Our Team

Casey currently serves as the Chair of the Innovation and Technology Council (ITAC) for The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. Casey chairs Team Gleason’s Technology Advisory Committee and has spearheaded partnerships with technology companies like Comcast, Google, Microsoft, and more. These relationships have allowed Team Gleason to continue innovating technology that provides people with ALS the latest in accessibility functions. 

Blair was named on Gambit’s 2022 40 Under 40 list for his work and dedication to advocating for the ALS community through technological innovations. 

On Sally’s first day as a Team Gleason Intern, former Executive Director Paul Varisco said, “Stand up and give me a hug, you’re family now.” From that moment, Sally committed herself to Team Gleason’s mission of helping people living with ALS. 

Sally believes she has the most exciting job at Team Gleason. Sally now helps lead strategic planning as well as organizational growth and development. She is our Chief Smile Officer.

Kenny is integral to the fundamental day-to-day financial and operational aspects within Team Gleason. His background in business and finance has been an asset to Team Gleason’s primary focus of helping people with ALS each and every day. The role Kenny plays ensures the Foundation can continue to say “yes” to thousands of requests each year.

Although Kenny did not know much about ALS, he joined Steve’s care team in 2016 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. Kenny’s first-hand knowledge has made him a go-to resource for troubleshooting and problem solving for our team.

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 and educating 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. 

A New Orleans native, 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.

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.

From New Orleans,

Adina joins Team Gleason as Innovation and Partnerships Project Manager most recently from the Accessibility Center of Excellence at Twitter. Adina is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience evaluating and implementing Assistive Technology solutions at the Shepherd Center Assistive Technology Lab and United Spinal’s tech access committee. Adina is dedicated to ensuring tech accessibility, awareness, and impact for those with mobility disabilities. She is licensed by Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina Boards of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, has a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and holds a Georgia educator certificate. Adina is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional and an IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies.

Jeff joined Team Gleason on the simple premise that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. A native New Orleanian, he grew up with a sense of community, compassion for helping people, and to make the world a better place. Having an uncle who had ALS and being impassioned by the work of Team Gleason, Jeff is a perfect fit for advancing that mission.

Mary’s experience as a special education teacher led her to develop a deep interest in promoting accessibility for others. Working with students with limited verbal communication and motor skills helped guide her to her role as a Technology and Equipment Associate. “As a special education teacher, I worked with students who used various AAC devices and adaptive equipment and, in doing so, I became really interested in how those technologies can promote independence and improve someone’s quality of life.”

Building relationships with the ALS community is important to Mary. She enjoys assisting those living with ALS and their caregivers, especially learning and understanding their unique needs and finding accessible solutions. Mary believes that everyone has the right to independence, and she is proud that her work with Team Gleason truly enhances the quality of life for others. 

Mary grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and attended college in Jackson before moving to New Orleans. As a diehard Saints fan, she was a natural fit. Mary brings a unique and valuable perspective to Team Gleason through her past experience and we are lucky to have her on the team.

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.

Inspired by Steve’s story and the work Team Gleason does, Mollie is thrilled to join Team Gleason as a Technology and Equipment Associate. With previous experience as a certified nursing assistant and as a caregiver, Mollie is passionate about working each day to ease the stress of people living with ALS and their families. “I’ve witnessed first hand people struggling to live productive and independent lives because of the lack of resources provided to them. The programs Team Gleason provides for people living with ALS are exceptional.”

 Mollie is excited to expand her knowledge of accessible solutions and looks forward to forming lifelong connections within the foundation. 

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.

​

Travis credits his experience as both a journalist and a nursing assistant to his ability to connect with others. His time working in hospice care taught him the value of feeling comfortable as a patient, the impact of disease management and education, and the importance of caring for the caregiver. Disappointed by the gaps left in the healthcare system, Travis felt a calling to work for a non-profit that delivers real and tangible support to people in need.  

Travis brings his Southern charm with him wherever he goes. Originally from Texas, Travis has lived all over, including Memphis, the Northeast, and Baton Rouge, before falling in love with Louisiana and calling it home. Travis studied Anthropology and Sociology at Rhodes College and graduated in 2012. When he isn’t petting every dog he sees or cooking a new batch of soup, you can find Travis fixing up his houseboat in the Louisiana swamp!

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 Jamie puts it, everything seemed to line up perfectly for her to join Team Gleason. Her love for hosting events and bringing people together makes her job as the Events and Development Associate feel like anything but work. Jamie is excited to unite the Team Gleason community – fun included! “It is an important part of humanity to connect with others, especially with those who are going through similar life circumstances,” she says.

With a background in event organization and fundraising, Jamie looks forward to spreading awareness about ALS and helping to educate others. This New Orleans native loves to have a good time and hopes to see you at the next Team Gleason party!

After working in the corporate world for almost two decades, Kristi sought a new opportunity to make a difference as the CRM and Development Associate. Kristi specializes in customer service and oversees the software that enables Team Gleason to connect with our community in such a meaningful way. She loves that her work directly impacts the lives of people who need it most. She enjoys building relationships with those living with ALS, their caregivers, and the greater community.

Kristi says she is originally from “Kenna-Bra” and currently lives in Metairie, just outside of New Orleans. Before joining the team, Kristi actually volunteered for Team Gleason for many years!

If there was ever a real-life superhero, the ALS community would tell you it’s Liz. Working directly with families living with ALS, Liz navigates insurance benefits and helps locate additional resources as needed. Longtime friend of Steve and Michel, Liz jumped right into supporting Team Gleason. “Following Steve’s diagnosis, I sought out families living with ALS, all of whom welcomed me and were eager to share their hard-earned knowledge and experiences,” she says. “If it can be said that there is a silver lining to this awful disease, it is the community. I’ve never met a more intelligent, respectful, and generous group of people and I continue to learn from them every day.”

Drawing from personal experiences with rare diseases, Liz hopes that her work with Team Gleason helps make someone else’s ALS journey just a little easier.