About Us

MDA Leadership

Meet the passionate staff and Board who lead MDA’s efforts to serve families living with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases through innovations in science and care.

Executive Leadership

President and Chief Executive Officer
Donald S. Wood, Ph.D.

Chief Research Officer
Sharon Hesterlee, Ph.D.

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Michael J. Kennedy, MBA, CPA

Executive Vice President, Healthcare Services
Nora Capocci

Executive Vice President, Community Engagement
Alicia Dobosz

Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Volunteers
Peri Gondim

Chief Legal Officer
Henry Lanman

Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy
Paul Melmeyer

Chief Marketing Officer
Morgan Roth

Chief Development Officer
Ruth Ann Dailey

Board of Directors

Governor Brad Henry
Chairman

Christopher Rosa, Ph.D.
Vice Chairman

Anjan Aralihalli
Director

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.
Director

John R. Costantino, Esq.
Director

Benjamin Cumbo, III
Director

Dan Fries
Director

Stephen Furnary
Director

Jennifer Gottlieb
Director

John Howell
Director

Nancy Kindelan
Director

Louis Kunkel, Ph.D.
Director

Elizabeth McNally, MD, Ph.D.
Director

Hon. Robert Pipia
Director

Matt Plummer
Director

Mike Rowlett
Director

Charles D. Schoor, Esq.
Director

Tom Simon
Director

Marshall ("Mark") Smith, NACD.DC
Director

Lilian Wu, Ph.D.
Director