Our Staff

Executive Director

Susan Dickinson, M.S., CGC, joined AFTD as Executive Director in February 2008. She is a certified genetic counselor with more than 20 years’ experience facilitating communications among lay, scientific and medical communities for the benefit of patients, their families and the professionals who work on their behalf. Most recently Ms. Dickinson worked as a freelance writer and consultant to a number of rare disease patient advocacy organizations. She has worked with AFTD since shortly after its inception, writing and editing the organization’s newsletter and other publications.

Program Director

Sharon S. Denny, M.A., joined AFTD as Program Director in September 2008. She has more than 25 years experience with nonprofit organizations that serve people with disabilities and their families. Her concentration has been on the development and delivery of innovative, responsive services to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, including those with serious psychiatric illness and traumatic brain injury. Sharon brings this commitment to AFTD where she directs our caregiver support and educational initiatives.

Scientific Director

Sharon Hesterlee, Ph.D., joined AFTD as Scientific Director in October of 2011. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience has more than 13 years experience in non-profit research administration and has managed therapeutic development programs for both large and small organizations. Her particular expertise is in working with industry partners to move promising academic research into clinical development. She also serves on the Council for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and on the Board of Directors of the Health Research Alliance and the University of Arizona’s School of Mind, Brain and Behavior.

Development Manager

Pamela E. McGonigle, M.A., joined AFTD as Development Manager in April 2011. She has more than 12 years of significant experience and achievements in nonprofit organizations with a proven track record in developing and implementing fundraising strategies, plans and programs that yield enhanced visibility and increased revenue streams. Currently Pam serves on the board of directors for NOAH, another rare disease organization. Pam is a Paralympic gold medalist, and for the past 20 years she has been an active spokesperson for persons with disabilities.

Communications & Marketing Manager

Angie S. Maher joined AFTD in May 2011 as Communications and Marketing Manager. She has 15 years of communications and marketing experience, including the last six years with nonprofit organizations. Angie holds a degree in English and brings strong writing skills to AFTD. Her work has been printed in national publications, and she has designed billboards, tradeshow booth displays and advertising campaigns. Using this experience, Angie will take AFTD branding, awareness and communication to the next level.

Program Coordinator

Matthew Sharp, M.S.S., joined the staff in December 2009 as Program Coordinator.  Having earned his Master of Social Service degree from Bryn Mawr College’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, he made a career transition to social services from the field of natural sciences. Matt also has a personal connection to FTD, as his father-in-law was recently diagnosed with the disease. Matt is integral to AFTD’s patient and caregiver support and education efforts, and is responsible for development of AFTD’s Grassroots Network.

Office Manager

Michelle Leahy started as AFTD’s full-time office manager in August 2009, just in time to anchor the office’s move from Philadelphia to Radnor, Pennsylvania. Michelle handles all office operations and processes donations.