Meet the Couch Crew.

Behind every project, every event, and every penny raised at Couch Pennies Foundation is a group of passionate individuals we proudly call the Couch Crew. We're a diverse team of advocates, strategists, dreamers, and doers, united by a shared dedication to the rare disease community.

Avery Allmond

Founder and Executive Director

At the age of 19, Avery received a diagnosis of a RARE autoimmune condition called Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease (MOGAD).

Following this, she established the Couch Pennies Foundation, recognizing the obstacles and deficiencies within her community. Avery's goal was to create a foundation led by patients, which led her to choose the role of Executive Director. She was elected to this position by the initial board members.

 

To learn more about Avery's story, you can view her documentary here.

Alyssa Guardiola

Chief of Staff

Alyssa joined Couch Pennies in 2025 after her experience as a caregiver for Avery and through watching her mother dedicate her career to working with rare disease patients. Inspired by both roles, she felt called to add her voice as a caregiver and spouse within the rare disease community.
In her role with Couch Pennies, Alyssa focuses on supporting fellow caregivers by providing resources, guidance, and a compassionate space for connection. She understands the unique challenges caregivers face and works to ensure they feel seen, heard, and supported.
As Chief of Staff, Alyssa helps keep the foundation organized and running smoothly, contributing to both day-to-day operations and long-term goals. She is passionate about building community and ensuring that caregivers are included in the larger rare disease conversation.
Outside of her work with Couch Pennies, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her family, connecting with other caregiver networks, and finding new ways to bring creativity and empathy into her advocacy.

Anthony Martin

Dromonte Montgomery

The Uproot Agency - Head of Strategy and Fulfillment

With over a decade of experience in the marketing industry, Dromonte specializes in transforming businesses through strategic digital marketing and growth-focused operations. Beyond traditional marketing, Dromonte helps companies break down internal silos, improve customer journeys, and align sales, service, and marketing so the entire business grows together.

From web design and SEO to targeted advertising and conversion optimization, Dromonte has helped generate over $26 million in product sales online. Passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, Dromonte mentors small business owners on how to build systems that create consistent revenue, stronger brand presence, and long-term sustainability while delivering exceptional results for clients.

Jessica Cummins

Founding Board Member

Jessica joined the Couch Pennies team in 2018 a few months after Couch Pennies was founded. After she saw the work Avery was doing, she inquired about becoming a social media manager. In 2022 Jess became the official Vice President and has been a key component of the team.
She was diagnosed with a rare disease called CRPS and knows the obstacles that she faced and is determined to make sure others don't go through the same.
Jess is a proud wife, schoolteacher, and mom to service dog Feta.

Mike Kennedy

Board Member

Mike is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Mike has worked in sales and marketing for 58 years, including working at IBM and most recently retired from being a CEO at a sales company. 
“My purpose for joining the board is to raise awareness for Rare Diseases and provide mentoring to young people who have Rare Diseases.”

Kaitlyn Akeroyd

Project Manager

I hold a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from the University of North Texas and will receive my Master of Science in Advanced Data Analytics from the University of North Texas in May, with a focus on healthcare data. I am excited to contribute my knowledge to the rare disease field, a cause that is especially meaningful to me after my sister was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease this past year. Outside of my academic and research interests, I got married this year and am the proud mom of a beautiful three-year-old daughter and a four-year-old rescue dog named Penny.

Monique Alceus

Project Manager/Student Medical Advisory Board Member

Nicole Allmond

Board Member/ Caregiver Liason

Nicole is a founding board member and is the proud mother to Avery. Nicole became a full-time caregiver the day her daughter fell ill, and has strongly believed in giving back and giving more to caregivers, since.

Nicole graduated with a bachelor's in Sign Language and was an interpreter for 20 years before her daughter was diagnosed. She is a proud mom of 3 and loving grandmother to 5.

Anthony Martin

Strategic Advisor

Fransisco Garcia

Lead Resource Writer

Bunmi

Lead Researcher/Student Medical Advisory Board Director

Mikayla Bauer

UX Designer

Emma Pearl

Newsletter Contributor

Rare Disease Advisory Council

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Alexandra (Sasha) Fowler

Current title/affiliation: Genetic Counselor, MS

Michael Jablonski

Current title/affiliation: Vice President - Clinical Development and Medical Affairs | PhD in neuroscience | Lead Chair - Couch Pennies Foundation

Grace Landrigan

Wellness Education

Rupal Pandya

Master's and PhD in biotechnology,

Research Analyst

Shailesh Advani

Physician of epidemiology and a researcher in public health

Daysia Augustin

Genetic Counseling Student

Aysia Hilliard

Genetic Counseling Student 

Eva Brauer (Turner)

Current title/affiliation: MA, MS; Government Relations Manager |
Healthcare Lobbyist 

Preferred pronouns: she/her 

More about Eva

Eva Brauer, MA, MS, is an accomplished government relations professional with a background in economics and public policy. She has spent almost a decade researching health equity and health policy both professionally and academically.

Vernoica Breen

Current title/affiliation: MPH in Epidemiology | Patient Advocate | Marketing Intern & Health Coach at WebMD Health Services

Preferred pronouns: She/Her

More about Veronica

Veronica Breen, MPH, is a patient advocate living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and related conditions. She combines her background in epidemiology, fitness training, and healthcare with lived experience to advocate for better awareness, research, and support for individuals with rare and complex diseases.