our people
The Team Behind the Cure
Cure MKD is powered by a global network of parents, scientists, clinicians, industry experts, and advocates who refuse to accept the status quo. We are united by a single, unwavering goal: to find a definitive cure for Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency.
leadership
Board of Directors
Isabella Sá Freire
Founder & CEO
Isabella Sá Freire is the Founder and CEO of the Cure MKD, where she leverages a systems-level perspective to accelerate the path to a cure. With a professional background in global partnerships and social innovation, Isabella previously held leadership roles at the World Economic Forum and within strategic commercial teams at Oracle. She holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and a degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California. A global strategist fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with intermediate French, Isabella’s work is uniquely driven by her role as mother to Gabriela, the heart and inspiration behind Cure MKD’s mission to transition the field from symptom management to a definitive, disease-modifying cure.
Kelly McCain
Secretary
Kelly McCain has over 15 years of experience advancing global health initiatives and building cross-sector partnerships across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. As Director of Global Expansion at the Business Group on Health, she leads international growth and strategic partnerships with multinational employers to strengthen global workforce wellbeing. Previously, Kelly led the World Economic Forum’s global health portfolio, where she mobilized collaboration between governments, life sciences companies, and multilateral organizations to tackle major health challenges. She also serves as a Trustee of Campaigns in Global Health, focusing on bringing together stakeholders across the private sector and global institutions to accelerate innovation and investment in complex health systems.
Sam Kramer
Treasurer
Sam Kramer is the Chief Financial Officer at OpenGov, where he leads the company’s finance organization and strategic planning. With a career rooted in finance, strategy, and organizational growth, Sam previously held leadership roles at Chorus.ai and worked within the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) investment banking group at Goldman Sachs. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University. A close friend of the Sa Freire family, Sam is deeply committed to applying his expertise to accelerate research and drive institutional progress. As Treasurer, he provides the financial oversight necessary to ensure resources are strategically directed toward delivering life-changing breakthroughs for the MKD community.
João Rangel de Almeida
Director
João Rangel de Almeida is a global health strategist and the founder of RangeX, an initiative specializing in health security and operational resilience. With nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of science and international policy, João previously spent years at the World Health Organization (WHO), supporting global responses to infectious disease outbreaks and complex health emergencies. At the Wellcome Trust, he managed a research portfolio focused on ethics, pediatric emergencies, and global health governance. João also serves as Chair of ORIC International, advising the insurance sector on systemic risk and resilience. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and an Executive MBA from the University of Cambridge. At Cure MKD, João leverages his expertise in philanthropic governance and scientific coordination to build the international partnerships required to accelerate progress toward a cure.
Thiago Sá Freire
Director
Thiago Sá Freire is the CEO at OpenGov, the leader in AI-enabled software for 2,000 cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and special districts across the United States. With over a decade of experience scaling high-growth technology companies, Thiago brings deep expertise in operational excellence and strategic leadership to the foundation’s board. Previously, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Chorus.ai through its successful acquisition and held senior leadership roles at Hudl, Oracle, and Responsys. Thiago holds a B.A. from Stanford University, where he served as captain of the Men’s Soccer Team. A native of Brazil and godfather to Gabriela, Thiago has made the pursuit of a definitive cure for MKD his life mission. He applies his background in scaling complex organizations to ensure the foundation operates with the speed and strategic precision required to deliver a definitive cure.