Susi Villere

Sacramento, California

The Villere’s son, Chris, survived Bacterial Spinal Meningitis/Septicemia in the summer of 2002. Susi’s past experiences include clinical social work, divorce mediation and volunteer work with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She is involved with MAK because her family knows from personal experience that meningitis is a medical emergency and that every minute counts when someone is affected. She wants to help MAK’s educational goal of spreading its awareness message to the public so they can protect themselves from this devastating disease.

Russell Unger, MD

Carmichael, CA

He’s very involved with MAK’s health education and awareness efforts. Russell is a currently retired Family Physician for Northern California Kaiser Permanente, Department of Medicine, Sacramento/Roseville. He has maintained his board certification and professional membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Sacramento/El Dorado Medical Society.

Richard Goodell

Carmichael, California

Richard personally raised more than $10,000 for MAK in 2002. He is a Certified Public Accountant and the founding partner of the Accounting firm “Goodell, Porter, Sanchez and Bright LLP”. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was also Past Treasurer of Sacramento 20/30, Point West Rotary, Sacramento Chapter of Certified Public Accountants, Ducks Unlimited and past member of the finance committee of the California Waterfowl Association.

Annette Karle

Folsom, California

The Karle’s lost their 18 year old son in January 2001. Annette is retired from California State University, Sacramento where she worked for 28 years. She has professional and civic affiliations with Pacific Telephone’s Women’s Belle Club as the past President, College Glen Little League as the past Fundraising Director, College Greens Swim & Racquet Club as the past Social Director, U.S. Olympics Track & Field Trials 2000 as Volunteer Coordinator for the California State University. She was also past Arts & Education chair for the Festival de la Familia for two years and currently enjoys attending classic car shows with her husband and is a member of the Challengers of Sacramento Car Club.

Shelly King

Sacramento, California

The King’s lost their vibrant four year old daughter, Lauren, to bacterial meningitis in January 2004. Shelly is the VP, Communications for C7group, a management consulting firm. She is involved with MAK because prior to her daughters contracting the disease, she was completely unaware of the symptoms, treatment or the catastrophic effects of meningitis. Her goal through MAK is support meningitis prevention, symptom awareness and long-term prevention solutions. She currently serves as a Community Relations member of Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California. Her past civic affiliations include founding Board Member of Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California, California Lawyers for the Arts and Christmas in April.

Rose Aglubat-Kwett

Carmichael, California

Rose founded MAK- Meningitis Awareness Key to prevention after The Kwett’s vibrant and talented 15-year old daughter, MaryJo, died from meningitis on July 15, 2000, just eight days before her sixteenth birthday (see MaryJo A. Kwett’s story). 

The organization received its IRS Advance Ruling as a nonprofit corporation in May 2002.

Driven by a deep desire to increase awareness about this mysterious & stealthy killer, Rose, makes educational presentations to elementary, middle and high school classes. Presentations have been made to colleges, community organizations, interdenominational and multicultural groups. At the presentations, audiences learn many of the health measures that protect them from meningitis as well as techniques to prevent transmission of other communicable diseases. Her presentations had been approved by several school districts’ Standards & Curriculum and Health Advisory Committees. MAK participates in health fairs in Placer, El Dorado and Sacramento counties as well as in the Bay Area.