The RYR-1 Foundation is honored to announce its inaugural Executive Director, John Gallo, MS, MBA. John brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. This includes previous executive director roles in economic development and children’s healthcare organizations. For the past 16 years, John has served as an academic dean in higher education where he was also awarded Teacher of the Year for his work in the classroom. John has an MBA from Northcentral University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. 

“Working in a nonprofit that focuses on rare genetic diseases is not just something that appeals to me personally, but the mission of The RYR-1 Foundation compelled me to serve as Executive Director. At The RYR-1 Foundation, I will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people who often face challenges and hardships that most of us cannot imagine. Not only can I help them find hope, support, and solutions, but through our work, we can also contribute to the advancement of science and medicine by discovering new insights and treatments. That’s more than a good cause; it’s a noble endeavor.” said John Gallo, MS, MBA, Executive Director of The RYR-1 Foundation.

“I have tremendous confidence that The RYR-1 Foundation, under John’s leadership, will continue its growth, support groundbreaking research, and expand services to the RYR-1 community,” said Michael F. Goldberg, MD, MPH, President of The RYR-1 Foundation. “The RYR-1 community, in general, and The RYR-1 Foundation, in particular, are lucky to have him on our ‘team.’”

The Executive Director is responsible for strategic planning and board development, cultivating growth and investment in the organization, professional development of staff and formalizing policies, procedures, marketing, and communications. With the addition of Mr. Gallo, The RYR-1 Foundation will continue to grow and accelerate into its next phase. Not only will John be an invaluable resource to The RYR-1 Foundation, but also to individuals and families affected by RYR-1-related diseases. For a detailed biographical sketch of John, please go to: www.ryr1.org/our-team/john-gallo. 

About The RYR-1 Foundation

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) public charity was launched in October 2014. It currently is the only organization that exists solely to advocate for and serve the needs of individuals affected by RYR-1-related diseases (RYR-1-RD), the most common cause of congenital myopathy. The mission of The RYR-1 Foundation is to support research leading to an effective treatment or a cure for RYR-1-RD, to educate physicians about RYR-1-RD, and to provide patient/family support and advocacy. To learn more about The RYR-1 Foundation, please go to: www.ryr1.org.