Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Announces Leadership Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Announces Leadership Expansion:

Jeffrey Gelfand Named Chairman and CEO, Welcomes Two New Board Members

Winston-Salem, NC – February 12, 2026 – The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), the leading nonprofit dedicated to eradicating pediatric brain tumors and providing support to affected families, is proud to announce a significant leadership expansion. Jeffrey Gelfand, who has served as Chairman of the Board, will now assume the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, PBTF is thrilled to welcome two new board members, Richard Gaster, M.D., Ph.D. and Evan Geronemus, whose expertise and passion for the mission will help propel the organization forward.

This infusion of leadership and expertise underscores PBTF’s commitment to advancing its mission of funding groundbreaking research, providing compassionate care, and supporting families navigating the challenges of pediatric brain tumors.

Jeffrey Gelfand’s Visionary Leadership as Chairman and CEOJeffrey Gelfand has been a steadfast advocate for PBTF’s mission, bringing years of leadership experience and a deep personal commitment to the organization. As Chairman and CEO, Gelfand will continue to guide PBTF’s strategic vision, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of pediatric brain tumor research and family support.

“I am honored to take on this expanded role as Chairman and CEO of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,” said Gelfand. “With the addition of Dr. Gaster and Mr. Geronemus to our board, we are better positioned to drive meaningful progress in our mission to eradicate pediatric brain tumors and provide hope to families.”

Welcoming New Board Members: Richard Gaster, M.D., Ph.D. and Evan GeronemusPBTF is excited to welcome Richard Gaster and Evan Geronemus to its Board of Directors. Both Gaster and Geronemus are parents of children affected by brain tumors and bring a wealth of expertise, dedication, and a shared passion for advancing PBTF’s mission to improve outcomes for children and families impacted by pediatric brain tumors.

• Richard Gaster, M.D., Ph.D.: A Managing Partner at venBio Partners, Dr. Gaster brings an exceptional blend of expertise as a physician-scientist, successful life sciences entrepreneur, and investor to PBTF’s board. His deep experience in biotech company creation, clinical development, and strategic financing positions him as a vital asset to advancing PBTF’s mission. Dr. Gaster’s work has directly contributed to over a dozen biotech company builds, multiple companies advancing to public listings, successful acquisitions, and several FDA approvals for therapies that address critical patient needs.
• Evan Geronemus: With more than 20 years in finance and personal experience navigating this journey, Evan brings valuable perspective to the PBTF Board. He began his career at Goldman Sachs and now serves in a leadership role at J.P. Morgan, bringing expertise and insight to help strengthen PBTF’s network and capacity to fund critical research and family support programs.

A Stronger Foundation for the FutureThe addition of Gaster and Geronemus, alongside Gelfand’s expanded leadership role, marks a pivotal moment for PBTF. This strengthened leadership team will focus on accelerating research breakthroughs, enhancing family care initiatives, and building partnerships to amplify PBTF’s impact.

“Through a combination of their professional backgrounds, but more importantly, through their direct experiences as parents, both Evan and Richard bring invaluable expertise and a shared commitment to our mission,” said current board member Samuel Blackman, M.D., Ph.D. “Their contributions will help us build a stronger foundation for the future, ensuring that no family faces a pediatric brain tumor diagnosis alone.”

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Since 1991, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s research funding, advocacy efforts and family support platform have led the way in ending the childhood cancer community’s biggest crisis. Dedicated wholly to addressing this rare, but devastating disease and guided by the experiences of patients, survivors, their parents, and siblings, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is the only organization to meet families’ needs along every step of their pediatric cancer journey.

The largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research, the foundation also funds and advocates for innovative projects that lead to vital discoveries, new clinical trials, and better treatments – all bringing us closer to a cure. We’re able to do that because of people and partners committed to supporting families and ending childhood brain cancer.

For more information about the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, visit curethekids.org.

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Lesley Madsen

Sr Director, Marketing

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