Our People
Our organization was founded by an AFE survivor and all of our team members and advisors are those with a lived experience.
![MIRANDA KLASSEN](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/M-Klassen-300x300-1.jpg)
MIRANDA KLASSEN
Founder
Miranda, an AFE survivor, is the Executive Director of the AFE Foundation, which she founded in 2008 just 3 months after recovering from her AFE. Since day one Miranda has shown compassion for families grieving the loss of a loved one and supporting those and others impacted by AFE.
She is responsible for defining and implementing the organization’s overall business and marketing strategic plans and is the primary driver in overseeing day-to-day operations. Miranda assisted in the development and implementation of the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Registry in collaboration with AFE experts and maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, Wayne State University, and the Perinatal Research Branch of the NICHD of the National Institute of Health. The Registry is the world’s largest database of AFE cases allows for future investigations pertaining to the genes and mechanisms associated with AFE.
Miranda spent 20 years in banking, finance, and business development. In 2015, Miranda left her career in banking to run the foundation full-time. Miranda also serves on boards of various maternal health organizations. She is the Patient Advocate for the Council for Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care based in Washington D.C., Executive Committee Member for the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC), Pregnancy Associated Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PAMR) Executive Advisory Member for the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement, and as a member of the expert panel for the Obstetric Life Support Pregnancy Resuscitation Program at Baylor College of Medicine.
Miranda is a frequent speaker, panelist, and lecturer on amniotic fluid embolism and patient advocacy. She is also a contributing author on numerous publications on amniotic fluid embolism including a nationally approved AIM Safety Bundle Patient, Family, and Staff Support after a Severe Maternal Event.
Miranda has been recognized with several honors and awards for her professional and personal achievements including a feature in the 2016 People Magazine’s Special Edition American Heroes, recognizing her work with the foundation.
Her greatest joy and accomplishment is raising her son Van with her husband, ICU Nurse, Bryce.
Connect with Miranda
LinkedIn | Google Scholar
![KATY IMBROGNO](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/katy-300x300-1.jpg)
KATY IMBROGNO
Administrator
In 2013, Katy suffered an amniotic fluid embolism during the delivery of her third child. After the traumatic experience and long recovery, Katy began to research AFE and found the AFE Foundation for support and information. Fully recovered, Katy felt a strong dedication and loyalty to the AFE Foundation and served in numerous roles as a volunteer helping others navigate their own healing process as well as fundraising for the organization. In her current role of Director of Communications and Development, she continues to assist and mentor the AFE community through various AFE support groups, while also securing monetary and donated goods to benefit families affected by AFE. Katy continues to further her knowledge and experience with maternal mortality and morbidity by joining the AFE Foundation and other patient advocacy organizations through the MoMMA’s Voices coalition. Katy lives in New England with her husband Tim, three children, and two Wheaten Terriers.
![Kristi Gray](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kristi-300x300-1.jpg)
Kristi Gray
Research Coordinator
![Emily Taylor](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Emily-Taylor300x300.jpg)
Emily Taylor
Program Manager
Emily Taylor is the Program Coordinator and State Liaison Manager for the AFE Foundation. As a survivor from AFE during labor of her first child, she knew her passion to prevent this from happening to other mothers would never dull. She believes every mother should have the birth experience they desire and hope for. She is excited to work on the pilot program of the State Liaison to hopefully expand to the entire US and assist what we know about amniotic fluid embolism.
Emily also serves as the Provider Coordinator for the MoMMA’s Voices Coalition, assisting healthcare providers, hospitals, medical facilities, and other quality improvement partners going through the online training to prepare them for working with patient family partners.
Emily’s healthcare experience includes her work as Director of Patient Engagement for the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, where she primarily handled the engagement between patients and healthcare professionals. She received her Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from North Carolina State University.
When not working in the quality improvement field, Emily enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her four-legged friends of all sizes. She lives with her husband Alex and her daughter Evie in Cary, NC.
![Elise Bunting](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Elise-Bunting-300x300-1.jpg)
Elise Bunting
Social Media and Engagement Manager
![Amy De Simone](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Amy-DeSimone-e1621379553324.png)
Amy De Simone
Founding Board Chair
![CRYSTAL MATTHEWS](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Crystal-300x300-1.jpg)
CRYSTAL MATTHEWS
Acting Board Chair
Known for her attention to detail, inimitable professionalism, and organizational skills, Crystal has and continues to play a significant role in helping our organization with our administrative, educational, and research-related initiatives.
Crystal became involved with the AFE Foundation as she transformed her own personal and tragic experience of losing her sister from an AFE into one of education, advocacy, and hope. Despite being in significant grief, Crystal insisted the best way to heal was to help others. Just a short time after losing her sister, Crystal organized fundraisers, identified and referred a research coordinator to join our organization, served as a member of the ACOG Maternal Early Warning Signs (MEWS) Working Group, and has attended the patient and family advocacy training through MoMMA’s Voices’ Champions for Change Training Summit for several years.
Crystal is also a gifted speaker and often shares her story through the lens of the family experience in a way that her clinician colleagues understand; it is a perspective few share.
