2022 Board of Directors


President: Don Peasley

Don joined the Michigan Board in May of 2016. His wife received a positive diagnosis in 2013, but in advance of that, he began attending the Royal Oak support group as a way to prepare himself and his family for the journey ahead. Don is a big believer in providing resources that benefit the entire family, patients and caregivers and that HDSA is the best platform available to raise awareness and connect people in the State of Michigan affected by HD.

As a yoga instructor who knows the benefits that the practice provides, Don hosts our annual HDSA Yoga in the Park event, which has raised over $50,000 for the Chapter.


Vice President: David Stickles

Dave graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Industrial Chemistry Technology, and worked at Dow Corning Corporation for 32 years. His best friend Roger was diagnosed with HD in 1996, and Dave became his primary caregiver until he passed away from complications from HD in 2002.  Roger lost a daughter to JHD at the age of 14, along with many other family members, and he has family who are currently at risk. He has 3 grandchildren who thanks to IVF are not at risk. Dave has served on the board of HDSA Michigan Chapter since 2000, and was President for 10 years. He published the HDSA Michigan Chapter newsletter from 2004-2016, and maintained the  chapter website from 2004 -2015. He currently leads the Tri-Cities Support Group in Saginaw MI and lives in Midland MI.


Treasurer: Chris Gerback

Secretary: Chelsea Rink

Chelsea has been involved with HDSA since 2012, in a variety of roles on the Michigan Chapter Board. She founded the West Michigan Team Hope Walk & 5K in 2012 and coordinates the Michigan Chapter education conference. Chelsea became passionate about making a difference in the field of long term care, after personally experiencing the challenges of securing long term care options for her grandmother with HD. Chelsea obtained her Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration from Grand Valley State University in 2016 and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. She is currently the Regional Director of Operations overseeing seven nursing homes in West Michigan.


Development Lead: Michael Silverstein

Michael is a proud University of Michigan graduate and after a career in sales and marketing, changed his focus to non-profit fundraising. He joined the Board at the start of 2020, and for the past 10 years has been working formally (Jewish Vocational Services, Oakland University Business School, Wayne State University Law School) and informally (with organizations like HDSA for the past 2 years) to raise funding for non-profits and their needs. 

After meeting the HDSA team at the Yoga in the Park and Drag Queen bingo events, he learned about Huntington's Disease and the important work that the organization does at a variety of levels and services. Michael will be bringing his expertise to the variety of fundraising activities that are already happening each year. “It is my honor to join this Board and learn from all of you, while hopefully helping to increase the fundraising results in 2020.” 


Chapter Administrator: Katie Sullivan 

Katie joined the board as Chapter Admin in 2019. She has a bachelors degree in business management and currently works at a financial advising firm. She has been involved with HDSA in various capacities for as long as she can remember. From growing up watching her parents host fundraisers and supports groups for HD to being a founding member of the Lansing Team Hope Walk committee and attending support groups and education conferences herself. Katie lives in the Lansing area with her husband, daughter and 3 dogs. 


Family Services Lead: Andrea Brent, MA, LLP

Andrea is a psychotherapist in the Southeast Metro-Detroit area. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from Central Michigan University in 2006. During this time, she learned about Huntington’s Disease and worked in Dr. Gary Dunbar’s research laboratory to discover treatments for HD. In 2016, she earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology working with persons with traumatic brain injury, learning disorders, and developmental disabilities. Andrea facilitates the Royal Oak support group to improve the lives of patients and families impacted by HD and has presented on self-care for caregivers at the HDSA Michigan State Education Conference since 2018. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program with a dissertation focused on interventions to effectively support caregivers within the HD community.


Communications Lead: Cassidy Boers

Cassidy joined the Board in 2020 as communications lead, and has been a part of the HD community for several years. She has served as a committee member for the Southwest MI Team Hope Walk/5K for the last five years. Cassidy has spent several years as a member of the National Youth Alliance and has also attended multiple national conventions. Additionally, she is an advocate for HD research, participating in numerous studies to help find a cure for HD. After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Accounting and Finance, she accepted a position as a Business Analyst at a local bank.


Volunteer Development Leads: Eric Brown & Moira Morgan

Eric Joined the Board in 2019. Professionally, he has enjoyed a career in medical device sales and sales management for over 25 years. Currently, he represents a company that creates high quality surgical models and trainers for Medical Device clients. Eric earned a Masters of Science degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. in 1993 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. in 1986. He has a lovely daughter Amy who is 18 years old. His dearest friend Moira Morgan's ex-husband was diagnosed with HD approximately 6 years ago and Eric’s goal is to help make a difference by working with our Chapter Team to drive involvement and volunteerism as we grow our fundraising efforts.


NYA Representative: Shelby Lentz

Shelby joined the board in November of 2018. Shelby is the fourth member of her family to receive a positive HD diagnosis. She began going to support groups and educational seminars and was excited for the opportunity to join the board to help bring a positive impact to the HD community, specifically its youth. With her degree in public relations, she hopes to use these skills to bring more awareness to the disease and offer more support to those who are affected.



Chapter Social Worker

Stephanie Forbes

Stephanie Forbes joined HDSA as the chapter social worker in November of 2016.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Ferris State University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work at Michigan State University. She has worked in many different capacities within the health care field.  This includes past experience as a social worker at long term care/skilled nursing facilities and hospice care. While in school she gained her field experience through an internship a long side a clinical social worker at an outpatient cancer center. Although her own family is not at risk from HD, she has experience working with people who have had Huntington’s Disease. She feels honored to join our HD community and help families navigate this journey.
Email: sforbes@HDSA.org
Phone: (989)948-2089



HDSA Regional Development Officers

Peggy Cribbin
3286 Ivanhoe Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63139
p. (314) 293-4359
pcribbin@hdsa.org

Camille Colletti
P.O. BOX 477
Mukwonago, WI 53149
P. (847) 849-0680
ccolletti@hdsa.org



The Huntington's Disease Society of America, Michigan Chapter and its Support Groups are a fellowship of relatives, friends and persons with HD, who share their experiences, strengths and hopes in order to solve common problems. We believe Huntington's Disease is a family illness that changed attitudes in addition to support can aid in living each day to its fullest!

This chapter and its Support Groups are not allied with any political entity or institution. We do not discriminate against anyone regardless of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, handicap, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.

We are self supporting through voluntary contributions, fund raisers and financial grants.

HDSA and our Michigan Chapter are dedicated to finding a cure and treatment for HD through research, patient and family services, education, and community services.

 
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