Our Staff
Our team is dedicated to finding a cure for pancreatitis, and we work collaboratively to make progress toward this important goal. With diverse expertise and a shared passion for advancing medical research, we strive to develop new treatments and therapies to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.
Megan Golden
CEO, CO-FOUNDER
Megan Golden is the co-founder and CEO of Mission:Cure, which is using outcome-based financing and impact investing to demonstrate a new model for curing disease, beginning with chronic pancreatitis, a devastating disease afflicting her younger brother.
She also serves as a Voting Member of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council, which provides independent appraisals of the benefits and costs of medications and other health interventions.
Megan has 25 years of experience developing and launching innovative programs in multiple fields including criminal justice, child welfare, mental health, and eldercare, as a senior executive at the Vera Institute of Justice and at the Institute for Child Success. Significant projects include helping South Carolina use Pay for Success financing to fund a $30 million expansion of early childhood services to low-income families (the largest Pay for Success project in the world), leading a major reform of New Orleans’ criminal justice system in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and creating a successful alternative to detention for people in immigration proceedings.
Megan has also published extensively on Pay for Success financing and performance measurement. She served on McKinsey & Company’s advisory group for its work on Social Impact Bonds, and as a Fellow at the New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where she taught performance management and directed the Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service.
In 1994, Megan was awarded a White House Fellowship. She has a BA in political science from Brown University and a JD, magna cum laude, from the New York University School of Law.
Lola Rahib, PhD
VICE PRESIDENT OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
Lola Rahib oversees Mission: Cure’s scientific efforts to drive the development of the most promising and effective therapies for pancreatitis. She has extensive experience in strategically leading and bringing scientific and clinical programs to success.Â
Prior to joining Mission: Cure, she was the Director of Scientific and clinical affairs at Cancer Commons, where she led the development and implementing of a Virtual Tumor Board (VTB) program with a knowledge base learning system for pancreatic cancer patients.
At the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, she led scientific research and initiatives including a molecular profiling program, a patient registry, and an early detection initiative. In addition, she has authored many publications that have contributed to the field of pancreatic cancer.
She also spent a few years in the private sector as a scientist for multiple biotech companies. Lola has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and an MS and PhD in biomedical engineering from UCLA.
Skye Shrader
CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Skye Shrader oversees Mission: Cure’s digital marketing and communication strategies as our Creative Communications Manager. She is responsible for engaging patients, families, researchers, clinicians, and other members of Mission: Cure’s community by providing useful, timely information and opportunities for interaction and connection.
Prior to joining Mission: Cure, Skye served as a Graphic Designer and Digital Marketing Assistant at Back40 Design. There, she was responsible for the ideation and execution of branding, print and digital design, and marketing campaigns for small and large businesses.
Skye has also played a key role in developing the brand strategies of several nonprofit organizations, such as Circle of Care, a foster care and prevention resources agency, and Shred The Stigma, a needle exchange and harm reduction organization serving Oklahoma City. She is passionate about creating lasting impact in communities that have historically been underserved.
Skye is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a B.A. in Journalism, with a focus in Advertising.
Shruthi Meera Shankar
CONSULTING PROJECT MANAGER: PATIENT EDUCATION PROGRAM
Shruthi Meera Shankar is our Consulting Project Manager for Mission: Cure’s Patient Education Program. Based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and hailing from India, she brings a unique perspective to her role. Having personally experienced the challenges of living with pancreatitis, Shruthi deeply understands the importance of patient-focused outreach.
Her education and experience in the food and beverage industry, particularly in operations, quality, safety & risk management systems, and project management, have honed her ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders. With a diverse learning background encompassing nutrition and behavioral science, public health, and integrated mental health practices, she brings a holistic approach to her work.
As the “Chief Listening Officer” between the patient community and various stakeholders, Shruthi strives to bridge the gaps in the healthcare system and provide valuable resources to those affected by pancreatitis while supporting our efforts to find a cure.
Eric Golden
CO-FOUNDER
Eric Golden is an investment banker, entrepreneur, and advocate for those coping with pancreatic disease. After being diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis in 2012 and witnessing the often-tragic toll of the disease, he decided to make fighting such conditions a life focus.
He is a co-founder of Mission: Cure, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for pancreatitis within 10 years; Chairman of the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research (CAPER); and a board member of the National Pancreas Foundation. He has testified in front of the FDA and regularly speaks to patients, physicians and researchers about his experience with pancreatic disease.
Professionally, Eric is the Founder and Managing Director of Fluential Partners, a boutique investment bank, Chairman of mobility startup Exokinetics, and a board member of several other ventures. Previously, he has served in roles ranging from CEO of a startup to General Counsel of Panavision and the Washington Football Team. Eric earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and an A.B. from Brown University.
Chloe Nelson-Torakawa
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INTERN
Chloe Nelson-Torakawa is our fall 2023 scientific research intern. She is a senior at UCLA majoring in Human Biology & Society. She has previously served as an editor for two undergraduate research journals, Grey Matters Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal and the Undergraduate Research Journal.
After graduating, she plans to take a gap year to work in the public health or nonprofit sector before applying to graduate school to study public health or bioinformatics. She is passionate about community engagement and is excited about the opportunity to be able to contribute to the work being done by Mission: Cure.