Crystal leads a growing obstetric practice in Virginia Beach, VA, and loves spending time with….and is very much looking forward to being a doting grandmother.
![MICHELLE MOON](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Michelle-Moon-e1621380056966.png)
MICHELLE MOON
Vice-Chair
![SANDRA BOZANIC](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sandi-300x300-1.jpg)
SANDRA BOZANIC
Finance
Sandi is a Certified Public Accountant with 20 years of extensive experience in financial analysis, forensic accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial management. When a close friend suffered and survived an amniotic fluid embolism, Sandi wanted to support the mission of the AFE Foundation. Sandi’s extensive experience in finance, analysis, operations, budgeting, and forecasting enables her to provide a high level of expertise in overseeing the AFE Foundation’s finances.
![STEPHANIE ARNOLD](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-300x300-1.jpg)
STEPHANIE ARNOLD
Director
![DIANA MASULLI](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/diana-300x300-1.jpg)
DIANA MASULLI
Director
Diana suffered an AFE in 2016, immediately following the birth of her first child, a daughter – Francesca, who was affectionately named after the ICU Nurse that took care of her. In the days that followed her AFE, and while she laid in the hospital recovering, it was her husband, Alan, who actually found the AFE Foundation through a google search and suggested Diana join the Facebook support group. It was there that she found an army of other survivors who understood what she was going through and supported her with the struggles that she and her family would face in the months and years that followed. In 2017, Diana reached out to the organization to volunteer and assist with the peer-based support groups.
Diana has organized blood drives to raise awareness and funds of AFE and other maternal health issues. In 2018, she and fellow AFE survivors in CT were instrumental in supporting a bill to mandate AFE education to all clinicians in Connecticut. In addition, Diana attended the Champions for Change Summits in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Mom Congress in Washington D.C. to advocate for legislative changes related to Maternal Health in 2019, and joined the CT Maternal Mortality Review Committee in 2021.
Diana holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked for various non-profits to support children and families, and currently is an elementary School Social Worker. Diana and her family also support different children and their families involved in the foster care system.
Diana hopes that she can continue to support other survivors and their families and raise awareness for the AFE Foundation and postpartum mental health.
![NAOMI VENTOUR](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Naomi-300x300-1.jpg)
NAOMI VENTOUR
Director
Naomi is an Administrative Business Partner (ABP) at Google joining them in 2017 after an 8-year stint in Burberry as Executive Assistant to the CEO Americas and EMEIA. Naomi is currently an ABP in Sales, UK Lead for State of Black Women – a space for Black women at Google of all levels to build community and align on a shared agenda and Co-Lead of a Race, Empathy & Belonging DEI initiative.
Naomi has held various roles in the tech, legal, and publishing world, and has lived and worked in Australia and Bermuda. She is married and mother to two very wonderful and very cheeky children.
After losing her beloved sister Natalie in July 2014 to an Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Naomi is devoted to raising awareness of AFE and funds for the Foundation in her sister’s name.
Naomi advises the AFE Foundation on cultural and racial inclusivity and helps expand our understanding of international societal norms in many of the areas and countries we serve abroad.
![JUSTIN WACLAWEK](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Justin-300x300-1.jpg)
JUSTIN WACLAWEK
Director
Our Team
![MIRANDA KLASSEN](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/M-Klassen-300x300-1.jpg)
![KATY IMBROGNO](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/katy-300x300-1.jpg)
KATY IMBROGNO
Administrator
![Kristi Gray](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kristi-300x300-1.jpg)
Kristi Gray
Research Coordinator
![Emily Taylor](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Emily-Taylor300x300.jpg)
Emily Taylor
Program Manager
![Elise Bunting](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Elise-Bunting-300x300-1.jpg)
Elise Bunting
Social Media and Engagement Manager
Our Board Members
![AMY DE SIMONE](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Amy-DeSimone.png)
AMY DE SIMONE
Founding Board Chair
![Crystal Matthews](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Crystal-300x300-1.jpg)
Crystal Matthews
Acting Board Chair
![MICHELLE MOON](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Michelle-Moon.png)
MICHELLE MOON
Vice-Chair
![Sandra Bozanic](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sandi-300x300-1.jpg)
Sandra Bozanic
Finance
![STEPHANIE ARNOLD](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-300x300-1.jpg)
STEPHANIE ARNOLD
Director
![DIANA MASULLI](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/diana-300x300-1.jpg)
DIANA MASULLI
Director
![Naomi Ventour](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Naomi-300x300-1.jpg)
Naomi Ventour
Director
![Justin Waclawek](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Justin-300x300-1.jpg)
Justin Waclawek
Director
Our Medical Advisors
![Gary A. Dildy III](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gary-Dildy-III.jpeg)
Gary A. Dildy III
Vice-Chair
![Dr. Irene Stafford](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Stafford-Irene-300x300-1.jpg)
Dr. Irene Stafford
Chair and Registry Director
![Steven L. Clark](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/slclark-300x300-1.jpg)
Steven L. Clark
Advisor
![Roberto Romero](https://web.archive.org./web/20220816121106im_/https://afesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/prb_chief_romero-300x300-1.jpg)
Roberto Romero
Biorepository Chair