Board of Directors
OFFICERS
DANA GAREL, President
Dana Garel brings 33 years of experience in Marketing, sales, advocacy development and management in the healthcare industry. Dana's commitment to overall healthcare education is the foundation of her skill set. Her career began in 1972 in the advertising department of a moderate size newspaper. In 1985 she transitioned into healthcare with a primary emphasis in Diabetes education and sales. She currently serves as a Senior Public Affairs Liaison for Lilly USA. During her career with Lilly she has had assignments in State Government Affairs, which included building women's health and mental coalitions in the states of California, Oregon and Washington. She was also a Regional Manager with the Public Health Division accountable for managing a team in five states. Dana has served as a board member for the Professional Business Women of California and the California Institute for Mental Wellness. She is currently on the board of NAWHO (National Asian Women's Health Organization) and the Greater Sacramento Urban League. Send email to Dana.
LISA L. MASSI LINDSEY, Ph.D., Vice President
Lisa is leading the evaluation of CDC’s national developmental disabilities campaign “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Also, she is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School and a Visiting Assistant Professor in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. In August 2008, Lisa and her husband had their first (and currently only) child, Sheridan, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome the day after his birth. She joined the DSIA’s Board of Directors to help raise awareness about Down syndrome, and to work on programs that will help to reduce the stigma of Down syndrome. Lisa earned her doctorate from Michigan State University specializing in social influence processes (especially focused on health communication efforts) and research methods and statistics. After she spent time in academia as a tenure-track professor, she was hired by the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where she worked in the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities for three years co-leading a national communication and education program around reproductive health. After working at CDC, Lisa turned her attention to other issues, including working on myriad state and federal public health projects including the Office of Women’s Health “National Bone Health Campaign,” the National Institute of Mental Health’s Science Club for Elementary School Children, and various projects with the University of California, Davis Cancer Center to help reduce cancer disparities. Lisa has served on Boards in the past, including the UC Davis Cancer Center Young Adult and Cancer Advisory Board and the Sacramento State-UC Davis Cancer Center Partnership to Reduce Cancer Disparities. Lisa produces a blog, Genetically Enhanced (http://geneticenhancement.blogspot.com) where she writes about her family’s journey with Sheridan, Down syndrome, and all things related to raising a child with special needs. Send email to Lisa.
ROSALIE FAITH, Secretary
Rosalie has been involved in awareness and advocacy for the past 30 years, serving as a member of national, state and local boards of directors of organizations serving people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Rosalie has served as a board member for the National Down Syndrome Congress and two Area Boards for Disabilities (Area 3 and Area 8). She has also served as chairperson of the Fresno Unified School District Community Advisory Committee for Developmental Disabilities. Rosalie Faith is the mother of five children. One of her sons, Kris (age 31) has Down syndrome.
TREVOR STAPLETON, Treasurer
Trevor Stapleton joined the DSIA Board in 2008 and also serves as the organization’s Treasurer. Trevor and his wife, Julie, are the proud parents of 2 boys, Riley (4) and Joseph (3). Beginning with Joseph’s pre-natal diagnosis, Trevor and his family have and continue to experience the challenges facing a young child with Down syndrome. As a result, Trevor is very passionate about the DSIA’s programs, experiencing firsthand the support and hope the DSIA brings to individuals and families affected by Down syndrome. When not spending time with his family or serving the DSIA, Trevor is a partner with Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt, Gould & Birney, LLP, one of Sacramento’s oldest and most respected law firms, serving the Sacramento Valley region since 1922. Send email to Trevor.
GENERAL MEMBERS
CAMILLA ARNDS
Camilla Arnds joined the DSIA board in April 2009 and currently is the 2009 Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk (formerly called the Buddy Walk) chairperson. Camilla has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has over 24 years of experience in accounting and management, having been a law firm administrator/controller for 20 years. Currently, Camilla is the Director of Human Resources for Downey Brand Attorneys, LLP in Sacramento. Camilla has been a member of the Association of Legal Administrators for 18 years and served on their board in several capacities, including president twice. For many years she was a parent volunteer for religious education and a volunteer lay counselor with her church. Additionally, she has been a Girl Scout Leader and parent volunteer for her children’s tee ball, soccer, softball and Little League teams. Camilla is the parent of four children, three are grown and she has a 12 year old daughter at home who has Down syndrome. She is a dedicated advocate to improving learning and educational opportunities for children with Down syndrome, as well as, quality life skills, living and working conditions for adults with Down syndrome. Send email to Camilla.
STACEY KRSULIC
Stacey Krsulic joined the DSIA board in 2009, bringing with her more than 20 years of sales, training and development, management and community outreach experience. A graduate of Penn State - Behrend, her career began as an outreach coordinator with the Pennsylvania State Senate. She has since enjoyed 15 years with Verizon Wireless in a variety of capacities, currently as Manager of Curriculum Development. Her desire to help others, particularly children, has led to her involvement as a 4-H leader and her children’s various school and athletic activities. Stacey is the mother of 2 children - Nathan 4 and Noah 2 - as well as stepmother to 5, ranging in ages from 17 to 27. Noah has Down syndrome and the family's experiences beginning with his prenatal diagnosis led Stacey to the DSIA, where she has received the information and guidance she needs to ensure Noah's success. Her hope is to give back through serving on the board with the goal of educating the public and the medical community on the joy of those with Down syndrome. Send email to Stacey.
The DSIA is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in serving on the Board. We are currently seeking members with the following interests, expertise and skills: Health care professional Finance/accounting Education/administration Fundraising/development Event coordination For more information contact info@downsyndromeinfo.org.
ADVISORS
JOSEPH PINTER, MD, Medical Advisor
Dr. Pinter is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Oregon Health and Science University. He is board certified in Neurology with special qualifications in Child Neurology. Dr. Pinter completed his pediatric neurology training at Harvard/Boston Children's Hospital and conducted his post-doctoral fellowship in neurology at UC San Francisco. He also served on the faculty of the UC Davis Medical Center and the UC Davis M.I.N.D Institute in Sacramento. Dr. Pinter has clinical interests in general pediatric neurology, congenital brain anomolies, Tourette syndrome and Down syndrome. His research has focused on neuroimaging, and he has published articles chronicling his studies of brain imaging of children with Down syndrome in the American Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology.