JayEtta Hecker, M.S.
Co-Founder and Board President Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy Project (DEE-P Connections)
JayEtta grandmother to Elliott who struggles with one of the most severe rare genetic epilepsies. An economist by training, she served in diverse federal positions, directing program and policy evaluation over a 44-year career including 25 years with GAO, and 19 years in various executive branch agencies, culminating in a year working in the Carter White House. She brings a wide range of policy, evaluation, and communications skills as well as added urgency and passion to advocating for improved epilepsy outcomes for all. With her daughter, she has built an array of innovative and efficient mechanisms for accelerating the science and better treatments for not only her grandson’s disorder, but for all rare and catastrophic epilepsies including the International SCN8A Alliance, DEE-P Connections, and The Inchstone Project.