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

Donald S. Wood, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer

Kristine Welker
Chief of Staff

Sharon Hesterlee, PhD
Executive Vice President & Chief Research Officer

Kathy A. Kauffmann
Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Development Officer

Michael J. Kennedy, MBA, CPA
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer

Board of Directors

Steve Farella
Chairman

Governor Brad Henry
Vice Chairman

Anjan Aralihalli
Director

John Costantino
Director

Benjamin Cumbo, III
Director

Ankur Ghia
Director

Jennifer Gottlieb
Director

Governor Brad Henry
Director

John Howell
Director

Louis Kunkel, PhD
Director

Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD
Director

Hon. Robert E. Pipia
Director

Christopher Rosa, PhD
Director

Charles D. Schoor, Esq.
Director

Mark Smith
Director

John Tognino
Director

Kristine Welker
Director

Eugene (Gene) Williams
Director

Victor Wright
Director

Lilian Wu, PhD
Director