Meet the Advisory Board of Academy of Food Allergy Counseling

Who We Are

Javier Evelyn

BA

Business Advisor

Javier Evelyn is the Founder & CEO of digital health drug delivery company Alerje, where they create and deliver innovation that transforms the lives of over 220M families worldwide living with food allergies to help make every moment count.

In addition to being a founding team member of MedTech Color, he currently sits on the boards of the Accelerate Blue Fund at the University of Michigan, MATTER Health, AdvaMed Accel, and the ‘Case for Investment’ Advisory Committee at Rock Health. Previously, he was named as an awardee of the inaugural Black Founders Fund by Google for Startups, made the 2019 Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 list, served as the 2017 Google x CODE2040 Detroit EIR, and served as a Millennial Advisory Board Member at First Independence Bank.

Prior to these endeavors, Javier led the development of mobile app projects for a multi-billion dollar health insurance company/pharmacy benefit manager, and was a founding team member of an independent insurance agency where he led in sales and management. Originally from Broadview (Chicago), IL, he received his Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University.

Paige Freeman

PhD

Behavioral Healthcare Advisor

Dr. Paige Freeman is a psychologist who has navigated her child’s food allergy for the last 15 years. She provides telehealth services in 32 states to support adults, children (10+), and parents navigating food allergies.

Dr. Freeman is passionate about educating food-allergic individuals (and their families and friends) about the very real psychosocial stressors of managing food allergies. She enjoys writing articles and participating in interviews and podcasts as a way to elevate the discussion of the effect of food allergies on mental health.

Dr. Freeman is a frequent contributor to FARE and is one of only a few alpha-gal-informed mental health providers in the United States.

Alice Hoyt

MD, FAAAAI

Chief Medical Advisor

Dr. Alice Hoyt is the allergist who leads the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy. She has been practicing academic, evidence-based medicine for over a decade. Before medical school, she earned a degree in nutrition, so she is well-versed in navigating the complexities of food allergies. She then completed training and earned board certifications in internal medicine, pediatrics, allergy, and immunology. During her fellowship at the University of Virginia, she launched a now national allergy-focused non-profit organization. At Vanderbilt University, she continued her food allergy-focused efforts before transitioning to the Cleveland Clinic, where she helped launch its Food Allergy Center of Excellence. Check out Dr. Hoyt’s publications on PubMed.

After working at such world-renowned institutions, Dr. Hoyt is excited to share her knowledge of food allergy with families in her home state. In addition to leading the Institute, Dr. Hoyt hosts the top-ranked food allergy podcast Food Allergy and Your Kiddo and chairs the nationally recognized non-profit organization Code Ana. Connect with Dr. Hoyt and learn more about The Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy, Code Ana, and the Food Allergy and Your Kiddo podcast.

Tamara Hubbard

MA, LCPC

Chief Advisor

A thought leader, content innovator, and relationship builder at heart, Tamara founded the Food Allergy Counseling Directory and its professional therapist network (now AFAC). She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor trained in Marriage & Family Therapy with over 20 years of experience. In her private practice, Tamara helps allergic and non-allergic clients, especially parents, develop their “just right” balance between the overwhelm and living in alignment with their values.

An international speaker at conferences and events for both patient and provider communities, Tamara is an Allied Health member of both the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Honored to have been listed on Spokin’s list of the “Top 100 Women in Food Allergy”, she regularly contributes content to Healio Allergy & Asthma, is featured as an allergy counseling expert on Psychwire, and holds advisory roles for multiple allergy organizations, including FARE and CFAAR. Tamara has co-authored an allergic disease psychosocial journal paper, and is currently working on her first book, Navigating the Overwhelm of Allergy Parenting, published by Johns Hopkins University Press. To learn more about Tamara and her food allergy resources, or to work with her, visit www.FoodAllergyCounselor.com

Olga Kagan

PhD, RN

Healthcare Advisor

Olga Kagan, PhD, RN is a registered nurse, researcher, and educator with experiences across different healthcare settings inside and outside of the United States.

Dr. Kagan has been serving on boards, committees, and taskforces within New York state, national, and international organizations, including the NYAM, SONSIEL, AAAAI, and HIMSS. Dr. Kagan has been invited to contribute to textbooks, articles, and presentations in areas of healthcare informatics and innovation, health policy, and anaphylaxis education, and to serve as a mentor and judge at healthcare innovation events. Dr. Kagan was recognized for her work with elected officials on legislative initiatives to improve the health and welfare of vulnerable individuals and received several awards for her contributions to research and leadership.

Sarah Jane Lowery

BA, BA

Operations Advisor

A systems thinker and community-focused leader, Sarah Jane Lowery brings extensive operational expertise to the Academy for Food Allergy Counseling. With a background in education, youth development, and nonprofit program management, she specializes in building the structures and processes that help mission-driven organizations run smoothly and grow sustainably. Her work is grounded in a passion for creating learning environments that are accessible, supportive, and rooted in real-world needs.

Sarah Jane currently serves as Director for Code Ana, a national medical-emergency-preparedness organization, where she manages digital learning platforms, develops educational offerings, coordinates partnerships, and supports legislative and policy initiatives. Her experience leading trainings, shaping statewide safety efforts, and strengthening organizational systems positions her to support AFAC as it scales its professional network and educational impact.

As Operations Advisor, Sarah Jane helps ensure that AFAC’s counselors, members, and partners have the consistent, streamlined, and high-quality experience they deserve. She is energized by collaborative problem-solving and is committed to advancing AFAC’s mission by strengthening the operational backbone that fuels the organization’s growth and the field of allergy-informed mental health care.

Lori Moussapour

MA, LCSW

Behavioral Healthcare Advisor

Lori Moussapour, MA, LCSW, is a therapist, coach, consultant, and educator, who has decades of experience working with individuals, families, and institutions in a variety of fields related to mental health and wellness, culture and language, and belonging and inclusion.

In the last 10 years, one of her primary focuses is helping people with the social and emotional burdens of living with food allergies. Lori has both a Master’s Degree in Education and a Master of Social Work, as well as years of advanced training in areas such as Emotional Literacy (Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence), Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. She has a private practice, To Empower U, and heads an integrative psychotherapy group practice, called The Therapy Collective. Lori serves as an advisor to Equal Eats, whose mission is to support eating out safely, despite dietary restrictions, and she leads a peer consultation group through the Academy of Food Allergy Counseling

Francesca Rose

BA

Community Advisor

Francesca Rose has served as President of the Utah Food Allergy Network (UFAN) since May 2021, after having served as board secretary from 2018-2021.

Her food allergy advocacy journey began 18 years ago when her youngest daughter was born with a food allergy to all milk proteins.

Francesca is an active volunteer in her community and church and cares deeply about helping the world be a better place for everyone. In addition to advocating for safe inclusivity for those with food allergies, she has advocated for women, families, and children at the United Nations and other venues.

She is motivated by the belief that serving others through education and advocacy creates positive change in the world. Francesca has a Bachelor’s degree in Math and Music. As a freelance cellist and cello instructor, she has taught private cello lessons for 30+ years and currently maintains a private cello studio. Francesca enjoys reading and learning new things, gardening, kayaking, appreciating great art, and hanging out with her family and dog.