Roxana Galera is the Vice President of Program Services at Epilepsy Alliance Florida where she oversees the agency’s social services department. Roxana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and has almost 30 years of experience in the social services/case management field. Roxana joined Epilepsy Alliance Florida in 1997 as an entry-level social services/case manager. What started as transitional job to gain experience in the field, turned into a rewarding professional journey helping individuals and their families touched by epilepsy.
Our Team
Epilepsy Alliance Florida (EAFLA), is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to individuals and families affected by epilepsy in Florida. Our mission has been unwavering for over half a century, encompassing two critical roles:
Firstly, we serve as the leading advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders at local, county, and state levels.
Secondly, we offer a diverse range of epilepsy-related services that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.
However, it’s essential to emphasize that none of this would be possible without our incredible and dedicated team. They are the driving force behind our efforts to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by epilepsy in Florida.
Furthermore, our commitment extends to epilepsy education and prevention programs, targeting schools, corporations, associations, and diverse groups across Florida. We regularly conduct presentations to help these organizations gain a better understanding of epilepsy management, contributing to improved healthcare literacy and a reduction in epilepsy-related stigma.
With the resounding success of the 2022 passage of Florida’s ‘Care for Students with Seizure Disorders in Schools Bill,’ EAFLA is poised to expand its statewide training programs exponentially. These programs will be specifically tailored to public school nurses, school bus drivers, and other first-aid professionals who play a crucial role in assisting students experiencing seizures. Our team’s dedication is at the heart of this vital work.
Senior Staff
Karen Basha Egozi
President & CEO
Karen Basha Egozi is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Epilepsy Alliance Florida who has been working on behalf of patients with epilepsy and their families since 2005. As the organization’s chief executive, Karen manages the team efforts of over 35 employees in eight offices throughout the state who provide direct services to citizens in 38 of Florida’s 67 counties, with statewide responsibility for all 500,000 Floridians with epilepsy.
From 2013-2015 Karen served as a director on the board of Josh Provides, an organization dedicated to helping patients with epilepsy, and also served on the Board of Governors for the Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Before joining Epilepsy Florida, Karen managed a $129 million budget as the Vice President of Administration for the Early Learning Coalition Miami-Dade/Monroe and as Chief Executive Officer of the Voices for Children Foundation, a fundraising organization dedicated to championing the Guardian Ad Litem Program of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Karen has served as Board Chair of Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center and as the federally appointed Housing Committee Chair for the Federal Home Bank of Atlanta from 2003-2006. Other leadership positions have included board member of Guardian Ad Litem Florida State Association and Trustee of the Endowment Committee Chair for Voices for Children. She is a graduate of Florida State University.
Monica Rodriguez
CFOO
Monica Rodriguez, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, joined Epilepsy Alliance Florida in the summer of 2017 after over 15 years of experience in the public and for-profit sectors. As CFOO, she oversees all financial and operational aspects for the organization including internal and external financial reporting, tax returns, and grant compliance. Monica earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida International University in 2001 and is a Certified Public Accountant since 2004.
Mary Gomez
Vice President of Business Development
Mary Gomez has been working on behalf of patients with epilepsy and their families since 2003. From 2005 to 2010 Mary was the program contract monitor for the State of Florida through the Florida Department of Health epilepsy program. She then served as Executive Director from 2010 to 2016 and most recently was promoted to Vice President of Business Development. In her current role, she manages a development team throughout the state of Florida. Before joining Epilepsy Alliance Florida, Mary managed over 100 employees as the General Manager for Rahn Hotels International on Fort Lauderdale beach. As the Manager on duty for the Best Western Hotels in Ft. Lauderdale, a 300-room resort. Mary served as a Board committee member on the Air and Sea Show committee and was instrumental in hosting the first Air and Sea show in 1999 on Ft Lauderdale beach which is still in existence. Mary’s passion shifted to the non-profit sector after her nephew was re-diagnosed with epilepsy in 2002. She continues to advocate for the rights of those living with epilepsy and their families.
Roxanna Galera
Vice President of Programs
Dr. Judy Siskind
Psychologist
Dr. Judith Siskind has been a staff psychologist of Epilepsy Alliance Florida for nearly 35 years. In that role, she provides psychological evaluations to help the agency’s clients know more about their strengths and challenges and get needed benefits or accommodations (whether in school, during their citizenship application interviews, or during the disability benefits appeal process). She also provides individual, parent, and family counseling to our clients. She serves (informally) as a consultant to neurologists, teachers, and other professionals concerned with the client’s quality of life.
Since Dr. Siskind is reasonably bilingual in English and Spanish, she does evaluation and counseling in Spanish for those clients who speak only Spanish or are more comfortable speaking personal matters in their native language.
Before moving from part-time to full-time at our organization twenty years ago, Dr. Siskind also worked as a clinical psychologist with Sunset Mental Health Associates in South Miami. Before moving to Miami, she was educated and worked in Boston and Baltimore. In Boston, Dr. Siskind was an instructor in Psychology at Boston University and a child psychologist in that school’s Child Psychiatry Department for five years. After receiving her doctorate in clinical psychology in Baltimore, Dr. Siskind was a post-doctoral fellow at Shepard and Enoch Pratt Hospital in Towson, Maryland, and subsequently a staff member at that psychiatric hospital for two years.
Dr. Siskind received her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, a Master of Education degree from Harvard University, and her Ph.D. degree from the University of Maryland in College Park.
Marchet Eaddy
Director of Marketing
Marchet Eaddy is the Director of Marketing at Epilepsy Alliance Florida and currently oversees the marketing for the state of Florida.
With an associate’s degree in Legal Studies and a BA in Education from Ashford University, Marchet Eaddy brings 19 years of experience in the marketing industry. A seasoned professional, Marchet has worked with both national and international companies, gaining invaluable insights along the way. Her diverse portfolio includes collaborations with celebrities, motivational speakers, global brands, and thought leaders.
Throughout her career, she has honed her expertise in web development, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), campaign management, social media, graphic design, and more. Currently serving as the Marketing Director, Marchet oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including the implementation of public relations, marketing, and promotional initiatives.
Marchet has led successful campaigns for high-profile clients such as VOGA Italia, the Women’s International Film & Arts Festival, DOCS, Gemma Di Luna, UBER, and others. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Marchet is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Marketing, further expanding her knowledge and skillset.
