Board Members

Dr. Gerald S. Post, DVM, ACVIM (Oncology), ACF Founder
Dr. Gerald Post, principal of the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center in Norwalk, Connecticut and founder of the Animal Cancer Foundation, is one of only two hundred board-certified veterinary oncologists in the United States. Recognized by New York Magazine as one of the best veterinarians in the New York Tri-State area, Dr. Post has more than 20 years experience as a veterinary oncologist and has participated in clinical oncology research on the national and international levels. He is the author of several papers and chapters of books, as well as co-author of two seminal papers advancing the treatment of both B-cell lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma in dogs. Dr. Post received his B.S. from Cornell University in 1983, his DVM from the University of Minnesota in 1988, and completed his Oncology residency at the Animal Medical Center of New York. In 1992, he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Recently, he earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Management (Conservation Leadership) from Duke University. He is a co-founder of Endangered Encounters, an eco-tourism organization that donates profits to conservation, and continues to work with Dr. Stuart Pimm and Dr. Deborah Gallagher of Duke University to study and develop effective conservation methods.

In 1999, Dr. Post founded and continues to serve on the board of the Animal Cancer Foundation a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for cancer by funding research in and increasing public awareness of comparative oncology, the study of naturally occurring cancers in companion animals and human beings. Dr. Post believes that the next breakthrough in human cancer therapy will arise from the successful study and treatment of these same, naturally evolving cancers in our pets. He has been a champion of innovative therapies to increase pet cancer survival rates while maintaining the pet’s quality of life.

Recognized by his peers for his contributions to animal welfare, veterinary medicine and comparative oncology, Dr. Post serves on the board of The Riedel & Cody Fund, is an affiliated partner with Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, is a member of the Animal Clinical Investigation network, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of both Abbott and Bayer. He is a member of ACVIM, AVMA, Fairfield County VMA, Connecticut VMA (Director at Large), New York State VMA, Long Island VMA, Veterinary Cancer Society, Eastern Co-operative Veterinary Oncology Group (Founding Member), Union of Concerned Scientists, and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Post is a certified scuba diver and a member of PADI. He shares his home with Lola, a rescued French bulldog, who survived Pulmonic Stenosis at six months of age thanks to a balloon valvuloplasty performed by Dr. John Rush at Tufts University.

David C. Levine, M.D. FACS, ACF President
Dr. Levine graduated from the University of Pennsylvania cum laude with honors in his major and earned his Doctor of Medicine from the State University of New York At Buffalo-School of Medicine. He completed his Residency in General Surgery at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Levine was, for many years a general surgeon in private practice, specializing in abdominal surgery and diseases of the breast.

Currently, Dr. Levine is the Director of Medical Student Education, Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Hofstra University School of Medicine and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been a member of the Nassau Academy of Medicine, the Medical Society of the State of New York, the American Medical Association, the Nassau County Medical Society, the Nassau County Surgical Society and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Levine is a member of the board of the Nassau Physicians Foundation, a charitable organization that supports medical education and research.

Dr. Levine is the proud father of two children and Golden Retriever Ollie.

Barbara Cohen, ACF Executive Director
As Executive Director since 2008, Barbara Cohen has led the Animal Cancer Foundation’s efforts to design and implement strategic planning to fund research and to increase public awareness of comparative oncology. She directs the organization’s day-to-day management and facilitates not-for-profit oversight and grant-making processes, reporting to the Board of Directors.

Ms. Cohen’s experience includes non-profit oversight, philanthropy, education, community health planning and animal welfare. She is a New York State permanently certified teacher of English Language Arts and Social Studies, grades 7 – 12 and taught in the Manhasset Public Schools. She was advisor to the National Junior Honor Society and received the Exemplars Teacher of the Year Award.

Ms. Cohen received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and certification in the Community Health Program from Tufts University where she was an undergraduate research assistant to Dr. Alonzo Plough, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy. She earned a Masters of Science in Secondary Education/English from Long Island University/Post.

She is an officer of New York State Retriever Rescue and served as vice president for a local golden retriever rescue. She witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of a variety of pet cancers in dogs, including her own ten-year-old Labrador mix, Cassie. She dedicates her work with ACF to Cassie’s memory. Ms. Cohen and her husband have one daughter and two golden retrievers.

Betsy Fitzgibbons
Betsy Fitzgibbons has spent the majority of her career at Colgate-Palmolive Company,
where she has acted in marketing and marketing research roles. She joined Colgate after receiving her MBA (Marketing) from Fordham University Graduate School of Business.

