About Hopewell

Building a future where the body can become part of the solution.

Our Origin

The Founding Story

The Hopewell Foundation was not created in a laboratory. It was created through lived experience.

At 27, I underwent what I believed would be a routine nasal procedure. I chose a surgeon with exceptional credentials, respected, recognized, and affiliated with top institutions. I was certain I was in good hands.

What I didn't understand, and what many patients are never fully told, is that the nose is not just cosmetic. It is an incredibly delicate and complex structure: a framework of cartilage, bone, and soft tissue.

When one part changes, everything changes.

Katharine Derrey, Founder of the Hopewell Foundation, at the FDA
Katharine Derrey advocating for patients at the FDA

Our People

Built at the intersection of lived experience, science, and clinical innovation.

Founders

Katharine Derrey

Katharine Derrey

Founder & President

Patient advocate and founder of the Hopewell Foundation. Her personal experience with complex nasal reconstruction and ongoing studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling drive the Foundation's mission.

Ana-Maria Cîrjan

Ana-Maria Cîrjan

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Leads the organization's strategic growth, overseeing business development, partnerships, and long-term organizational strategy.

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Board of Directors

Our board carries legal fiduciary responsibility for the Foundation's governance, finances, and mission.

Katharine Derrey

Katharine Derrey

Founder & President

Ana-Maria Cîrjan

Ana-Maria Cîrjan

Co-Founder & Executive Director

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Zahraa Mahmoud

Zahraa Mahmoud

Chief of Staff

Leads patient advocacy operations and community engagement for the Foundation.

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Lorelei Frohlich

Treasurer

Oversees the financial management and stewardship of the Foundation.

Advisory Board

Our advisors bring expertise in patient access, regulatory pathways, policy, regenerative medicine strategy, and organizational leadership.

Dr. Kay Horsch

Dr. Kay Horsch

Advisor - Regenerative Medicine & Strategy

PhD in Cell Biology, University of Basel. Non-profit executive and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience at the intersection of regenerative medicine, medical technology, and organizational leadership.

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Stephen Martin

Stephen Martin

Advisor - Patient Access & Right to Try Policy

U.S. Lead at Infinita and Operations Lead of the Montana Experimental Treatment Review Board. Expert in patient access strategy and state-level clinical pathways for experimental treatments.

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Jacob Miller, MS, PMP

Jacob Miller, MS, PMP

Advisor - Translational Strategy & Partnerships

Translational strategy expert with experience spanning regenerative medicine, biotechnology, regulatory strategy, clinical research, and commercialization. Formerly led cell therapy commercialization at ARMI.

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Dr. Andreea L. Cretu

Dr. Andreea L. Cretu

Advisor - Innovation Strategy & Ecosystem Development

Strategy and innovation leader working at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and research translation. Leads the BioMed Entrepreneurship programs at the University of Zurich.

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Scientific Advisory Board

Our scientific advisors guide the Foundation's research priorities and technology evaluation.

Dr. Melanie Generali

Dr. Melanie Generali

Chair - Scientific Advisory Board

Scientific Head of the Cell and Tissue Engineering Division and Head of the iPSC Core Facility at IREM, University of Zurich.

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Position Open

Regulatory Science Advisor

We are seeking a biomedical researcher with expertise in FDA regulatory pathways for regenerative medicine and medical devices.

Patient Advisory Council

Our patient advisors ensure every decision the Foundation makes is grounded in lived experience.

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Ashley Stephenson

Patient Advocate

Cancer survivor and craniofacial reconstruction patient. Ashley has been a central voice in Hopewell's FDA advocacy work and patient community building.

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Join Our Council

We want to hear from you

Are you a patient who has navigated craniofacial or nasal reconstruction? hello@hopewellregenmed.org

Our Mission

To advance and responsibly translate regenerative cartilage and bone technologies, ensuring equitable access for patients in need of nasal reconstruction.

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you

Organizations We Support

AESNV - Asociación de Enfermos de Síndrome de Neuhaus Vascular