Advisory Council

Wilhelm Foundation's Advisory Council brings together a trusted group of international experts who guide and strengthen our mission to end the diagnostic odyssey for People Living With Undiagnosed Diseases (PLWUD).

Our Advisory Council provides independent, strategic advice across science, clinical practice, ethics, policy and data. Council members support the Foundation’s long-term vision, help shape priorities for our global programs—including the Undiagnosed Hackathons—and ensure that our work remains rigorous, ethical, and centered on the needs of families worldwide.

Advisory Council Members

The Advisory Council reflects the multidisciplinary and global nature of Wilhelm Foundation’s work, spanning science, research, medicine, policy, ethics and advocacy.

 

Alexandra Heumber Perry
Switzerland

 

 

Dave Pearce
Chair, International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC), USA

 

Graphic with a blue background titled “Advisory Council,” featuring the Wilhelm Foundation 25 Years of Impact logo in the top left. A rounded light-blue text box contains a quote expressing commitment to advancing access to improved diagnoses and positive outcomes for people living with undiagnosed diseases. The quote is attributed to Dave Pearce, Chair of the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC). On the right side is a professional portrait of Dave Pearce wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and tie, smiling at the camera.

 

Garabet Yeretssian
Senior Program Manager, BioHub, USA

 

Graphic with a blue background titled “Advisory Council,” featuring the Wilhelm Foundation “25 Years of Impact” logo in the top left. A rounded light-blue text box contains a quote about ending the diagnostic odyssey for people living with undiagnosed diseases through collaboration, innovation, and equitable access to diagnosis and care. The quote is attributed to Garabet Yeretssian, Senior Program Manager at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. On the right side is a portrait of Garabet Yeretssian outdoors, wearing a dark jacket over a light shirt, looking at the camera.

 

Gareth Baynam
Medical Director, Rare Care Centre, Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia

 

Graphic with a blue background titled “Advisory Council,” featuring the Wilhelm Foundation “25 Years of Impact” logo in the top left. A rounded light-blue text box contains a reflective quote about why people living with undiagnosed diseases (PLWUD) and their families deserve answers, better diagnostic pathways, and improved care before, during, and after diagnosis. The quote is attributed to Gareth Baynam, Medical Director of the Rare Care Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital. On the right side is a portrait of Gareth Baynam indoors, wearing a dark jacket over a teal shirt, speaking or smiling toward the camera.

 

Mary Jane Dykeman
INQ Law, Chair EpiSign Inc. Canada

 

Graphic with a blue background titled “Advisory Council,” featuring the Wilhelm Foundation “25 Years of Impact” logo in the top left. A rounded light-blue text box contains a quote emphasizing collaboration as the key to solving undiagnosed diseases by uniting clinicians, researchers, patients, and innovators across borders, and highlighting the impact of the Wilhelm Foundation and the Undiagnosed Hackathon. The quote is attributed to Mary Jane Dykeman, INQ Law, Chair of EpiSign Inc. On the right side is a professional portrait of Mary Jane Dykeman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a dark top and smiling at the camera.

 

Rick Guidotti
Founder and Director, Positive Exposure, USA

 

Graphic with a blue background titled “Advisory Council,” featuring the Wilhelm Foundation “25 Years of Impact” logo in the top left. A rounded light-blue text box contains a quote about inclusion, human diversity, and global community-building through the Wilhelm Foundation, describing travels to multiple countries and the importance of ensuring no family feels alone on their diagnostic journey. The quote is attributed to Rick Guidotti, Founder and Director of Positive Exposure. On the right side is a lively portrait of Rick Guidotti smiling in the foreground, with a large, diverse group of people gathered behind him.

 

Zeynep Tümer
Professor, MD, PhD, DMSc, Denmark

 

Graphic with a blue background titled “Advisory Council,” featuring the Wilhelm Foundation “25 Years of Impact” logo in the top left. A rounded light-blue text box contains a quote about the honor of joining the Wilhelm Foundation Advisory Council and supporting its mission to ensure that no person living with an undiagnosed disease is left without answers. The quote highlights global inequities faced by undiagnosed rare disease patients, the importance of collaboration and research, and the Foundation’s role as a voice for undiagnosed individuals over 25 years. The quote is attributed to Zeynep Tümer, Professor, MD, PhD, DMSc. On the right side is a portrait of Zeynep Tümer with short curly hair, wearing a dark scarf and jacket, looking toward the camera.