The Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation is proud to announce its 2025-26 leadership team. Community volunteer Katie Mueller serves as Board Chair, with an impressive executive team comprising Chair-Elect Amy Cohn, Corresponding Secretary Julie Kroot, Recording Secretary Betsy Haenel, Treasurer Shaun Bracken, and Finance Chair Amy Flood. Women’s Board members Sydney Fox and Betsy Moore will serve as the Co-Chairs for the 61st Barrow Grand Ball. Jan Lewis is the Ball Advisor. The Ball will be held on January 24, 2026, at the Arizona Biltmore.
“We are fortunate to have such a talented group committed to raising awareness and funds to advance life-changing neuroscience research at Barrow Neurological Institute. The annual Barrow Grand Ball marks the culmination of our efforts throughout the year and serves as a way to thank everyone who supports our mission,” said Women’s Board Chairman Katie Mueller.
One of the most impactful ways this is recognized follows a tradition started in 2006 of selecting a critical area of research at Barrow to receive special funding through the Ball as the Women’s Board Special Project. For the 2026 Ball, the Women’s Board has selected the Ivy Brain Tumor Center as the Women’s Board Project.
With over 250,000 new cases annually, and a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%, glioblastoma is simultaneously the most common and the most lethal brain cancer in adults. Unfortunately, no new drugs have been identified in over 25 years, and conventional clinical trials still require years to determine efficacy.
The Ivy Center, led by Dr. Nader Sanai, was founded with a singular goal: to discover new treatments for glioblastoma and other incurable brain tumors. Patients enrolled in Ivy Center trials gain access to new therapies unavailable anywhere else in the world. It’s a faster, smarter path to lifesaving breakthroughs, fueled by philanthropy and designed to change the future of brain cancer.
“We are honored to select the Ivy Brain Tumor Center as this year’s Women’s Board Project. Its signature Phase 0 clinical trials program is the largest in the world and enables personalized care in a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional drug development. We could not think of a more deserving project to support,” said 2026 Ball Co-Chairs Sydney Fox and Betsy Moore.
In addition to fundraising, the Women’s Board is committed to raising awareness about Barrow Neurological Institute. Since 1999, the group has held an annual Education Enrichment Evening where donors and community members can learn about the cutting-edge work at Barrow directly from its doctors and researchers. This year’s event will consist of a panel discussion moderated by Barrow Emeritus Chair of Neurosurgery Robert F. Spetzler, MD, and will feature Barrow President and CEO Michael T. Lawton, MD, Ivy Center director Nader Sanai, MD, and Barrow surgeon-scientist Zaman Mirzadeh, MD, PhD.