Bara Colodne, Founder

Bara was born and raised in Manhattan, New York. She was diagnosed with NF1 when she was only 10 days old and has had over thirty surgeries as a result. Despite living with the challenges of NF1, Bara continues to be a source of positive energy for all around her. Bara attended The Birch Wathen Lenox School, graduating in 1999. Bara then attended the University of Hartford where she majored in Human Services. Bara completed several internships during her time on campus by working with socially and financially disadvantaged children and the physically disabled. Bara held her first event for The Children’s Tumor Foundation on her University campus in the spring of 2002. The comedy and raffle night brought awareness about NF to the students at Hartford University and all proceeds went to help send children with NF to the Foundation’s Summer Camp. In addition, Bara was also an active member of Hillel, creating the Big Brother/Big Sister program. Additionally, she helped found the Delta Zeta Sorority, Pi Beta chapter. Bara graduated Cum Laude from the University of Hartford in 2003. Bara continued her journey of helping people by earning her Masters in Social Work in May 2005 from NYU's Shirley M. Ehrenkranz School of Social Work.

Bara now works as a social worker at the Federation Employment and Guidance Service, Inc. (FEGS), where she works one-to-one with clients on the Welfare System and supports the client through the transition from "Welfare to Work". 

Bara and her family have been involved with the Foundation for the past 27 years and were one of the first families to be members.

Marissa Sappho, Chair

Marissa Sappho was born and raised in Manhattan where she attended Riverdale Country School, The Hewitt School, and graduated from The Dwight School in 1999. Marissa spent her high school years involved in local children's charities, organizing fundraisers for the ABC house, and volunteering at New York Presbyterian Hospital on the pediatric unit. Marissa continued supporting children's charities when she attended the University of Hartford in Connecticut where she served as a teacher's aide in a local urban elementary school and volunteered at the West Hartford JCC in their tot Shabbat program. Marissa also worked at the University's on-campus reading and writing center, where she tutored her peers in 100-500 level classes, teaching grammar and elements of style to learning disabled students.

Marissa designed, wrote, and implemented the psychological experiment entitled "Provocative Media Images and Their Effects on the Self-Esteem of College-Aged Women," as part of the Honors Psychology Program from which she graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in psychology in May of 2003. Marissa earned her M.S.W. degree, from NYU's Shirley M. Ehrenkranz School of Social Work in May of 2006 and earned her license in March of 2007. Marissa currently works as a psychiatric social worker and team leader at Gateway Counseling Center in the Bronx.

She has served as the NYC Young Professionals Committee Chair for the last three years. Marissa is a member of Studio 53 at the Museum of Arts and Design and a member of the Young Non-Profit Professionals Network.

Marissa became involved with CTF through her friend Bara Colodne (with whom she attended both undergraduate and graduate school) during college when they collaborated on a CTF fundraiser by selling raffle tickets to their peers.

Marissa states, "Passion and commitment are necessary to achieve one's goals. Support and vision can effect seemingly insurmountable tasks to be accomplished. With the support of CTF and the young professionals of NYC it is my hope that my passion, commitment and vision will secure a positive future for this disease and eventually a cure."

Dana Landis, Events Chair

Dana Landis grew up in NYC where she attended both the Horace Mann School and graduated from Columbia Prep. After high school Dana spent her college years in New Orleans, attending Tulane University. With an interest in Real Estate Development, she joined the field after college. Dana launched her own real estate development company in the fall of 2006, called Highland Development, where they focus mainly on residential development.

One of her dearest and oldest friends has NF and Dana was exposed to the disease at an early age. Always attending annual fundraisers, but more importantly always learning and trying to contribute to the foundation, this led to her helping to establish the young professionals committee in 2004. Dana really enjoys being involved in the Children’s Tumor Foundation and has a real passion in trying to contribute to the foundation in finding a cure.

"Creating this committee was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To participate in spreading awareness to the youth community and raising funds to aid in the potential cure is extremely rewarding. There is nothing more satisfying then giving your time to help and contribute to one day finding a cure to treat NF".

Chris Burkett, Media Relations Chair

Chris was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his background and love for theater/film lead him to The School of Visual Arts in New York City. He produced a number of screenplays and short films during that time and received his BS in Film in the Summer of 2000. Following his graduation, Chris worked for a number of years in various aspects of the film industry.

While still maintaining that love, Chris decided he needed a change of careers. He returned to school in 2005 and graduated with high honors from Hunter College with a Masters in Counseling in 2007. His aim is to now work with underprivileged or disabled
children.

This is Chris' first time working with the foundation and he is very happy and excited to be aboard. He was diagnosed with NF at a very early age and his life has been greatly impacted by condition. He hopes his involvement will lead to greater awareness and someday a cure.

Micah Feinberg, Publicity Chair

Micah was born and raised in Sharon, Massachusetts. He attended prep school at The Winchendon School during his high school years. It was at The Winchendon School that his philanthropic values were realized as he became involved in local community service events volunteering at the local soup kitchen, and making a difference within the walls of Winchendon as a part of the student council. Upon graduation Micah made his way to the University of Hartford to major in Management and minor in communications bringing together two of his passions.

During Micah’s four years at the University of Hartford he gained solid business acumen and global perspective through studying abroad in London, England. During Micah’s time abroad he realized his love and appreciation of diversity and living in the epicenter of a metropolitan area. Upon return to the United States Micah interned at the prestigious Marsh & McLennan in New York City before going back to West Hartford for his final year of university. After graduation Micah moved to New York City, to pursue a career in financial services. It was at this time Micah re-connected with his friend and fellow Hartford University alum Bara Colodne. The pair who initially met at a Hillel Shabbat during their freshman year of college forged a new friendship and together helped form the Young Professionals Committee. Micah currently works at JPMorgan Chase as an Associate within Credit Risk Management in their Investment Bank.

The last four years of involvement with the Young Professionals Committee has allowed Micah to help build Bara’s vision of one day discovering a cure for NF while helping raise awareness of this potentially devastating disease. Micah looks forward to continuing to foster growth within the committee as well as continuing to educated the community about Neurofibromatosis.

Andrew Katz, Membership Chair

Andrew, born and raised in New York City first became involved with the Children’s Tumor Foundation through his parents involvement as Board Members; he has been on the Young Professionals Committee for the last three years. He was educated in Manhattan and received his degree in Education. He is currently pursuing employment as a History Teacher.