Our Team

Steve Gleason played for The New Orleans Saints from 2000-2008. As a counter-culture athlete who spent his off-season adventuring in third world countries, he will always be remembered for his blocked punt on the night the Louisiana Superdome reopened for the first time after Hurricane Katrina.

In January, 2011 Steve was diagnosed with ALS, considered a terminal neuromuscular disease. Beyond his faith that there is a solution to heal, it is his mission to show that people can not only live but thrive after this diagnosis. In doing so, he intends to inspire others to do the same.  With that in mind, Steve and his wife, Michel, formed “Team Gleason” to help him accomplish those goals and more.

Steve has helped pass 2 laws, innovated for and helped create new technologies for people with ALS and other disabilities, is a Congressional Gold Medal Winner, and most importantly, the father of two amazing children.

In her original role as Co-Founder of Team Gleason and also as Steve’s wife, Michel had a crash course in ALS and all that implies. In the film, ‘Gleason’, she and Steve shared their story with the world, creating enormous awareness for the disease and Team Gleason. Her official roles are as an advisor and also managing merchandise for the organization, but she remains a pillar or maybe two. And, every good idea is always attributed to Michel.

Beyond founders Steve and Michel, Paul is the original Team Gleason member. He is also Steve’s father-in-law and the former Executive Director of the Foundation. After 11 years of building Team Gleason, we would not have made the impact, nor would we have helped as many people as we have, without Paul’s steadfast leadership, insight, dedication, and patience.

Paul is a life-long resident of New Orleans, a long-time business owner, lead singer of a band, and a restauranteur. His talents include managing a group of intensely passionate people trying to help those living with ALS. Paul works endlessly to raise funds for Team Gleason while creatively implementing the organization’s mission. Most importantly, he knows everyone’s birthday.

Sally can be seen putting together a fundraising softball game with NFL players or taking spouses of people with ALS to a spa day. She could be working countless hours on any given event, but you will rarely see her without a smile. She is our Chief Smile Officer.

A native New Orleanian, Kearney has committed his life’s work to furthering causes he is deeply committed to. Whether it was his time raising critical funds for Tulane University or with the American Red Cross, Kearney is now a powerful asset for Team Gleason and the ALS community. When asked what he hoped to accomplish working with Team Gleason, Kearney responded, “I want to help all people who are living with ALS get the help they need.” That was all we needed to hear. With a Masters Degree in Sports Administration and a long time tennis pro, Kearney brings the competitive spirit that all at Team Gleason focus on to find solutions for people living with ALS. Kearney is the father of 3 beautiful children and is reported to be a better than fair singer. Although he lived in Nashville for some time after Hurricane Katrina, we are glad he returned to New Orleans to literally sing Team Gleason’s praises.

Kenny is integral to the fundamental day-to-day financial operations within Team Gleason. His background in business and finance has been a welcomed addition to Team Gleason’s primary focus of helping people with ALS each and every day. The role Kenny plays helps the organization continue to do those things more effectively.

Although Kenny did not know much about ALS, he joined Steve’s care team a few years ago and now has a rich understanding of not only the disease, but a valued understanding of the complexities of caring for someone with the disease. Those assets are essential to all Team Gleason’s missions.

Everything in Suzanne’s life directed her perfectly to Team Gleason. She’s been friends with Michel since the 9th grade, was in Steve and Michel’s wedding, and is a leader in advertising and marketing.  When Team Gleason was founded, Suzanne jumped in with both feet to assist with all things creative. 

When Steve declared there will be “no white flags” when founding Team Gleason, Suzanne seemed to make that her personal mantra when approaching any project for the group or for people with ALS.

Steve once said, “through adversity we find our heroes,” and our very own Content Development Associate, Kacie Banegas, is a living example of that statement. Kacie is a Type One diabetic, who like the ALS community we help, is empowered through the use of technology. Every day, Kacie uses innovative technology to manage her Diabetes, so she knows all too well how the power of technology can give back some of what diseases take away.

Kacie is the consummate “message-bringer.” She uses her natural writing abilities to share inspiring stories about the ALS community and the work Team Gleason does as community partners. Kacie was born and raised in New Orleans and we are glad she calls Team Gleason “home.”

Emily joined Team Gleason after obtaining experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist in an ALS multidisciplinary clinic, and neurorehabilitation outpatient clinic. Her value among the team is immeasurable and brings a critical depth of knowledge to help Team Gleason meet its goals of assisting more people living with ALS.

