who we are
In May 2014, Christine Kondra (Doherty) along with her sister, Erin Kreszl (Doherty) founded The Bee Foundation inspired by their cousin, Jennifer Sedney, who died December 25, 2013 at the age of 27 from a ruptured brain aneurysm. Christine, a previous biopharmaceutical director, successful entrepreneur and private chef, and Erin, an institutional investment consultant and University of Michigan Ross School of Business graduate, are dedicated to creating a vibrant and dynamic organization that will achieve its vision by focusing on their mission and leveraging their network and previous experiences.
Our Mission
The mission of The Bee Foundation is to raise awareness of brain aneurysms and increase funding for innovative research that saves lives. We are building a robust and dynamic research community with our Scientific Advisory Board, donors and network of researchers interested in grant funding to support meaningful research. Our community, anchored by and grant recipients and Bee Hive network, is committed to advancing brain aneurysm research.
TBF INSPIRATION
Jennifer A. Sedney
September 12, 1986 – December 25, 2013
On December 25, 2013, we said goodbye to a remarkable young woman who was taken from us too early. At the age of 27, Jennifer A. Sedney suffered a fatal brain aneurysm that burst with few warning signs. Jenny danced through life and left a smile on the face of everyone she passed. She was a daughter, sister, soul mate, niece, cousin, colleague, student, partner, and most importantly, a true friend. The Bee Foundation was created with that spirit by her family and friends to raise brain aneurysm awareness and funds for innovative research.
To use her own words, Jenny worked hard and played hard. She was a lover of all things culinary, and a curious Philadelphia implant who took constant photos to document the world around her. In her free time Jenny became a certified health coach to support those around her become a little more radiant. Her health blog, The WellNest, was founded on three guiding principles which she lived her life by:
“Bee Curious. Bee Radiant. Bee Well.”
Our Board Of Directors
Michael G. Kane, COO/Local Markets, USA TODAY Network, Wilmington DE
Christine Kondra (Doherty), Co-Founder, Director of Strategy Research & Policy
Erin Kreszl (Doherty), Co-Founder & Executive Director
Steve McIlwain, Board Member, Health Care Consultant for Vynamic (not pictured)
Alison Sedney, Board Member and mother of Jennifer A. Sedney
Eileen Smith, Board Member, Health Care Consultant for Vynamic
Mark Stevens, Board Member, Vice President for HartfordFunds (not pictured)
Todd Helton, MBA, Senior Director – Global Conferences & Events for Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (not pictured)
Awareness Ambassadors
Elizabeth Ratta, Awareness Ambassador & Support Liason
Debbie Bryden, Awareness Advocate – in memory of husband, Kenny Bryden
Kavita Basi, Brain Aneurysm Survivor and Awareness Advocate
Each of our Awareness Ambassadors’ lives have been impacted forever and suddenly by a Brain Aneurysm.
Awareness Ambassadors
Tatum Gordon, Awareness Advocate – in memory of fiancee, Dylan Hopp
Debbie Bryden, Awareness Advocate – in memory of husband, Kenny Bryden
Kavita Basi, Brain Aneurysm Survivor and Awareness Advocate
Each of our Awareness Ambassadors’ lives have been impacted forever and suddenly by a Brain Aneurysm.
Our Team
Laura Geib, Director of Operations and Event Planning at The Bee Foundation
Christine Kondra (Doherty), Co-Founder, Director of Strategy
Erin Kreszl (Doherty), Co-Founder & Executive Director
Tricia Scobey, TBF New Jersey Team Leader
Jared Scobey, TBF New Jersey Team Associate
Connect With Us
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Read Our Awareness Ambassadors Stories Now...
Being a brain injury survivor puts me into an extremely vulnerable category. Not because I may catch what is going around quicker – which is also a frightening though, but …
Tatum Gordon and her boyfriend, Dylan Hopp, were months away from some exciting events – they had just picked out engagement rings and were preparing for the opening of their …
In March of 2015, Kavita Basi was taken to the hospital with a life-threatening illness – a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. She was treated with 4 brain operations. There is a 50% …