Meet Our Founder, Brett Hundley
- Hundley Foundation Founder & Board Chairman
- NFL Quarterback (2015 – 2022)
- UCLA Quarterback (2012 – 2014)
How It Started
From its start in Chandler, Arizona, my path was guided by two forces – the allure of the gridiron and the love for my sister, Paris. With stops at Chandler High School and UCLA, I felt the thrill of being a career quarterback, with the camaraderie of the team, and the responsibility of leading at a very young age. In the NFL, I’ve been honored to lead teams for the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens.
But alongside this journey, there was another. My sister, Paris, was diagnosed with epilepsy when we were children. Witnessing her struggles – the bullying, the hospital stays, the isolation – deeply impacted who I am today.
Tackling Epilepsy & More
The Hundley Foundation was born from a desire to serve the broader social context of health and wellness. My field, therefore, became not just the football field, but also the field of social impact. Here, I could tackle epilepsy and more under the umbrella of wellness and education, with an emphasis on the disparities in resources available to disenfranchised communities.
While the thrill of football has shaped me, it’s my experiences off the field that have guided me to my true calling – making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families. The transition from athlete to nonprofit executive is not just about me hanging up my cleats, but about lacing up my boots to champion a cause that’s very personal and dear to me. That is why I am committed to changing the narrative for individuals like my sister to create a world where everyone belongs.
Life Lessons: From Football to Philanthropy
Resilience
One of the most significant lessons I've learned in football that translates to my foundation work is the power of resilience. The ability to adapt to setbacks and challenges is a teachable skill. Learning from them, and pushing forward with dedication and determination is key to community empowerment.
Community & Teamwork
Just as every player on a football team has a unique role, everyone involved in our Foundation—from volunteers to board members—plays an indispensable part in achieving our mission. It takes an entire team working harmoniously to truly make a difference.
Patience
Real change requires persistent effort and patience. Success doesn't happen overnight—whether it's winning a football game or supporting children and families impacted by epilepsy and other hardships. It's about investing time, energy, and resources, with the patience to see projects to completion.
Empathy
I've understood the value of empathy through my sister's struggle with epilepsy, thus came inspiration for The Hundley Foundation. Recognizing the challenges and struggles others face has allowed me to connect on a deeper level, driving me to create viable solutions.
Staff Members
Angie Wilson
Angie is deeply committed to strengthening communities and fostering meaningful connections among individuals, organizations, and the places they call home. As the Director of Community Engagement Nevada, Angie is driven by a passion for facilitating positive change and creating spaces where voices are heard, ideas are shared, and collaboration thrives.
With 10+ years of experience in the field of community engagement, Angie has honed her skills in strategic planning, audience participation, and innovative event design. As a person with epilepsy herself, Angie has always had a passion for helping patients and families with epilepsy and other diseases. Angie understands not only the impact of the disease but more importantly the impact of helping. As a result, Angie ensures that community events are not merely gatherings; they are catalysts for meaningful change and lasting connections. Her goal is to continue creating events that inspire, unite, and empower community members to actively participate in shaping their own collective future.
In addition to her work with the Hundley Foundation, Angie also works with a company called Neurelis. Neurelis’ sole mission is to help Epilepsy patients live more normal, productive, and worry-free lives. The companies’ only product is a diastat nasal spray called Valtoco that when administered can quickly and stop the seizure as well as preventing seizure clusters from happening in the future.
When Angie is not busy with Hundley FOundation events, she can be found hanging out with her miniature long-haired Dachshund fur-babies or traveling the world with her husband, Nate.
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Sasha Pina
Sasha is a dedicated and compassionate Epilepsy Support Manager with a strong commitment to driving positive change and improving the lives of those in need. With a background in epilepsy and a passion for making a difference, Sasha is focused on providing vital support to individuals with epilepsy and those that love them.
Sasha is 28 years old and was first diagnosed with epilepsy at age 17, approximately one year after a sports related brain injury. She was diagnosed with both focal aware and unaware epilepsy, after a seizure in church in July of 2011. Since that time, Sasha has endured countless seizures which dramatically altered her quality of life. Thankfully, in February of 2016, she was able to have a VNS placed, which drastically reduced her seizures and gave her back some independence. According to Sasha, “I still have seizures, but I am much more alert cognitively and my seizures have decreased significantly. Definitely one of the best decisions we made.”
