learning center
Staff
Our Mission MSA staff is a dedicated team driving progress in multiple system atrophy. From cutting-edge research and medical education to strategic fundraising, seamless operations, and impactful marketing, they unite to support those affected, fostering hope, and advancing understanding.
Meet Joe, Chief Executive Officer of Mission MSA. Joe has served as CEO since joining the organization in 2022. As CEO, Joe leads the organization’s operations, strategy, and partnerships to advance the organization’s mission and vision. Joe is an active advocate and spokesperson for those affected by MSA and is driven to support the current and future needs of patients, care partners, community members, healthcare professionals, and aligned organizations. Before joining the Mission MSA team, Joe was Executive Director for the International Transplant Nurses Society and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and has held leadership roles with the National Association of Neonatal Nurses and the American Staffing Association. An organizational and governance enthusiast, Joe is an active volunteer leader within the nonprofit and association industry. Joe is a Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) alumnus, a Forty Under 40 Award recipient from Association Forum, and earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 2018.
Meet our Director of Development, Elizabeth Turcza! A career business and nonprofit development professional, Elizabeth joined Mission MSA in April 2022 with a focus on growing Mission MSA’s donor audience, championing its existing supporters, and building out a corporate partnership program. During Elizabeth’s time with Mission MSA, she’s grown the Circle of Hope end of year fundraising campaign, developed “Clinical Trial Round Up” showcases with pharma partners, and enjoyed getting to know donors, companies, and organizations both big and small that contribute to Mission MSA’s ability to do its valuable work. A proponent of communication, collaboration, and connection, Elizabeth sees every day as a day closer to curing MSA.
Meet Jessie, our Director of Research and Medical Education. Jessie is committed to strengthening collaboration in MSA research and improving the care those impacted by MSA receive across the globe. With a background in biomedical neuroscience and neurodegenerative clinical/translational research, Jessie brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and compassion to Mission MSA.
Since joining the team in June 2023, Jessie has led initiatives such as the MSA Centers of Excellence program, International MSA Congress, CURE-MSA grant program, and Seed Grant program. Jessie also serves on PCORI’s Rare Diseases Advisory Panel, bringing a patient-centered perspective to national research efforts.
While actively working to connect scientific progress with real-world patient care, Jessie also oversees educational efforts, partners with clinicians and researchers, and supports projects designed to better understand MSA, enhance collaborative care, and improve quality of life for individuals with MSA.
What drives Jessie most is empowering both patients and professionals. Jessie is passionate about making reliable information accessible, supporting patient-centered scientific collaboration, and building a stronger, more informed MSA community. Through her efforts, Jessie strives to ensure Mission MSA remains at the forefront of advancements in research, education, advocacy, and support.
Meet Lauren King, our Patient Support Services Manager. Lauren is a social worker who advocates for and assists individuals needing support. Thrilled to be part of our team at Mission MSA, Lauren serves as the primary contact for Mission MSA’s patient support services work, including management of the support line, creation, and maintenance of MSA patient and community focused educational resources, peer support groups, and providing hands-on guidance to help those affected by MSA. Lauren has a passion for supporting patients and their care partners as they navigate their MSA journey.
Meet Jess, our Marketing and Communications Manager. Since joining Mission MSA in August 2023, she has focused on strengthening awareness, connection, and clarity across the MSA community. With a people-first mindset, she leads Mission MSA’s marketing and communication efforts, ensuring that everything we share is thoughtful, accessible, and grounded in the real experiences of those affected by MSA.
In addition to her core communications work, Jess helps guide the creative direction and brand identity for Mission MSA’s initiatives. This includes supporting the development of visual assets, campaign concepts, and design elements that bring our mission to life and create a consistent, recognizable presence across all platforms and mediums.
What drives Jess most is helping people feel supported, understood, and connected through Mission MSA’s work. She believes in the power of purposeful messaging and thoughtful design to bring people together and strengthen the community at every stage of the MSA journey.
Meet Ella, our Volunteer Engagement and Operations Coordinator. Ella comes to us with a passion for helping individuals and communities engage with nonprofit work, seeking to help them become champions for the causes that are important to them. Ella is responsible for managing a lot of Mission MSA’s behind-the-scenes processes, engaging with Mission MSA’s community through our email inbox, phone line, MSA Connect, and various other channels. She assists with managing our team of dedicated volunteers, planning and executing events, and carrying out various operational tasks. Ella loves getting to support the incredible community fostered by Mission MSA!
Meet Ella, our Volunteer Engagement and Operations Coordinator. Ella comes to us with a passion for helping individuals and communities engage with nonprofit work, seeking to help them become champions for the causes that are important to them. Ella is responsible for managing a lot of Mission MSA’s behind-the-scenes processes, engaging with Mission MSA’s community through our email inbox, phone line, MSA Connect, and various other channels. She assists with managing our team of dedicated volunteers, planning and executing events, and carrying out various operational tasks. Ella loves getting to support the incredible community fostered by Mission MSA!
Meet Mario Centeio, Mission MSA’s Fundraising Coordinator, who is dedicated to connecting with Mission MSA’s donors, developing strategies, and being a team advocate for Mission MSA’s work. With his background in Communications and his prior role in donor relations with the Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, Mario will help lead our fundraising efforts by bringing in new donors, building relationships with existing supporters, and working with our community. His passion is to uplift the lives of the people around him and help raise awareness for MSA.