Team
John Ditton, Chief Operating Officer With 20+ years spent in all aspects of the healthcare system, from managed care to biotech, John brings a broad perspective to the commercial aspects of rare disease drug development. At the non-profit Health Plan of the Redwoods, John led the development of the nation’s first fully vertically integrated healthcare organization. Subsequently, John worked with Merck KGaA and global patient advocacy groups in anaphyalaxis and allergy to expand access to EpiPen before joining BioMarin as the Global Marketing Director working with MPS & PKU patient societies in launching BioMarin’s product line. Most recently, John was working as VP of Marketing with start-up company, Diamics, focused on molecular diagnostics targeting cervical cancer. John has a BSc from the University of New South Wales and an MBA from the University of Canterbury.
Julia Jenkins, Director of Public & Government Relations
Julia brings a background in grassroots organizing, political campaigns, and legislative advocacy to our team. She worked as a Political Communications Consultant with the Lew Edwards Group, creating strategic plans to organize communities to support local funding measures. Previously, Julia was Legislative Director and registered California State lobbyist for Public Employees Union Local #1. She coordinated all political action at local, state, and federal levels. She worked on efforts to ensure every Californian would have access to affordable quality healthcare. She led efforts for the San Francisco Democratic Party and worked for (now) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Prior to working in politics, Julia was a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Steve Smith, Patient Advocacy Liaison
Steve is the President of Plan Management International, a strategic management consulting practice serving technology companies, new growing organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. He has worked in more than 20 countries to drive expansion of new operations. While at IBM Healthcare & Life Sciences he led development of a program to bring computing, network technology, electronic medical records, and improved processes into the design and planning of high-tech, digital hospitals, and developed formal alliances with vendors of medical imaging software and biotech research devices. He has also created patient advocacy strategies and programs for biotech companies developing treatments for rare disorders. He has worked with members of Congress, the FDA, patient families, and the biotech community, to improve conditions for development of treatments for rare diseases. Steve became a patient advocate when his son Ian was diagnosed with Morquio Syndrome, MPS IVA, in 1990.