Meet our Team
Board of Directors
The Cure RTD Foundation’s Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the mission and purpose of the organization. Its duties include strategic planning and policy-making, the securing of funds, and the monitoring of decision execution. Members must be willing to attend the requisite meetings, follow through on commitments, and participate fully in the decision-making process. The board also presents the organization’s image to the community and solicits its support in achieving Cure RTD’s goals. Members of the Cure RTD’s Board of Directors serve three-year terms. For all correspondence, including information, please contact us.
Chad M. Griffith – Board Member and President
Mr. Griffith obtained a BS in Finance and a JD (Law Degree) from the University of Oklahoma and currently works for a private family-owned oil and gas company. Mr. Griffith is also deeply committed to and involved with the Cure RTD Foundation and was instrumental in establishing CRF’s first major fundraising events.
Mr. Griffith resides in Dallas, Texas, USA with his wife, and Cure RTD Foundation president, Melissa and their two children, Harper and Ellis. Their youngest daughter, Ellis, was diagnosed at the age of 2 with Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency Type 2 in 2016. Mr. Griffith offers his unique perspective of raising a child with RTD and has committed to work tirelessly to ensure that not one more child will suffer or perish from the disorder.
Keith Massey – Board Member and Science Director
A graduate of Carleton University and the University of Manitoba, Keith received his BEng in Aerospace Engineering, MSc in Biomechanical Engineering, and did his Ph.D. studies in Neurology with specialization in neuromuscular control. After his daughter Julia was diagnosed in 2013 with RTD Type 2 he dedicated himself to the RTD cause and was one of the co-founders of the Cure RTD Foundation. He is now one of the leading advocates and experts on living with RTD, RTD research, and clinical aspects of the disease. He speaks regularly with researchers and clinicians to help organize meetings, symposiums, and plan research related to RTD and is in regular contact with families affected by RTD around the world.
In 2016, Mr. Massey hosted the first annual RTD conference in Toronto, Canada and has co-authored several articles on RTD and done various presentation on RTD related issues. His natural interest in science and his familiarity with the research community makes him a particularly valuable advisor and Board member as Cure RTD pushes deeper and deeper into research and potential medical treatments for RTD.
In 2002 Mr. Massey co-founded PCM, a successful international technology firm with clients in over 50 countries. He sold PCM in 2015 in order to be able to dedicated himself 100% to the Cure RTD Foundation.
Keith resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his wife Jocelyn and two children, Julia and Katelyn. He also has two cousins once removed, Skye (18) and Haley (20), diagnosed in 2016 with RTD Type 2. As someone with a strong family presence of RTD, he has a deep, personal interest in advancing the efforts to raise awareness and fund the research necessary to advance treatment and find a cure for RTD.
Carly Gilbert – Vice President/Treasurer and Board Member
Carly serves as the Vice President and Treasurer for the Cure RTD Foundation. Carly became connected to the RTD community through her connection to the Griffith family. After hearing the story of Ellis Kate, she looked for ways to get involved and help bring awareness to this important cause. Carly earned her BS from Texas A&M University and has experience in supporting new, emerging non-profits from her time with Communities Foundation of Texas.
Clayton Greene – Secretary and Board Member
Clayton lives in Wilmington, NC with his wife Kristen and their two daughters. Clayton earned his BA in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Their oldest daughter, Cara, was diagnosed at 15 months of age with Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency Type 2 in 2014. Mr. Greene offers his unique perspective of raising a child with RTD and has committed to work tirelessly towards advancing treatment and finding a cure. Clayton is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, with practice experience in outpatient orthopedic therapy and TMD/TMJ issues. He currently works as the Pastor of Executive Leadership at The Bridge Church in Wilmington.
Volunteer Staff
Melissa C. Griffith – Volunteer and Ex-President
Ms. Griffith is a founding director and president of the Cure RTD Foundation. Ms. Griffith graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology and received her JD (Law Degree) from the Texas A&M School of Law. Through her work at District Attorney’s Office of Tarrant County, Texas she gained valuable experience in the legal field. Ms. Griffith developed the by-laws of the Society, incorporated the organization as a nonprofit corporation, and was key in organizing the Board of Directors and the Advisory Boards.
Ms. Griffith resides in Dallas, Texas, USA with her husband Chad and two children, Harper and Ellis. Their youngest daughter, Ellis, was diagnosed at the age of 2 with Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency Type 2 in 2016. Her perspective as a parent of a younger child adds a valuable voice to the RTD Board as we plan for the future.
Since Ellis’s diagnosis, she has dedicated the majority of her time and efforts to Ellis’s myriad treatments and appointments, as well as bringing awareness of RTD to the medical and research communities. In addition to setting the vision for and directing the operations of the organization, Ms. Griffith is responsible for creating the structure and processes necessary to implement its long-term strategic objectives.
Lauren Fitzgerald – Director of Media Relations
After spending nearly two decades searching for the cause of her child’s disease, Lauren’s son Alex was diagnosed with RTD Type II in November 2014. She has written numerous articles on parenting a child with a rare disease, including a chapter in Choices in Deafness about her son and the development of his RTD-related hearing loss. She received her journalism degree from the University of Maryland and has over 30 years of experience as a writer, editor and photographer.
Kristen Smith Greene – Volunteer and ex-Board Member
Kristen lives in Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband Clayton and her two daughters, Cara (5) and Susan (3). Cara began showing signs of RTD when she was 15 months old and was diagnosed with Type II RTD in April 2014. Kristen earned her BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Kristen is a licensed attorney and works as Associate Counsel at Pharmaceutical Product Development, in the legal contracts department.
Allison Fitzgerald – Sibling Outreach Coordinator
Having grown up with a brother suffering from RTD, Allison has dealt first-hand with the challenges of having a special needs sibling and the unique role they often play within the family. She was the Chapter President of her middle school’s Best Buddies Program, and has served as a peer/mentor for special needs theatre students during her years in high school. She is a strong advocate for families and children with special needs and serves Cure RTD by providing support and guidance to siblings of children with RTD.