Richard D. Hasz

President and CEO, Gift of Life Howie’s House

Richard (Rick) Hasz, Jr., MFS, CPTC, is president and CEO of Philadelphia-based Gift of Life Donor Program, one of the oldest and largest of the 57 organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the U.S. Mr. Hasz is also the president of the Transplant Foundation, president of the Gift of Life Institute, an international research and training center for donation and transplantation professionals, and president of Gift of Life Howie’s House. He joined Gift of Life in 1993 as a transplant coordinator and served as the program’s vice president of clinical services for 22 years before assuming the role of president and CEO on January 4, 2022. Mr. Hasz’s career features more than 30 years of life-saving work in the organ donation and transplantation field including oversight of Gift of Life’s clinical programs that encompass Transplant Coordination, Hospital Services, Organ Preservation, Eye Bank, Donation and Transplant Analytics, Quality Assurance and Tissue Recovery. Mr. Hasz is originally from Hershey, PA and has a Bachelor of Science in biology from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Forensic Science from George Washington University. Click here to read his full bio.

Jan L. Weinstock

Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel

Jan is the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Gift of Life Donor Program and its affiliates, Gift of Life Howie’s House and Transplant Foundation. She is proud to have an oversight role in Gift of Life Howie’s House and is excited about the extension of care and services that the Gift of Life Howie’s House and the Caregiver Lifeline Program represent. Prior to joining Gift of Life in 1999, Jan was a partner with Blank, Rome LLP in its Health Law Department. She received her Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania and her law degree from Villanova University School of Law. As an avid runner and early riser, Jan can be spotted running the streets of Philadelphia every morning before dawn.

Talia Giordano, MSW, LCSW

Director, Family Services and Caregiver Lifeline Program

In 2007, Talia graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Cabrini College and went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. Talia is licensed to practice social work in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey and previously worked with Davita Dialysis, Lankenau Medical Center and Jefferson University Hospital. Talia enjoys utilizing her healthcare and social work backgrounds to help families get the support they need while at Gift of Life Howie’s House. Talia also manages the Caregiver Lifeline Program for transplant caregivers who may not stay at Gift of Life Howie’s House. When she is not working she is staying in shape by chasing after her wild toddler Henry, eating at all of her favorite Philly restaurants, and traveling! Email Talia.

Sara A. Cohen

Director, Development

Sara is a Bucks County native and a graduate of East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. She started working for Gift of Life Howie’s House in 2009, taking part in its journey from capital campaign, to construction and program development, to eventually helping open the doors of Gift of Life Howie’s House. It was an exciting moment when she was able to witness the very first transplant family check-in on July 18, 2011. Sara is thrilled to be leading the Development Team where she gets to share her passion for the mission and help families during their time of need. Best of all, she gets to meet so many wonderful supporters who are also committed to welcoming families home at Gift of Life Howie’s House for years to come. John 17:3 Email Sara.

Stephen Tornone

Associate Counsel

Steve is a native New Yorker who spent seven years in Washington, DC studying politics and law. While working nights in property management and at a microbrewery, Steve obtained his Juris doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to the state bars of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He has served as Associate Counsel to Gift of Life Howie’s House since 2010 where he served as the owner’s representative during the construction process and continues to assist the organization in legal and regulatory matters. Steve is a hobbyist woodworker and can often be found in Gift of Life Howie’s House garage making sawdust. Email Steve.

Jaeson Howard

Director of House Operations

Jaeson is a Bucks County native with a passion for serving the transplant community. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications, a master’s in business administration, and years of experience in customer service. As the son of an organ transplant recipient, Jaeson is committed to advancing organ donation awareness, being a resource for patients and their families, and advocating for those who wait. Outside of the house, Jaeson loves to travel, enjoy the Philadelphia’s food scene, and take in a good movie. His passion for the cause and his commitment to exceptional customer service makes him a great resource to the House. Email Jaeson.

