Our Team
The People Behind the Mission
Dedicated professionals and volunteers committed to supporting families tackling childhood cancer.
Tom Coughlin
Founder & President
Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin is a former National Football League head coach who was part of three New York Giants Super Bowl winning teams, twice as head coach. He won his first Super Bowl while an assistant to legendary coach Bill Parcells in 1990.
Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading the team to two AFC Championship Games. Shortly after joining the Jaguars, he started the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation in 1996 to honor Jay McGillis, who played football under him at Boston College and passed away from leukemia.
In 2004, Coughlin joined the New York Giants for 12 Seasons as head coach, leading the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, both times beating the New England Patriots. The Jay Fund expanded to the New York and New Jersey in 2004 to serve families tackling childhood cancer in this area as well.
Coughlin ranks as the 14th winningest coach in NFL history with 170 wins.
Keli Coughlin
CEO
Keli Coughlin
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 1996
Title: CEO
Describe your role: I oversee the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and our team, ensuring that we are staying true to our mission and vision while meeting our fundraising goals.
What do you like to do for fun?: Outside of work, I love traveling, watching football, walking the beach with my dogs and spending time with my 2 daughters and husband.
Heather Bateman
Volunteer Coordinator
Heather Bateman
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2025
Title: Volunteer Coordinator
Describe your role:
I manage and support the Jay Fund’s volunteer program by recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers who help bring our mission to life through events, programs and family support.
What do you like to do for fun?:
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially anything involving water. I’m also an avid reader and love getting lost in fantasy novels.
Kelly Bussanich
Kelly Bussanich
Kelly Bussanich
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2017 (started as a volunteer in 2016!)
Title: Program Integration Coordinator
Describe your role: I assist the Jay Fund team in communication, events and program support to help families and caregivers stay informed, engaged and supported through the Jay Fund’s services.
What do you like to do for fun?: In my free time, I spend time with my husband and twins travelling, swimming and reading.
Mary Carnovale
Communications Manager
Mary Carnovale
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2021
Title: Communications Manager
Describe your role: I support all marketing and communications initiatives and help bring the Foundation’s mission to life through powerful and compelling messaging and storytelling to deepen the understanding and support for the families we serve.
What do you like to do for fun?: You can often find me jogging or out for a long walk with my dog, Blaze, with a good book playing in my headphones. I love creative outlets and am an enthusiastic needlepointer. Most of all, I cherish spending time with my husband, our three grown children and our large extended group of family and friends.
Susie Coughlin
Programs Officer
Susie Coughlin
Year you started at the Jay Fund: Started part-time in 2015, and transitioned to full-time in 2023
Title: Programs Officer
Describe your role: I help to ensure we are meeting the needs of Jay Fund families in the Jacksonville and New York/New Jersey regions. I analyze data locally and nationwide, as well as survey data from our families, to determine how the Jay Fund can improve the support we provide.
What do you like to do for fun?: I stay busy outside of work keeping up with our three teenagers, our dog Penny and cheering on the Michigan Wolverines every chance we get.
Suzanne Funke
Strategy and Growth Advisor
Suzanne Funke
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2017
Title: Celebrity Relations Manager
Describe your role: I manage celebrity relations and strategy for the Jay Fund, engaging our existing celebrities with the mission while cultivating new celebrity relationships through strategic alignments.
What do you like to do for fun?: Outside of work, I love spending time in the mountains or on the water and spending time with my husband, boys and 2 Chocolate Labs.
Sue Garbe
Program Director, NY/NJ Area
Sue Garbe
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2018
Title: Program Director, NY/NJ
Describe your role: I oversee programs that support families facing childhood cancer, with a strong focus on compassion and impact, while building trusted relationships with our families, social workers, and partner hospitals to ensure families’ needs are met.
What do you like to do for fun?: I love family time, traveling, hiking, camping with my husband and two dogs and having coffee and conversations with my friends.
Alex Garcia
Donor Engagement Manager
Alex Garcia
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2019
Title: Associate Director of Donor Engagement
Describe your role: I collaborate with individual and corporate donors to support our mission, while also managing our silent and live auctions, year-end campaign, and stewardship program.
What do you like to do for fun?: Outside of work, I stay busy with my energetic four-year-old son, Asher. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and tackling home-improvement projects. I’m currently renovating my kitchen and rebuilding the cabinets from scratch.
Rita Malie
Program Director
Rita Malie
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2007
Title: Program Director
Describe your role: I oversee and manage all financial assistance for families and plan and coordinate several family events throughout the year.
