The Staff of the Hydrocephalus Association
Meet the dedicated team of the Hydrocephalus Association. We work daily to fulfill our mission of eliminating the challenges of hydrocephalus. We thank all of you for the opportunity to serve our community.
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Dawn Mancuso, MAM, CAE, FASAE
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As the CEO of the Hydrocephalus Association, Dawn is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan for HA, managing the overall operations and resources, and acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and the HA staff. Dawn joined HA on December 1, 2011. After initially working in the communications field, Dawn has been a non-profit manager for over 30 years. Prior to working for HA, she served for 15 years as the Executive Director/CEO of the Association of Air Medical Services and its supporting foundation, the MedEvac Foundation International.
She is a frequent presenter at association management conferences, and has been published in magazines such as Association, Executive Update, and other non-profit management publications. She is a past board member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and is the author of one of the chapters of Professional Practices in Association Management, the closest thing to a textbook for those in the association management profession. She also worked with Jim Collins (author of Good to Great) as part of the research team and one of the research authors of the book, 7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do that Others Don’t, published in 2006. Dawn earned the CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation from ASAE in 1991, and was named a Fellow of ASAE in March of 2001.
She has a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations from Georgetown University and a Master’s Degree in Association Management from George Washington University. In her spare time, she has volunteered as an usher for the Washington Shakespeare Theatre, and has served on the board of several community non-profits, including PAL, the Association Foundation Group (AFG), and MetroPets (an organization created to promote the adoption of homeless animals and the well-being of companion animals in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area through the smart use of Internet technology).
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Jennifer Bechard
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As the Support Group Liaison, Jennifer focuses on expanding and strengthening HA’s Support Group Network as well as oversees HA’s Teens Take Charge (TTC) program. Her secondary responsibilities at HA have her managing all of our online social media outlets including our Facebook pages, Twitter account, and Pinterest.
Driven by her own personal experiences with hydrocephalus, Jennifer began volunteering for HA in 2007 and then came on board full time in 2011. Jennifer was diagnosed with communicating hydrocephalus at the age of 10 and to date has undergone 100 surgeries. In 2007, Jennifer, along with her mother, started the Detroit, MI WALK and continued to chair the event for the following five years. In 2009, Jennifer partnered with HA to create a support group in Michigan. Prior to working for HA, she began her studies in nursing at Madonna University. She left during her first semester due to health issues and focused her energy and time on stabilizing her health and volunteering and advocating for hydrocephalus.
Jennifer has spoken on several occasions advocating for hydrocephalus and has spent much of her time fundraising. She has received the 2010 Cash Sweat and Tears Award and the Hydrocephalus Association Distinguished Award for Volunteer of the Year 2010 for her efforts. She plans to return to school to complete her undergraduate degree. In her free time, Jennifer likes to spend time with her family and friends, living life to the fullest.
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Randi Corey
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Randi joined HA in April 2010, initially as a fundraising consultant and then becoming a member of the staff in August of the same year. As HA’s Director of Special Events she is responsible for HA’s WALKs and Special Events including recruiting, training and providing ongoing support for HA’s volunteer WALK Chairs as well as working with volunteers coordinating a wide variety of other fundraising events across the U.S. In 2011 HA WALKs and Special Events raised $1,000,030.
Randi’s has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit administration and development, primarily with national non-profit health organizations, giving her an extensive background with special event fundraising. Prior to joining HA, Randi was the North Carolina State Director for the March of Dimes for 5 years. Before joining the March of Dimes, Randi was employed by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), opening its first chapter office in eastern North Carolina. Throughout her career, she has personally coordinated 91 fundraising events of all types (walks, galas, golf tournaments and more) raising a total of $8.9 million.
Randi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Canterbury College. In her spare time, Randi enjoys designing and making jewelry.
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Amanda Garzon
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As the Communications and Marketing Manager, Amanda is responsible for the development, management, administration and implementation of all aspects of communications and marketing for the Hydrocephalus Association (HA). As a mother of a daughter with hydrocephalus, Amanda joins her passion for the cause with her responsibility of raising awareness of the challenges of hydrocephalus and greater support for the work of HA.
Prior to joining HA in August 2012, Amanda served as the Director of Operations for iConstituent, a software firm specializing in communications and database solutions for elected officials, particularly Members of Congress. iConstituent purchased InterAmerica Technologies where, over her 10-year tenure with InterAmerica, Amanda launched a Business Process Management consulting division and was the Client Services manager for Federal government and corporate clients, among other responsibilities. Amanda started her professional career in the international non-profit field where over a 5 year period she worked on economic and political development projects in El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Amanda holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. In her spare time Amanda enjoys being a mom of two wonderful daughters, yoga, evenings with good friends and food, and leading her younger daughter’s Girl Scout troop.