In her time at Team Gleason, Emily has said, “It feels unreal to be able to help the amount of people each day in the way that we do. This was a big change from working in a clinic where you have a certain amount of time to work with each patient and have to see so many per day, to being able to actually listen and assist each person no matter the time or insurance. 

From New Orleans, Emily was a longtime fan of Team Gleason and has always been passionate about working with people living with ALS. Despite her fears of watching the film, ‘Gleason,’ because she felt she would cry for hours, she said it only made her more passionate to join the team and make an impact. We’re glad she did.

Coming from a background of in-home care and customer service, “Shon” is a perfect fit for not only Team Gleason, but for the ALS community.  As the Logistics Coordinator, Shon oversees all inventory, including updating and troubleshooting devices, shipping and prepping equipment, and processing donations and returns. She loves working with and learning about assistive technology. Her focus is always to make the lives of those with ALS more manageable with added independence while supporting those who care for them. 

There is a consistent theme with all who work at Team Gleason to make life better for those living with ALS and Shon is no exception. She chose to join Team Gleason in her path to help make an impact on the lives of others. Shon said, “The work I do brings me so much joy. I help provide needed equipment to maintain a degree of independence for pALS and take the stress off of caregivers and families. It gives me a sense of gratitude and humbleness.” And we are so grateful Shon is here to help the ALS community continue to do those special things.

​

Yutha plays a critical role in communicating with people and families living with ALS about the benefits of the equipment or technology they may need. Her goal is to ease some of the fears about those needs by sharing valuable information and ongoing support.

Yutha’s path from Boston to New Orleans came through interning at the State Department, working for a law firm, and on a Congressional campaign. But her overwhelming passion for life is in public service and humanitarian work. Yutha credits her drive to work for a non-profit with being raised by a family who dedicated their lives to helping others. Team Gleason and the ALS community are grateful.

Louisiana native Michael Holoway is a perfect addition to the Team Gleason Technology program. His experience in leadership, management and customer service is incredibly valuable for Team Gleason’s mission, but also critically important to the ALS community.

In joining Team Gleason, Michael said, “the ability to bring positive change into people’s lives is the most rewarding thing I have ever had the pleasure of doing in my professional career.”

Michael is a life-long Saints fan and that kind of fighting spirit is a job requirement at Team Gleason.

Emily’s love of travel is the perfect prerequisite to create and coordinate Team Gleason Adventures for people living with ALS. She’s traveled extensively and understands not only the joy and anticipation of travel, but also the preparation for a successful adventure. She says it best, “traveling changes you and informs you. If I can help anyone travel, especially those facing barriers they shouldn’t have to, I’ll be happy.” 

If her travel background wasn’t enough, Emily has worked in disability rights and in journalism. She first learned about ALS through the Ice Bucket Challenge and then saw Steve and Team Gleason in a Mardi Gras parade. Once she became more familiar with team Gleason’s mission, she joined the Team in an effort to return to helping people. We are thrilled to have her, but we especially hope she brings some of her Scottish folk dancing skills to the team.

As the founder of the Louisiana/Mississippi Chapter of the ALS Association who led the organization for 12 years, Kelly has a deep understanding of the needs of the ALS community. After losing her mother to the disease in 2001, she’s been committed to learning and teaching about ALS, while comforting and supporting the community.

As Team Gleason’s Respite Care Coordinator, Kelly is not only focused on supporting families who need respite relief, but she also connects directly with families after a recent diagnosis or ALS families who have unique questions or needs. 

Although Kelly has a specific role with Team Gleason, her purpose is best described in her own words, “I want to help bring light to their darkness, and hope to their despair. I only want to help as many families as I can.”

As Team Gleason’s Respite Care Coordinator, Kelly is not only focused on supporting families who need respite relief, but she also connects directly with families after a recent diagnosis or ALS families who have unique questions or needs. 

Although Kelly has a specific role with Team Gleason, her purpose is best described in her own words, “I want to help bring light to their darkness, and hope to their despair. I only want to help as many families as I can.”

Despite not knowing much about ALS when Steve was diagnosed, Rian dug in and began helping in every way. She’s been instrumental in the growth of Team Gleason in Steve’s hometown of Spokane through Gleason Fest, the Gleason Classic Golf Tournament, and other events, while creating many more key programs that benefit people living with ALS.