Staff
Amy Hellem, PhD, FAAO
NKCF Director
Taylor Young
NKCF Assistant Director
Advisors
Melissa Barnett OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA
Soroosh Behshad, MD
John Gelles, OD, FIAO, FCLSA, FSLS, FBCLA
Steven Greenstein, MD
Katie Greiner, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO
Maria Walker, OD, PhD, FAAO
Patient Ambassadors
Aiyanna Beltran
“Diagnosed at 15, I’ve lived through Crosslinking (EPI-Off) in both eyes, C-TAK in one, and countless adjustments with glasses and contacts. My journey has taken me out of state for multiple opinions and into several case studies, reinforcing how unique every KC experience is. KC isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey, and what works for one person may not work for another but hearing different experiences can help you make the best informed decision for you. My goal is to help others feel informed, confident, and empowered throughout their KC journey. No matter where you are in your KC journey, there is hope, strength, and a community here for you.”
John Cronin
John Cronin is the co-founder and Chief Happiness Officer of John’s Crazy Socks and a co-creator of Abilities Rising. A natural entrepreneur with Down syndrome and keratoconus, John turned a love of fun socks into a global movement for inclusion and joy. He became the first person with Down syndrome to receive the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and has spoken at the United Nations and testified before the U.S. Congress. Whether on stage or in a warehouse filled with socks, John leads with love, purpose, and pride. His message: focus on what people can do — and anything is possible.
Mark Cronin
Mark X. Cronin is a social entrepreneur, policy leader, and passionate advocate for disability inclusion. As co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks and Abilities Rising, he builds mission-led businesses that create opportunity and spark change. Mark earned his Masters from Harvard and has led healthcare reformas the leader of Medicaid Health Care Servies in New York City, founded health care management and consulting firms, advised a variety of companies and non-profits and taught at Columbia and NYU. He’s a two-time TEDx speaker, published author, and winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Mark’s talks and ventures blend storytelling, business acumen, and social mission — showing what’s possible when strategy and soul work together. He inspires audiences to lead with heart — and results.
Myeisha Essex
Myeisha Essex is a writer, journalist, and wellness advocate based in Los Angeles, CA.
After earning degrees from Bennett College for Women and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, she built a celebrated career in entertainment news. As Senior Editor at Entertainment Tonight, she and her team won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Entertainment News Series in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
In 2021, Myeisha shifted into the wellness space, bringing her storytelling expertise to the sleep and meditation app Calm as a senior manager on the marketing team. She now serves as the Communications Director at Black Women for Wellness, a nonprofit committed to the health and well-being of Black women and girls.
Myeisha lives with keratoconus and serves as an ambassador for the National Keratoconus Foundation.
She is currently writing her first book, a spiritual memoir honoring her late mother.
Ashley Winter
Ash is an British Armed Forces veteran who was diagnosed with keratoconus during his service, causing multiple issues and ultimately a life change. He is a published author, motivational speaker, mental health advocate and is passionate about sharing his story with keratoconus to support others. As an NKCF ambassador he raises awareness for Keratoconus by competing in sporting events, going on adventures to test him and Keratoconus to the max, giving talks, writing publications and various expeditions.
Ashley Worth
I hadn’t actually seen my daughter’s face for the first nine months of her life… For years, I knew something was wrong with my vision, but no one could tell me why. When I was finally diagnosed with keratoconus in 2018, the damage had already changed so much for me I had to drop out of college, and everyday life felt harder than it should have. I’m a mom of three now, and that whole experience is what pushes me to talk about keratoconus everywhere I can. If it’s caught early, people don’t have to go through what I did. That’s why I advocate.