Prior to business school, Ms. Fitzgibbons attended Mount Holyoke College, as well as
worked at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, as a legal assistant, where she met fellow board member Ms. Williams.

Her career at Colgate began in 1998, in its Global Oral Care division. Next, she moved to the Company’s US division, where she held several roles until 2004.

In the summer of 2004, Ms. Fitzgibbons moved to London to work for the European division of Hill’s Pet Nutrition Ltd. (a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive) to oversee marketing research with the veterinarian profession and key pet channel retailers. One key benefit of the role was the ability to bring her dog (a Miniature Schnauzer named Winnie) to the office on Fridays!

Ms. Fitzgibbons remained in England for four years, and returned to New York City and Colgate-Palmolive in 2008.

She is a dedicated animal lover and is looking forward to working with the ACF Board on future projects and endeavors.

Dr. Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber
Dr. Posner Gerstenhaber graduated from Brown University with honors and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University, after completing her doctoral research in pediatric oncology
at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She then did an internship and fellowship at Babies' Hospital, Department of Child Psychiatry, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dr. Posner Gerstenhaber is a research scientist and the Director of Clinical Services of the Research Unit for Pediatric Psychopharmacology, at New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University. In addition to her research responsibilities, which include running a number of pediatric clinical trials for industry and the NIMH, Dr. Gerstenhaber also teaches and directs a training program.

Philanthropy has always been very much a priority and driving force for Dr. Gerstenhaber. She has always been actively involved in health care issues.

Dr. Posner-Gerstenhaber is quite committed to ACF in part because with its progressive vision and preliminary contributions it is consistent with her interest in forwarding medical treatments and care of animals as well as humans. Such awareness was the result of personal experience with the ACF. With her academic and medical background, Dr. Posner-Gerstenhaber conducted exhaustive research in order to discover the best treatment for her golden-retriever, diagnosed last year with cancer. This led her to the ACF and its progressive and comprehensive approach has certainly contributed to the wonderful care and prognosis her dog has experienced thus far. As the loving owner of two Goldens, an animal lover, and one quite dedicated to the advancement of science and medical care, the visionary approach of the ACF is a foundation to which she is greatly committed.

Mary Ann Henry
Mary Ann Henry has enjoyed diverse positions in business and philanthropy. She has used her marketing and finance degrees when serving as national sales and marketing representative for Diane von Furstenberg; VP of merchandising, product development, and corporate giving for Silk Greenhouse, a Florida based chain of 105 stores. She joined the CEO as President in a joint venture where she developed the business plan, concept, name, brand, and roll out of exclusive home décor stores in Florida and Pennsylvania. Mary Ann continued as the brand and sales key strategist for both businesses. She spearheaded the creation of philanthropic divisions of two companies that donated funds nationally and served as a consultant to both.

Her philanthropic focus included positions as Chair of two Museum Boards in Florida, the Board of the first Ronald McDonald House in Orlando where she was Finance and Development Chair. She was the first Membership and Development Chair of the Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute in Orlando. In the New York area she was Chair of Development and new fundraising venues for The Breast Cancer Alliance, Greenwich, CT as a Board Member and the first Executive Director. She continues to consult with not for profit organizations and proudly joined the Board of the YWCA, Greenwich, CT, The Pound Ridge Land Conservancy and The Animal Cancer Foundation.

The photo includes her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Scarlett, her beloved companion and “soul mate” Scarlett died of lymphoma suddenly. Neither Mary Ann nor the vet considered cancer. She is now passionate about the vital work ACF will conduct to increase awareness, educate, and fund innovative research projects that will benefit animals and humans.

Jennifer M.F. Hillgen-Santa, Esq.
Attorney Hillgen-Santa graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairfield University with a major in English and Communications. She then went on to Quinnipiac University School of Law and graduated Cum Laude with her Juris Doctorate. Attorney Hillgen-Santa is an active member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Currently Attorney Hillgen-Santa is CEO/EVP of National Distributor Systems, Inc. and also runs Hillgen-Santa Financial Group, LLC with her husband and acts in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer. In her spare time she teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Fairfield University’s Graduate School of Business.

In the recent past Attorney Hillgen-Santa was an elected official of her hometown in Stratford, CT and served as Minority Leader and Councilperson on the Stratford Town Council. Ms. Hillgen-Santa did not seek re-election once expecting her young daughter.

