Our Team

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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. 

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.

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.”

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.