Save The Date

Our Honorees

June Jacobs & Rochelle Jacobs

June Jacobs
For over 30 years, June Jacobs has been a pioneer in the skin care industry. Her experience in developing skin care lines for dermatologists sparked her passion for creating her own formulations. She co-founded and currently serves as President of Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care. June’s commitment to advancing socially responsible natural skincare products, alongside her daughter Rochelle, led to the launch of two lines—JUNE JACOBS SKINCARE and NATURALLY SERIOUS—focused on highly effective, natural ingredients and a holistic approach. As CEO of both brands, she has successfully merged scientific advancements and technological innovation with nature-based ingredients. Early on, June established June Jacobs Labs to maintain the highest levels of quality and standards in manufacturing, overseeing all production in her state-of-the-art facility. For the past 25 years, June has been a steadfast supporter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Rochelle Jacobs
Rochelle Jacobs, a dynamic force in the skincare industry, currently serves as the Managing Director for June Jacobs and Naturally Serious Skincare, while also playing a pivotal role in managing IT and eCommerce for Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care. With a passion for skincare innovation, Rochelle has been instrumental in guiding these three prominent brands, ensuring they remain faithful to their original vision.

Her journey began in the financial sector where she honed her skills at Lehman Brothers and Viacom, becoming one of the youngest managers overseeing Viacom’s Pension Fund Investments, 401(k) plans, and global currency positions. Armed with this invaluable experience, she transitioned seamlessly into managing the operations of Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care and June Jacobs.

Beyond her professional journey, Rochelle is a dedicated advocate for various causes. Born and raised in New York City, Rochelle and her two boys Jake and Luke, proudly call New York home.

Edrice Simmons

Edrice Simmons grew up in a small farming community where, as one of the few Black girls in town, her potential was often overlooked. In 30 years of senior executive roles at top-tier biopharmaceutical companies, she’s discovered that when someone is held back from reaching their full potential, it’s a leader’s responsibility to give them a push.

Edrice started her career at Eli Lilly and Company, where she spent 20 years as a leader recognized for propelling new standards of care across several therapeutic areas, including care in Endocrinology, Oncology and Women’s/Men’s Health, and won the Chairman’s Award for pushing diverse talent into the spotlight.

In 2016, Edrice became the Vice President of Gastroenterology at AbbVie, a $54 billion Top-5 biopharmaceutical company known for its leadership in Immunology. She noticed, like her upbringing, that people living with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk of being held back from reaching their full potential due to the disease. She prioritized engagement with the scientific community and patient advocacy groups like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, to push for higher standards of care for people living with inflammatory bowel disease.

She was integral in partnering with research and development at AbbVie to bring the next generation of treatments in inflammatory bowel disease and led the effort to thrust two novel therapies to approval two years earlier than expected. She has been recognized by several patient advocacy groups, including for her significant role in pushing female gastroenterologists into the spotlight. Notably the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation recognized her efforts to raise close to $200,000 of her own personal funds and over $1 million of AbbVie funding to help find a cure for inflammatory bowel disease.

Her efforts are no different in her current role as the Vice President, Oncology at AbbVie, where she’s focused on transforming the current standards of care for people living with blood cancers and solid tumors. Her mission is to ensure that, with the right innovative treatments, more people living with cancer can reach their full potential.

Edrice is enthusiastic about her work with the Healthcare Businesswomen Association, the National MBA Association, and other local community organizations. She has served on the Board of Directors of four non-profit organizations and is a member Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Bella Pass, Rising Star

After a life time of what was thought to be just stomach issues, Bella was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 13. The diagnosis was validating; but surprising as there is no record of the disease in her family history. Bella and her parents, with the amazing support of their friends and community were able to research the disease and doctors ultimately finding care under Dr. Marla Dubinsky and her renowned team at Mount Sinai.

Bella is currently in her freshman year at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory school where she has been an accomplished student since the Pre-K. She plays basketball for her school, is part of Model Congress, and participates in the Columbia Prep Journal. With a passion and gift for writing she has also completed three different writing courses through John’s Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth, all with high marks, while attending her regular school. Bella spends her summers at Raquette Lake Camp for Girls where she enjoys wake surfing and spending time with her camp friends. She is a big sister to her 12-year brother, Evan, and her new dog “brother”, Romeo.

Bella is two years into her treatment journey, and is not in remission yet. She has been able to keep up with her daily life, school, friends and sports all while testing new treatments, going to doctors’ appointments, and getting infusions. She is working on understanding her Crohn’s and which lifestyle modifications will help her to feel her best each day. Bella enjoys acupuncture and basketball to help her de-stress and manage her disease. She looks forward to the day that she can say she feels great. With her incredible support and medical team behind her, Bella knows this day is just around the corner. She is eager to get her health under control and find a way to help the Crohn’s and Colitis community to support teens like herself.