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Aisha Heath, CFRE
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As the Director of Development, Aisha is responsible for increasing funds for programs, research, and advocacy, with a specific emphasis on diversifying, increasing, and sustaining support from individuals, corporations and foundations.
Aisha has devoted her professional career to raising awareness and resources for national organizations supporting the health and well-being of children and families. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over 12 years, fundraising for a variety of notable causes such as Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Rebuilding Together USA and AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families. Prior to joining HA, Aisha served as Director of Development at the AIDS Alliance, working closely with industry and community members to support families affected by HIV.
Aisha holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Howard University and will complete her Masters in Public Administration this year from American University. She is a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals and Certified Fund Raising Executives International. Outside of work, Aisha enjoys volunteering, traveling and dining out with friends.
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Karima Roumila, MPH
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Karima has been with the Hydrocephalus Association since 2007. As the Director of Support and Education, she focuses on direct support for individuals no matter what the stage or age of the diagnosis: pre-natal, pediatric, young to middle aged and older adults diagnosed with NPH. She is a passionate advocate for the disadvantaged and a strong believer in patient education. Her goal is to reach out to as many communities and individuals faced with the challenges of hydrocephalus and make sure HA’s resources are available and accessible to everyone.
Karima also serves as the liaison for the Medical Advisory Board, writes for the Pathways newsletter, coordinates the development of new educational materials, manages the scholarships program as well as plans our national conferences on hydrocephalus. She keeps abreast with hydrocephalus news by attending medical conferences and by familiarizing herself with the published articles on hydrocephalus.
She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Biology from Rutgers University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
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Michael Ticzon
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As the Special Events Coordinator, Michael manages all operations dealing with the administration and implementation of 36+ nationwide WALKs and other fundraising events. Prior to joining HA, Michael exerted his creative and event planning strengths during several internships at organizations that include Townhall.com and the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. From designing invites to coordinating national conferences, he has handled a plethora of logistical details while dealing with a vast range of people. Michael has also devoted his spare time during school to volunteering for many service and charitable groups like Alpha Phi Omega, Habitat for Humanity, Music Ministry, and the American Institute of Architecture Students.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a minor in English Language & Literature from the Catholic University of America. He enjoys traveling, running, and dining out. When not working in the office, he is usually still writing in his planner and thinking about some next event!
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Amy Weist
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As the Business Manager, Amy oversees business operations and finance management for HA. Amy joined HA part-time in May and assisted with planning and logistics of the 12th Annual National Conference on Hydrocephalus in Bethesda, MD. Prior to joining HA, she served as Project Director at Vetted Solutions, an executive search firm specializing in association and nonprofit recruiting and consulting.
Amy worked for 10 years at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Throughout her tenure she worked closely with the boards, committees, chapters, members and staff of this 5,000+ -member hospitality association. Prior to her tenure at GBTA, Amy served as a coordinator and assistant with Communities in Schools, where she managed projects, interacted with board members, organized the national conference, and helped Communities in Schools with its day-to-day operations. Amy also worked for six years in the White House’s Office of Presidential Personnel where she organized daily briefings, receptions, and helped initiate personnel searches, clearances, and background checks.
Amy holds an Associate’s Degree from the McCann School of Business and Technology in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives.
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Ashly Westrick
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As the Research Programs Manager, Ashly is responsible for planning, managing, implementing and evaluating all aspects of the research programs for the Hydrocephalus Association (HA).
Ashly has a diverse background in research including laboratory and public health research. Prior to joining HA, Ashly worked as a research assistant in the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and The Children’s Hospital of Alabama. After graduating, she completed a year-long fellowship with the US Army Public Health Command Injury Prevention Program conducting injury surveillance among basic recruits.
Ashly holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and traveling.
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Jessica Ford
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As the HA Intern, Jessica assists in a wide range of tasks, primarily working with the Communications and Development departments. Diagnosed with hydrocephalus at age 16, she is passionate about promoting awareness about the condition.
Jessica will graduate in May with a BA in Psychology from the Catholic University of America. She has been actively involved in a variety of leadership organizations on campus. She has worked for three years with the student Orientation program, serves as co-coordinator of the Psychology Peer Mentors program, and is Vice President of Psi Chi (the International Honor Society in Psychology). Some of her past volunteer experiences include building with Habitat for Humanity and going on morning jogs with the homeless populations of Washington, DC through a program called “Back on My Feet.” Her experience as a Research Assistant in a sport psychology lab and her background as an athlete have brought her to the next step in her career. Jessica will be attending graduate school in the fall in a Sport and Exercise Psychology Ph.D. program.
In her free time she enjoys running marathons, watching improv comedy, and singing with her collegiate a cappella group “Redline A Cappella”.
