 1990. Prior to that, she served in senior communications and public relations positions for Kraft Foods and FedEx. She has a history of serving on charitable boards that support leadership for women and vulnerable children. Magnes currently is also a director of Evan’s Life Foundation and Gamma Phi Beta Foundation. Her passions include expanding consciousness, sharing and helping others share unconditional love, and traveling the world. She earned a BA in journalism from the University of Memphis and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Magnes joined The Flawless Board of Directors after serving on the Advisory Board for four years.
NATHANIEL COUNTS, J.D.
TREASURER
Nathaniel Counts, J.D., is the Senior Policy Advisor for Mental Health to the Commissioner of Health & Mental Hygiene for the City of New York. He also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Formerly, Nathanial was the Senior Vice President of behavioral health innovation for Mental Health America (MHA) MHA, where he led policy research and advocacy centered around addressing social and economic determinants of behavioral health, prevention and population-health strategies, and impacts of consumer technologies. Nathaniel’s research has focused on aligning incentives to finance effective prevention and intervention in behavioral health, including publications in journals such as JAMA Pediatrics, Lancet Psychiatry, and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Nathaniel is an expert member of the Forum on Promoting Children’s Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Health at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Nathaniel received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was a Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy Student Fellow, and Nathaniel holds a BA in biology from Johns Hopkins University.
BARBARA BOROZAN
BOARD MEMBER
Barbara was born and raised in New York, NY, and is currently the Senior Vice President at Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in International Relations. At Cornell, Barbara served as President of the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business fraternity and Vice President of Judicial Affairs for the Panhellenic Executive Council. Barbara started her career in finance at Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York, NY, where she worked in their Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities division. In 2014, Barbara joined Stone Ridge Asset Management. She is also an entrepreneur, focusing on health and wellness, and she continues to reside in New York. Barbara is particularly passionate about mental health awareness, and she is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of The Flawless Foundation.
KOJO SARFO, DNP, PMHNP-BC
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Kojo Sarfo, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Ghanaian-American Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and author. He graduated from the University of West Alabama with his Associate’s Degree in Nursing and then obtained his Bachelor’s in Nursing from Western Governors University. He went on to obtain his Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Augusta University with a specialty in Psychiatry. He has three years of teaching experience as an adjunct professor at the College of Nursing at Augusta University. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Abrantie & Signora, LLC, which is a clothing company dedicated to spreading positivity and mental health awareness for teenagers and college students. Dr. Sarfo is a social media influencer and uses his platform to educate and share his passion for treating and caring for people with a wide range of mental health conditions.
ROSS SZABO
BOARD MEMBER
Ross Szabo is the Wellness Director at the Geffen Academy at UCLA, an award-winning speaker, author, consultant, and returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Szabo has spoken to over one million people about mental health and his experiences with bipolar disorder. His pioneering efforts in the mental health field have resulted in him receiving multiple awards, including the 2010 Didi Hirsch Removing the Stigma Leadership Award. Szabo was the Director of Outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign where he helped create the first-ever youth mental health speakers’ bureau. He is the co-author of Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health – A Guide for Young Adults, which is used as a curriculum in high schools and colleges. He balances his life with yoga and swimming and is excited to be a part of The Flawless Foundation’s efforts to create change!
MICHAEL THOMPSON
BOARD MEMBER
Michael Thompson is the President and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare and employee benefits strategy development and implementation, design, financing, operations, and analysis. Mike serves as a national thought leader for health strategies for the health industries practice including as a leading subject matter specialist on health reform. He has participated on the steering board of the World Economic Forum “Working for Wellness” initiative and for over a decade has been a leader in developing and promoting collaborative cross-sector health industry initiatives. Michael is the past board president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC, where he co-chairs the “I Will Listen” campaign. He also serves on the board of the Northeast Business Group on Health where he is the chair of the mental health subcommittee.
CECILLIA XIE, JD
BOARD MEMBER
Cecillia Xie is an associate at the law firm Morrison & Foerster and a lecturer at Yale University. Her pro bono work includes projects for charter schools, criminal justice initiatives, and legal advice for at-risk youth. She is passionate about early education and technological impacts on culture and society. In her free time, Cecillia is a dancer, content creator, creative writer, and world traveler. She holds a BA in economics from Yale University and received her JD from Harvard Law School, where she was President of the Child & Youth Advocates, an organization dedicated to children’s issues. She is excited for the opportunity to further The Flawless Foundation’s mission of support and acceptance of all individuals with brain health challenges.