All Greater Good Foundation (Greater Good), on behalf of The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, is dedicated to identifying appropriate, cutting-edge research and practice, cultivating a collaborative research environment, and being recognized as a credible resource on Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disease, a rare, misunderstood and often misdiagnosed disease.

Greater Good was formed in July 2007 by Dr. Katja Van Herle, President and CEO, and Jacinta Behne, Executive Vice President. Dr. Van Herle’s passion and dedication to medicine for the cause of public health and Mrs. Behne’s commitment to education were the driving forces behind the organization and eventually gave birth to Greater Good. As specified in All Greater Good Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation, the specific purpose of this corporation is for “education and outreach programs that focus on public health issues and epidemics, as well as to fund basic science research pertinent to these issues.” The breadth of this language is intended to enable Dr. Van Herle and board members of the organization to select and implement projects that have not received proper recognition, understanding, and response. Without the intervention and support of Greater Good, worthwhile projects may not have the opportunity to develop and deliver their potential of benefiting substantial populations who are in need.

As a medical professional, Dr. Van Herle has had ample opportunities and experience in working with world-renowned research and medical institutions on a number of projects. In her long term association and her dedication to medicine, Dr. Van Herle has observed projects first-hand that have been rejected by major research institutes or corporations for political, business, or other reasons. She has long been interested in developing medicine and programs for those “orphan” projects that are best conducted through a non-profit organization that is free from major institute’s policy limitations and/or major corporation’s project parameters.

Mrs. Behne's career in education and management spans three decades and multiple platforms from university lecturer to education researcher. Her specific expertise is in project management and translating complex science content for public venues. Mrs. Behne served as a NASA contractor for many years in the area of education and public outreach. During that period, she collaborated with NASA centers and staff, including laboratory researchers, engineers, and public information officers. As such, she refined processes and protocols for reaching out to learning communities and the public through the World Wide Web, national conferences, print materials, and media applications.

In its current work for The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, Greater Good has formed a scientific and medical advisory board to provide oversight for projects and outcomes; identified basic science research centers that may apply for research funding; evaluated clinical centers of excellence; and solicited proposals to fund appropriate basic science and clinical research. Greater Good will work toward an ultimate goal of fostering collaboration between national and international NMO-dedicated research and clinical centers.

Ultimate Foundation goals include: a) establishing a centralized, functional patient registry, including cataloging of serum, tissue, and DNA samples; b) understanding the epidemiology of NMO Spectrum Disease, including incidence, prevalence, and clinical course; developing clinical tools to objectively follow the disease course in individualized patients; d) supporting an annual symposium to convene researchers and clinicians, thereby providing a platform for the presentation of research outcomes and new discoveries; e) studying alternative approaches in disease management; f) design and develop public information tools to heighten awareness and understandings of NMO Spectrum Disease and g) understanding the role of lifestyle and stress on disease progression.