Our Team

Debra Meyerson, Co-founder, Co-Chair

Steve Zuckerman, Co-founder, Co-Chair

Debra Meyerson is an author, advocate and a professor at Stanford University Graduate School of Education. Prior to her stroke in 2010, Debra’s academic work focused on feminism, diversity, identity and organizational change;  a full academic resume and publication history is included in her Stanford Faculty Profile. Debra’s most recent book,  Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves after Stroke (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2019) helps stroke survivors and those closest to them navigate the emotional journey that she has found very difficult—and rewarding. In addition to her work with Stroke Onward and her ongoing rehabilitation therapy, Debra serves on the boards of Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) and the Pacific Stroke Association (PSA). Debra received her B.S. and M.S. from M.I.T. and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Stanford University. 

Steve Zuckerman is President of Self-Help Federal Credit Union and Managing Director of Self-Help’s California operations. Self-Help is a nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), whose mission is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for underserved communities. Steve’s prior work experience includes almost 15 years with McCown De Leeuw & Co, a private investment firm, and consulting with Bain and Co. In addition to his work with Self-Help and Stroke Onward, Steve currently serves on the boards of Tides Foundation and Positive Coaching Alliance, as well as the New Market Tax Credit advisory board of Opportunity Fund. Steve earned a BA from Yale University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where Debra Meyerson was his instructor.  

Debra and Steve live in the San Francisco Bay area, and have three adult children.  

Flannery O’Neil, Executive Director

Flannery O’Neil, MPH received her Bachelor of Arts from American University and a Master of Public Health from A.T. Still University. She has worked in healthcare and public health for more than 15 years in both the non-profit and government sectors. Her areas of expertise include communications, data, public health program development and management, and organizational leadership. Most recently, she worked in stroke and cardiac quality improvement for the American Heart and Stroke Association and served in leadership roles for a local public health agency.

Since experiencing an ischemic stroke in 2017, she has worked to advocate both personally and professionally for the needs of people experiencing stroke including founding and leading two stroke support groups.

She lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, Andrew and their two dogs.

Jodi Kravitz, Program Director

Jodi Kravitz has always worked at the intersection of social mission and innovation. Before being recruited to help launch Stroke Onward, Jodi worked for almost a decade with FIRST, an award winning  nonprofit STEM inspiration program. Her responsibilities with FIRST LEGO League included program operations and partner relationships in more than 80 countries. She began her career working in strategic planning and other key roles for multiple national healthcare providers. Jodi has volunteered extensively for public television and other causes from her home on the seacoast in New Hampshire. Jodi received an MBA from Vanderbilt and a BA from Yale University, where she roomed next door to Steve Zuckerman her freshman year. 

Courtney Cooper, Communications Specialist

Courtney L. Cooper has worked for community college students on campus and nationwide. Through her work as President of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), representing 2.1 million students, Cooper fought for system-wide changes through the legislature and the Board of Governors to improve student lives. During her tenure, the SSCCC helped over half a dozen laws to get passed, including AB 1995 for students with housing insecurity. In 2017, Courtney was awarded Woman of the Year: Rising Star by Senator Jim Beall for her legislative advocacy on behalf of the disabled, LGBTQ+, and former foster youths. Courtney received her associate degree in Intercultural Communication from Foothill College and is now in her final year completing her BA in Business Management at Menlo College, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She plans to continue her work in advocacy for the disabled, especially for underserved communities.