Meet Our Board of Directors

Jennifer Martin, President

​Jennifer is a classical educator and a high school speech and debate coach. She is passionate about effective communication and nurturing a love of learning in students and teachers. Prior to becoming an educator, Jennifer owned her own business from 2008-2014 working as a childbirth educator and doula. She served as Community Outreach Director for Dayton Area Labor Support in Dayton, Ohio, from 2009-2011. Jennifer's youngest two children were diagnosed in 2014 with a frameshift mutation of the GATAD2B gene due to a rare method of inheritance. The lack of adequate support, resources, and patient education for GAND families at that time were major factors in her motivation to start a charitable organization to serve this rare community. Jennifer lives with her husband Chris, an aeronautical engineer and Air Force Reservist, and their five children in Alabama.

Tammy Ruh, Vice President

Tammy is currently a registered dental hygienist of 11 years.  She is also a travel agent who specializes in working with special needs families. At 2 years of age, Tammy’s son was diagnosed in 2016 with a pathogenic variant in the GATAD2B gene. Since then, Tammy has been an active member of the GAND community, striving to connect with families and support Helping Hands for GAND in various ways. She has a passion for helping improve the lives of not only those with GAND, but all those affected by a disability. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband Donovan and 2 children.

Kristen McConnell, Secretary

Kristen McConnell is an ICU nurse specializing in neuroscience. She is also a writer who has written about the ethics of intensive care and about healthcare from a nurse's perspective, and she is passionate about helping people be knowledgeable and comfortable when faced with challenging medical situations. Her daughter was diagnosed with a GATAD2B mutation in 2017, at nine years old. She lives in New York with her husband Andrew, a high school English teacher, and their two daughters. ​

Mindy Hartzo, Treasurer

Mindy Hartzo brings nearly 20 years of account management experience to Helping Hands for GAND. She has also worked as a medical billing and coding specialist for the past 8 years. Mindy's oldest son received a diagnosis of GAND in 2015 at the age of 11. Since his birth, Mindy has taken a huge role in disability advocacy, striving to help as many people as possible. She is a 2009 Louisiana Partners in Policymaking graduate and served as the LaTEACH Region 7 leader in 2010, assisting families affected by developmental disabilities. Mindy lives in Louisiana with her husband Phillip and their two teenage sons.

Seth Duell, Director of Development

Seth has over 15 years of experience in fundraising and currently works as Development Director for 99 Balloons, an organization seeking to change the story of disability by building inclusive communities for families experiencing disability. After earning his Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas in 2010, Seth spent the following 5 years on staff at Endeavor Foundation writing grants for organizations working to make an impact in communities of Northwest Arkansas. In 2017, his infant son was diagnosed with GAND. Passionate about making the world a more accepting and equal place for people with disabilities, Seth is excited to see his son grow and move mountains. He lives with his wife Mindy and 6 children in Arkansas.