When asked Sasha about her involvement in the epilepsy community she replied, “I am very active in the epilepsy community and VNS community; it is truly my passion to help others.” Prior to assuming her role as Epilepsy Support Manager, Sasha served on the advisory board for the Hundley Foundation. She is also an ambassador for The Danny Did Foundation for her community in Nevada. Currently, Sasha is a nursing assistant who recently graduated as a certified neurodiagnostic tech (EEG). On her struggle with epilepsy, Sasha says, “Going through my journey with both a Traumatic brain injury and Epilepsy, I feel it has made me a stronger person and gave me a deeper passion to help anyone I can go through either journey and to be with them while doing so, no one needs to go through this journey alone.”
In her spare time, Sasha enjoys snuggling with her miniature poodle/chihuahua Snuggie, eating enchiladas and watching soccer.
Read LessBoard Members
Brett Hundley
Brett Hundley completed a record-setting career at UCLA before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 2015 NFL Draft. Hundley finished his career ranked first on the UCLA career touchdown pass list, total offense list, passing completions list, and on the all-time 300-yard total offense games list. He is currently in his sixth NFL season.
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Danielle Marano
Danielle Marano has been involved in the nonprofit field for over twelve years. Most recently in her past role as the CEO of the Hundley Foundation. Danielle joined the Hundley Foundation in January of 2021 and immediately went to work on expanding the capacity of the foundation. Under her leadership many new programs and initiatives were created and implemented. In July 2022 Danielle transitioned from her role of CEO to President of the Board of Directors.
Danielle’s work in the epilepsy field is extremely personal to her as she is an individual living with Epilepsy. Danielle was diagnosed with Generalized epilepsy at age thirteen. For over ten years she struggled to gain seizure control. After many failed medications, her team of doctors finally found a combination that worked to control her seizures. While living with epilepsy created its challenges, Danielle graduated College with a degree in Business Management and married her high school sweetheart. She is a mother to an amazing ten-year-old boy that keeps her very busy. Danielle’s motto has always been “if the plan doesn’t work change the plan but never the goal.” Seizures are never predictable and just when you think you have the right plan a seizure changes everything. We all must work together and never take our eyes off the goal.
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Samuel Estes
Samuel Estes is the Director of Operations for a government contractor servicing the Department of Homeland Security and specializes in both Force and Executive Protection. He has received numerous awards and honors in his 15-year-plus professional career as a security and law enforcement professional. Mr. Estes has been educated and trained at both Harvard University and the University of Oxford in Organizational and Executive Leadership.
Mr. Estes previously served on the Leadership Board and as Co-Chair of the Athletes vs Epilepsy Initiative at the Epilepsy Foundation, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Bender Leadership Academy. As a mentor to youth and young professionals, he focuses on the importance of being active and positive members of their communities.
Mr. Estes is also a published author and philanthropist, who has provided scholarships and other financial support to various non-profit organizations across the country.
Mr. Estes is very proud to serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Hundley Foundation and understands the importance of carrying out the vision of the Foundation while never sacrificing the mission of serving those in need.
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Paris Hundley
Paris Hundley is a proven team leader with years of experience in both the retail and healthcare professions. Paris’ “team first” managerial style resonates with her staff and encourages them to view programming and policies from the perspective of the individuals that they serve. Her professional drive for working in the non-profit realm derives from her personal journey as an individual living with epilepsy. Her firsthand knowledge of experiencing the implementation of current social and economic services gives the Hundley Foundation a unique and much-needed perspective on where and how to allocate resources and advocate for disenfranchised communities.
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Jim Shannon
As a government leader in the Department of the Navy, Jim has continued his leadership experience in the private sector since 2016. With his proven record of success and results-oriented perspective, he has brought innovation to bear in both technology solutions and program directives. His strong leadership experience includes high levels of accountability, pioneering policy guidance, and strategic planning to forward the goals and missions of the organizations he supports. He has advised dozens of leaders across the world, among more than 40 countries and international partners, where Jim personally coordinated international maritime solutions for local and regional security problems. Overall, Jim Shannon helps individuals and organizations explore ways to overcome challenges. He relies on objective analysis and practical expertise in his pursuit to improve business and society. Jim enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, two sons, daughters, and grandson.
Read LessJoin us for a better tomorrow.
Come alongside us as we embark on a journey of empowerment and education. Your generous donations play a crucial role in providing assistance to families affected by epilepsy and other disabilities. Together, let’s reshape the narrative and redefine the experience of living with epilepsy.