Attorney Hillgen-Santa pictured with her young daughter and their beloved Miniature Schnauzer Maximillian (10/13/97 – 1/14/10) became passionate about animal cancer when Maximillian was diagnosed with cardiac hemangiosarcoma and with much treatment turned a 3 week prognosis into a 5 ½ month battle. During his battle Attorney Hillgen-Santa was so impressed how he handled all the varied treatments and how happy and healthy he appeared and acted. Jennifer was so proud of Maximillian and he was the pilot patient for cardiac IMRT radiation in NYC and truly helped pioneer treatments that helped him and others after him. Jennifer wants to teach people about the options that exist for animal cancer and help find even better treatments while at the same time keeping Max’s memory alive.

She, her husband and young daughter have two other Miniature Schnauzers and one Standard Schnauzer.

Jason Libby
Mr. Libby has over 15 years of experience in the investing, trading, valuation, and structuring of real estate related fixed income and hedge fund investments. Mr. Libby was a senior portfolio manager, shareholder and the managing director of the structured finance group at Old Hill Partners a multi-asset fixed income hedge fund. During his tenure at Old Hill Jason was responsible for the management of ~$1.5 billion in CMBS, private placement and whole loan investments. Mr. Libby also served on the Investment Committee for The Patriot Group (a related Asset Based Lending hedge fund manager) and served as the head of commercial mortgage originations for the Patriot Group. Prior to Old Hill Jason was an Associate Director at Barclays Capital on the Financing Trading Desk. While at Barclays, he traded the US Agency Specials, Term Repo Matched Books and an Interest Rate Arbitrage portfolio with combined assets of over $10 Billion.

Mr. Libby also helped develop the mortgage and ABS financing capacity and related liquidity focused transactions. Mr. Libby began his career an associate with AG Arbor Management; a real estate securities and related investments hedge fund. The fund was a joint venture between Telebanc (Now ETRADE bank) and Angelo, Gordon, and Co. His responsibilities included the pricing and financing of sub and non-performing whole loans and subordinate MBS securities, assisted in the set up of a mortgage special servicer and bid on RTC and other distressed asset sales. In 2007 and 2008, Jason was named Cambridge’s ‘Who’s Who Executive of the Year in Financial Management’.

He is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a BA in Psychology and Chemistry.

Matthew Vuolo, Esq.
Matt is currently corporate counsel for U.S. business law at MetLife, where he provides legal advice to business clients with respect to all aspects of the insurance operations including the development, marketing, sales, underwriting, and administration of various Company financial products. Prior to joining MetLife, Matt was a litigation associate at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in New York where his practice focused on the preparation and trial of complex litigation matters, including insurance and reinsurance litigation, securities class action litigation, white collar criminal defense, antitrust, and criminal and civil securities enforcement proceedings. Matt also seconded as Special Assistant District Attorney with the Kings County District Attorney's Office from January 2008 – July 2008, where he tried multiple felony criminal cases to verdict in New York State Supreme Court. Moreover, while at Dewey, Matt represented many community-based clients pro bono, including ACF. Matt forged a strong relationship with the ACF executive board during this time, inspiring him to submit his candidacy for the ACF board after his tenure with Dewey.

Matt holds a JD from Rutgers School of Law - Newark and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University Graduate School. Matt also holds a BA and BS degree from Rutgers College.

Matt is a dedicated animal lover and believes strongly in ACF's mission to help bring an end to cancers that afflict both humans and animals.

Kim Williams - Secretary
After joining the NFL as Chief Financial Officer in 2003, Kim Williams was named Chief Operating Officer of NFL Network in April 2006 where she is responsible for the day-to-day management of the NFL’s owned TV properties.

Preceding her time at the NFL, Ms. Williams served as Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for NBC West Coast, responsible for all financial aspects of NBC’s Entertainment, Studios & Enterprises divisions.

Ms. Williams also worked at NBC’s offices in New York as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for NBC Business Development, overseeing activities including acquisition/divestiture analyses, investment portfolio management, and derivative/hedging strategies.

In all, Ms. Williams spent more than a decade with General Electric (GE) owned companies, including stays at GE Power Systems in Florence, Italy, and GE International, GE Power Controls and GE Capital in London, England.

In addition, Ms. Williams serves as a member of the Global Advisory Council for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

Ms. Williams holds a BA degree from Connecticut College in Japanese and Asian studies. She also has a Masters degree in international business administration from the American Graduate School of International Management (“Thunderbird”).

She is a dedicated animal lover and “mother” to two golden retrievers Koda and Tello.