Amanda Janowick has a BA in Broadcast Journalism from DePaul University, Chicago, IL. She has an extensive background in video production with post producing, booking, research, coordinating, scheduling and field/studio experience.

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Her son Will was born with Biliary Atresia, went through the Kasai-procedure, and recently just received a liver transplant by a living donor- his dad. Both are recovering well and home. 

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Amanda has done volunteer work within her community including a local school district fundraiser where she built relationships with local organizations to become sponsors and gather donations. 

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Amanda resides in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL with her husband and two sons

Brittany Munn has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from SUNY Buffalo State. She has previous experience as a Marketing Consultant, as well as the Director of Operations for a WNY based company. Brittany currently runs and operates her own photography business in Western New York.

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In 2014, her youngest son was born and diagnosed with Biliary Atresia. At 6 months old, he received a life saving liver transplant through his father's live donation. Once her son's health stabilized, Brittany became focused on participating in the BA and Pediatric Liver Community. Brittany joins BARE with an extensive advocacy background. Her most recent project is developing mentor programs for both American and Canadian pediatric liver centers that aim to help bring support to new families diagnosed with pediatric liver diseases.

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Brittany currently lives just outside of Buffalo, NY with her husband and three children.

Chris Beeman is the Sr. Director of Global Accounts- Medtech for Brightinsight, which is the leading digital health platform for regulated medtech and biopharma digital solutions.  With over 20 years of commercial, organizational, and entrepreneurial leadership experience, Chris has spent the last decade helping organizations within the nonprofit and healthcare sectors create value through technological innovation and scale.  Among those endeavors includes co-founding GiveGab which is aleading nonprofit giving platform.  

 

In 2018, his son William was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia resulting in a liver transplant shortly thereafter.  As a result of that experience, Chris, along with his wife Anna, have directed their passion and experience towards raising awareness for Biliary Atresia research, organ donation & transplant, along with the mental health aspects for chronically ill patients and their families. 

 

Chris holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Richmond and resides in Hernando, MS with his wife and two children. 

Kate Mullen has her Masters in Social Work from New York University. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Registered Drama Therapist. Kate works in community mental health offering individual counseling to children, adolescents and adults. In the summer, Kate is the director of Triple Threat Theater Camp, an art’s intensive, bringing together Broadway and film professionals with young performers. Kate loves combining her theater background and integrating it with mental health and wellness. 

 

In 2016, Kate’s son Finn was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia and Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency.  At 8 months old, he received a life-saving liver transplant from a living donor. 

 

Kate is passionate about advocating for organ transplant accessibility for all children especially utilizing live donors. She strives to bring into focus post-transplant living and the duality of the gift that it is, and the trauma that surrounds it. 

 

Kate currently resides in Windham, NH with her husband John, son Finn, and puppy Ned.

Arvid Skrede has an associates degree in electronic engineering and technology from Herzing College. He has over 10 years experience in sales, IT, web design and metal trades Industries. He is A+, OSHA 30, Toyota Train the trainer and ISO 9001 certified.  

 

In 2013 his youngest daughter Sophia was diagnosed with biliary atresia. At 9 1/2 months old Sophia was transplanted via living donor.  From that point on Arvid has found a passion in using his skills to help educate on biliary atresia and liver transplants.  

 

Arvid resides in Wisconsin with his wife Stephanie and 4 children. 

Brenda Cortez is a living kidney donor, creator of Howl the Owl®, and author of the Howl children's book series, Because of Organ Donation series, and Voices-19. She owns BC Books Publishing, and helps authors share their story to inspire others through her coaching and publishing services. In addition to writing, Brenda has a background in sales and marketing. 

 

Ever since donating her kidney, Brenda has been an advocate for organ donation awareness, with an emphasis on pediatric awareness. 

 

Brenda and her husband have two grown children, and they reside in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Jenny Tice was born with Biliary Atresia and celebrated her 34th liver transplant anniversary on February 15th, 2023.  Jenny currently finances commercial buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area and in her free time enjoys several hobbies including being a dog Mom, hiking, biking and paddleboarding.  Jenny graduated with honors from Sonoma State University earning a bachelors in Economics and City and Regional Planning. 

She is a Donate Life Ambassador, and loves to share her story of how an organ donor saved her life.

Maria Bell holds a B.A. from Florida State University and an M.A. in Theoretical Linguistics from the University of Iowa. As a former linguist for the United States government, Maria's work and research supported defense, federal law enforcement, and intelligence community efforts across a broad spectrum of operations for multiple federal agencies. Since stepping away from this field, Maria has devoted her time to home education and research in classical methods of learning and instruction, which have been featured in online and print publications and podcasts. 

 

In 2021, Maria and her husband Ryan welcomed their fourth child. He was diagnosed with biliary atresia soon after birth, and at 22 months old, he received a life-saving liver transplant through living donation from an anonymous donor. 

 

Maria became active in advocacy work for pediatric liver disease in the months leading to her son's transplant and continues this work today. She brings this experience and her background in research and liaising to BARE to support strategy and policy initiatives and living donor awareness and education. 

 

Maria resides in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband and their four children.