Genevieve Moore

House Operations Associate

Genevieve was born and raised in Media, PA. She graduated from the Community College of Philadelphia with her Associates Degree of Applied Science in Hospitality Management. She then went on to graduate from Widener University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Towards the end of her time at Widener University, Genevieve began working at Gift of Life Howie’s House as an intern. She is both excited and honored to be a part of the Gift of Life Howie’s House and looks forward to continuing in helping transplant families. Also known as the “Queen of House Activities,” Genevieve is one of the most creative members of Gift of Life Howie’s House team and enjoys expressing herself through multiple forms of art. Email Genevieve.

Noemy Mejias Ortiz

Guest Services Liaison

Please join us in welcoming Noemy Mejias Ortiz to the House staff team! Noemy recently started as a Guest Services Liaison. She is a long-time resident of Philadelphia with a strong commitment to community involvement. 

She gained her Associate Degree in Psychology from the Community College of Philadelphia and went on to earn her Bachelor in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from La salle University.  She also gained experience in the healthcare hospitality industry working at the Ronald McDonald House where she supported the needs of patients and families who use their facility.

So far, she has greatly enjoyed interacting with guests and staff while acclimating to her new position. She looks forward to continuing to support transplant patients and their families as well as being a resource to the Gift of Life Howie’s House team. 

In her free time, she enjoys sitting down with a good book, exploring the outdoors, and watching a good horror movie. We are excited to have her as our new Guest Services Liaison. Please join us in welcoming Noemy to our team!

Michelle Morrissey

Guest Service Liaison

Michelle was born and raised in Philadelphia and received a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Temple University in 2022. Michelle began at Gift of Life Howie’s House in January of 2022 as a Guest Services Intern and said she knew she wanted to work for a non-profit organization and provide comfort and support for families going through a difficult time, so the House was a perfect fit. She was promoted to Guest Services Fellow in May of 2023 and says that being able to put a smile on someone’s face and brighten the mood of the guests is very rewarding. In her free time, Michelle loves to watch horror films and attend as many concerts as possible! Email Michelle.

Ashley Tran

Guest Service Liaison

Ashley was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Leadership. In August 2018, she joined Gift of Life Howie’s House as a Guest Services Intern to learn more about the hospitality industry and organ donation. She loved the mission so much that she extended her internship until May 2019 and became a registered donor. Fast forward to December 2021, she returned to Gift of Life Howie’s House as the Guest Services Fellow to pursue her passion for supporting transplant families. During her free time, Ashley enjoys baking, listening to music, and watching movies.   Email Ashley.

Mia Moore

Social Worker

Mia was born and raised in West Chester, PA and has remained close to the area as she gained her undergraduate degree from Temple University and her master’s degree from West Chester University. While she originally started her career in the communications and development field, her passion for community work led her to pursue social work. This dedication to service makes her passionate about getting to know our guests and their individual needs throughout their transplant journey. Mia says she is excited to learn more about the transplant process and about each of our guests in this position. When she is not at work, Mia frequents local restaurants and loves to travel when she can. Email Mia.

Miranda Porter

Development Associate

Miranda was born and raised in Philadelphia, growing up in the Frankford and Kensington neighborhoods. She graduated Cum Laude from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. She then went on to obtain a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Chestnut Hill College. Her interest in nonprofit developed in undergrad when her scholarship opened the door to an internship at the Philadelphia Foundation. She has worked across diverse professional sectors from Nonprofit to Entertainment and the Regulatory Science industry. Miranda has a previous connection to Gift of Life as her father was a transplant recipient.  Her experience as a transplant family member and her passion for philanthropy lead to her joining the team at Gift of Life Howie’s House. Outside of work, Miranda enjoys trying out new recipes, hosting events, and staying up-to-date on the latest films and tv shows. Email Miranda.

Abigail Wells

Grant Writer and Communications Liaison

Abby is originally from San Diego, California and moved to Philadelphia to pursue a degree in Communications from Saint Joseph’s University. She was fortunate enough to intern with Alex’s Lemonade Stand early on in her college career, which spurred her desire to work within the non-profit sector. Abby began working at Gift of Life Howie’s House as an intern in 2020 soon after graduation and accepted this position in 2021. Although she has no past connection to transplant, Abby has grown passionate about Gift of Life Howie’s House’s mission and is grateful for the opportunity to help support transplant families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially with hiking and riding her bike, and exploring her new home state of Pennsylvania as much as possible!  Email Abby.

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