What do you like to do for fun?: When I’m not working, you can usually find me enjoying time with my family, shopping as a Maxxinista, relaxing with adult coloring, or getting lost in a good puzzle.
Kara Moletteire
Communications Coordinator
Kara Moletteire
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2025
Title: Communications Coordinator
Describe your role: I create strategic content for digital and print platforms to support the Jay Fund’s mission and fundraising efforts. I also manage the Jay Fund’s donor email campaigns and social media.
What do you like to do for fun?: Outside of work, I love watching live music, cheering on the Florida Gators, finding the best lattes and spending time with my family and friends.
Richard Naylor
COO
Richard Naylor
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2017
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Describe your role:
I oversee the Jay Fund’s day-to-day operations, including finance, human resources, and organizational systems, while working closely with the CEO and board to support strategic growth and ensure we remain focused on serving families facing childhood cancer.
What do you like to do for fun?:
Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, staying active, and spending time with family and friends—often finding a way to combine competition, community, and a little humor whenever possible.
Mary Jane Pulzello
Managing Director, NY/NJ Area
Mary Jane Pulzello
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2016
Title: Managing Director, NY/NJ Area
Describe your role: I am responsible for overseeing the organization’s overall operations and strategic direction. I ensure that the organization fulfills its mission by managing staff, developing programs, and securing funding. I build relationships with donors, manage budgets, write grants and lead fundraising efforts.
What do you like to do for fun?: I love traveling, hiking, baking, thrifting with friends and spending time with my family.
Lisa Storer
Office
Manager
Lisa Storer
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2022
Title: Office Manager / Executive Assistant
Describe your role:
I support the day-to-day operations of the Jay Fund and serve as Executive Assistant to the CEO Keli Coughlin, helping keep the organization running smoothly through administrative support, coordination, and behind-the-scenes logistics.
What do you like to do for fun?:
Outside of work, I love being by the ocean, staying active, and exploring new places with my puppy, Oakley. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and making the most of any opportunity to get outside.
Carolyn Tillo
Director of
Communications
Carolyn Tillo
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2022
Title: Director of Communications
Describe your role: I oversee the marketing and communications strategy for the Jay Fund and lead the communications team.
What do you like to do for fun?: Outside of work, I love traveling, going to barre classes and spending time with my husband and two cats.
Emmalee Tresnan, MSW, CCLS
Program Manager
Emmalee Tresnan
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2024
Title: Program Manager
Describe your role: In my role as a social worker and child life specialist at the Jay Fund, I oversee patient and family programs, including caregiver, sibling, and patient support. I work closely with families and community partners to create meaningful, supportive, and therapeutic experiences for those we serve.
What do you like to do for fun?:
Outside of work, I love traveling, cooking, being with my family, and spending time with my dog, Baker.
Lindsay Vachon
Community Relations Coordinator, NY/NJ
Emmalee Tresnan
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2022
Title: Community Relations Coordinator, NY/NJ
Describe your role: I assist both the Fundraising Team and Program Team. I am heavily involved with Impact Player Events (IPEs) and volunteer coordination for NY/NJ.
What do you like to do for fun?: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my dog, fiancé, family and friends. I also like to read and travel.
Edye Wright
Director of Community Engagement
Edye Wright
Year you started at the Jay Fund: 2020
Title: Director of Community Engagement
Describe your role: I oversee our Jacksonville Signature Events and our Ambassador and Impact Players in the Community, who help raise awareness and funds which supports the overall mission of the Jay Fund.
What do you like to do for fun?: I enjoy being outdoors working in my yard, keeping up with extended family and friends and seeing my boys and grandchildren, be it in Chicago, DC or right here in Jacksonville.
Board of Directors
Tom Coughlin – President
Keli Coughlin Joyce – CEO
Ernie Bono, Sr. – Vice President and Secretary
Brian Coughlin – Vice President
Dr. Michael Joyce – Medical Director
Sandra Ramsey – Treasurer
Ernie Bono, Jr.
Kevin Boothe
Gary Chartrand
Susan DuBow
Dr. Saundra Jackson
Chad Johnson
Tom Kelly
Shelly Kobb
Mike Lewis
Mike McGillis
Anne Coxe Mesrobian
Joanne Robertson
Advisory Board
Kristin Barbato
Maribel Carson
Tim Coughlin
Mark Herzlich
Andrea Kremer
Jon Miller
Sandy Montag
Kate Snee
Allison Stangeby
Honorary Board Members
Judy Coughlin†
Fran Foley
Ken Tonning†