Staff
Barbara Goodman, President & CEO
Barbara Goodman leads Cures Within Reach and its mission to drive more treatments to more patients more quickly through repurposing research. She joined in 2017 to help expand the reach and influence of CWR in both the philanthropic and commercial spaces, as well as to foster organizational growth and financial sustainability. Barbara is helping the organization develop new partnerships and expand current relationships with donors, sponsors, partners, industry, government, Board members and other volunteer leaders, to further our mission.
Barbara has nearly 25 years of international business and healthcare / biomedical / life sciences sector business experience, focused on planning and implementation of strategic growth initiatives at both for-profit and not-for-profit corporations. She joined CWR after leading iBIO Institute’s PROPEL Center for nearly 10 years, where she led programs to increase the number and success rate of early-stage life sciences companies in Illinois, and supported iBIO’s international activities.
Barbara previously worked in corporate strategy and business development at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab), Cardinal Health Medical Products & Services Division, and Chesapeake Corporation. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Clare Thibodeaux, PhD, Director of Scientific Affairs
Clare Thibodeaux, PhD joined the Cures Within Reach team in November 2015 with over 10 years of experience in cancer research and cancer philanthropic issues. Clare is responsible for managing Cures Within Reach’s scientific grant outreach and review process, building partnerships with academic institutions, foundations and nonprofits, managing the Science Advisory Board and implementing new scientific initiatives at Cures Within Reach. Clare is also significantly involved with organizing and planning Cures Within Reach meetings and fundraising events. Clare has conducted original scientific research, advocated with state and federal elected officials concerning cancer related issues, and engaged the general public through community outreach. She also has led various committees and boards through her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society.
Prior to her involvement in the biomedical field, Clare was a market research professional. She has designed and managed market research projects for several trade associations and professional societies, creating actionable information from research data. Clare is a member of Women in Bio and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, and holds a PhD in Tumor Biology from Georgetown University and an MBA from George Mason University.
Team Members
Arun Pookote, Administration
Arun joined the Cures Within Reach team in September 2019. He likes working for nonprofits that make real impact. Arun supports Cures Within Reach with several important behind-the-scene activities. Arun is a graduate of Lake Forest College where he studied political science and theater and volunteers with local organizations.
Phil Dodson, CPA
Phil Dodson is a self employed CPA, providing financial and tax services to small business entrepreneurs since 1991. Phil was the initial CPA advisor for both the private foundation Goldman Philanthropic Partners and its public charity spin off Cures Within Reach.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics in 1975 and an MBA in 1976, both from Northwestern University. He was awarded his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate in 1977. He currently serves on three other nonprofit organizations’ boards and provides fee based services ranging from accounting and tax return services to Board advisor and permanent part time CFO management to 6 other nonprofit organizations.
Phil and wife Nancy, reside in Chicago, IL and have three adult children. He is a multiple cancer survivor and a passionate competitive swimmer having earned numerous national and world rankings as a Masters Swimmer.
Seungrok Joanna Hong
Joanna Hong supports the Cures Within Reach team in our research programs, patient education events and development efforts. She is starting medical school in 2021, and is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Jessica Wayne, Development/Fundraising
Jessica Wayne helps steer and grow the organization’s sponsorship efforts. She comes on board as an experienced development professional, with a strong background in corporate and foundation fundraising.
In 2006, she formed the development consulting firm Jessica Wayne Consulting, Inc., focused largely on corporate and foundation fundraising, and has since worked with health organizations such as the American College of Surgeons Foundation, The Rosecrance Foundation and World Continence Week-USA.
The consultancy was launched following a longstanding role with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as Director of Corporate Development. While there, she was responsible for generating over $4 million for the CSO’s operations annually. Prior to this, Jessica Wayne served as Director of Development for The Great American Children’s Theatre Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Jessica is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Women in Development Professions. Jessica’s love for music and playing piano guided her toward non-profit work. Though not performing these days, Jessica still loves playing piano and trying as many instruments as possible.