Jon Pastor

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Jon, who has a multi-generation family history of CMT 1A, joined the CMTA to help accelerate finding treatments for CMT and to continue the building of a strong patient community. He is honored to join an organization that is doing so much for patients, as well as aggressively and efficiently deploying resources to advance research.

Professionally, Jon is an entrepreneur and software executive who, most recently, was the Chief Product Officer of RealPage, a publicly-traded multifamily real estate software company. Prior to that, Jon was a startup founder, who sold his company to RealPage. He began his career at McKinsey & Company, where he led consulting teams focused on both operations improvement and growth strategies at Fortune 500 companies. Jon has a BA in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He and his wife Marni live in Pittsburgh, PA and have a daughter and a son.

Dr. Katherine Forsey

Chief Research Officer

Katherine brings a rich and varied portfolio of work experience to the CMTA with specialisms in science communication, education and programme leadership. Following her PhD in 2007, Katherine led the creation and growth of a new education and outreach programme at the Yorkshire Arboretum, managing a large team of volunteers to support thousands of children to experience science in a woodland environment. She also established her part-time freelance consultancy business to support other non-profit and commercial organisations to develop their provision and resources. Katherine worked for the Association for Science Education, the UK’s largest subject association, leading their provision across the north of England and promoting excellence in science teaching and learning. In 2012, Katherine moved on to lead a programme at the UK’s National STEM Learning Centre, working with over 70 Higher Education Institutions to provide professional development and networks for their technical specialists. In 2017, Katherine took her growing freelance consultancy business full time, working with industry, education providers and non-profits, leading development programmes, providing professional development and acting as a liaison between research, education and commercial stakeholders.

Katherine is a research biologist by training and holds a doctorate in Biology from the University of York in the area of expression, activity and localisation of metabolic enzymes during preimplantation embryo development. During her industry funded PhD, she spent time at the University of Cambridge, UK in Sygen sponsored research laboratories and at the Veterinary Research Institute, Burno Czech Republic. Katherine also gained her BSc Hons. in Molecular Cell Biology from the University of York. During her undergraduate degree, she completed a year in industry undertaking a genetic toxicology research project at Syngenta to develop in vitro alternative assays.

Dr. Forsey and members of her family live with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A. She lives in Yorkshire, England with her husband and two children, making her the CMTA’s only international staff member. The CMTA is excited about the opportunity working with Dr. Forsey brings to expand its footprint with industry and researchers worldwide.

Kim Magee

Director of Finance and Administration

Kim has the distinction of being the CMTA’s longest-serving employee. She started at what was then a three-person operation in 2007 and today still describes herself as the “CMTA Office.” Kim handles all things financial—donations, grants, accounting—and administrative, including HR. She earned an AA in accounting from Keystone Business School and a BA in accounting from Neumann University. She began her career keeping books for small companies in 1987, computerizing their office and accounting systems and found the variety kept the job interesting. The CMTA was Kim’s first non-profit accounting job and she earned her Certification in Non-Profit Accounting (CNAP) in 2013.

When Kim isn’t counting money, she’s counting stitches: She has made and given away two dozen afghans in the last couple of years and is looking into making them for families in shelters or kids in need. “I hope that people can feel the love and positive thoughts that I put into my afghans and it makes them feel loved and cared for,” she says. Kim, her husband and two grown kids live in the Philadelphia area.

Jeana Sweeney

Chief Engagement and Gift Officer

Jeana was diagnosed with CMT at the age of 14 and has dedicated her entire professional life to the CMTA community and finding treatments for her daughter and all those who live with CMT. She started out as a volunteer in 2001 and in 2008 she became the director of community services, a position she held for nine years. During that time, she expanded the national branch system, developed Patient/Family conferences, created the successful Walk 4 CMT fundraising program, helped start Camp Footprint, led Awareness Month initiatives and built out the grassroots fundraising campaigns for community/branch leaders.

Jeana was named development director in June 2018. In this role, she spearheads the numerous opportunities for donors, board members, corporate sponsors and pharmaceutical companies to support the mission of the CMTA. She also created the Legacy Society and expanded the Innervators Monthly Giving program. In her spare time, Jeana loves to put on her waders, grab her fishing rod and hit the river to fish for smallmouth bass. The Zara Puppy is her favorite lure.

Molly McLearn Fernandes

Engagement Event Specialist

Molly’s youngest daughter, Quinn, was diagnosed with CMT1B in 2019. Since then, Molly has dedicated herself to fundraising for research to find a cure for CMT. Molly comes to the CMTA with 20+ years of experience working with associations and nonprofits to grow membership and events. She most recently served as the Director of Marketing with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Prior to this, Molly worked for the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), producer of the International CES, the largest and most influential tech event in the world. Molly thrives on identifying ways to work cohesively as a team to present the association effectively to support the mission and achieve results. She believes in the power of great content to create awareness and bridge the gap between learning and action.

With experience in strategic marketing and brand management, along with an innate passion for creativity, she looks forward to contributing her professional experience to this very personal quest to find a cure. Molly has a BA in Government & Politics and Spanish Language from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MS in Marketing from The Johns Hopkins University. She lives with her husband and four daughters in Vienna, VA.

Nicole Hudson

Development Specialist

Nicole Hudson feels joining the CMTA team is a real full circle moment in her life. It was being diagnosed with CMT at 15 that put her on a path to a career working with nonprofits. She graduated from Rider University in 2004, with a singular focus of creating a life focused on helping others. Since then, she has worked at the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey, Semple Bixel Associates, Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss and Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. She is so grateful and proud to now work with the CMTA, towards a mission that is so personal and inspired her whole career trajectory. Nicole received her CFRE in 2015 and her Master of Public Administration from Villanova University in 2017. Nicole also co-founded and ran a non-profit organization from 2007-2014 called Team Charity. Team Charity was a movement to advance philanthropic efforts amongst young professionals. Nicole served on the board of directors for the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for two years.

Her favorite and most anticipated role in life has been becoming the mother of Evangeline and Liliana. She enjoys dance parties in the kitchen with her daughters; spending time with her friends and family; traveling, theatre (a former performer and now an avid audience member), reading, scrapbooking, music, puzzles, Pilates, and baking. She lives happily in New Jersey with her wonderful husband, Steve, and their two beautiful daughters.

Mary Louie

National Events Manager

Mary was diagnosed with CMTA 2A in her early 20s and became a CMTA community member in 2009 when she attended her first CMTA branch meeting in Portland, ME. In 2013 she answered a call for volunteers from CMTA and became the branch leader for Portland, ME and launched the inaugural Peaks Island Walk4CMT. Prior to joining the CMTA, Mary worked for many years in health care as a coordinator and administrative assistant. When Mary isn’t working on spreading awareness and educating people about CMT through events she can be found with her family enjoying the beautiful state of Maine across all 4 seasons.

Laurel Richardson

Director of Community Outreach

Laurel is responsible for the national branch system, Patient/Family Conferences and Camp Footprint. She also acts as liaison to the CMTA Centers of Excellence and is in charge of the CMTA’s educational materials and website. Laurel earned a degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis from San Diego State University. Before joining the CMTA, she worked as a media account executive for Cox Media and WECT and as a client relations manager/regional media buyer for Right Point Media.

A stay-at-home mother for 10 years, she also held many volunteer leadership positions, including leader of the Wilmington, NC CMTA Branch, communications chair at her church, Parent Teacher Student Organization hospitality chair and command team advisor for 1st Maintenance Battalion at Camp Pendleton. When Laurel can’t sleep in the middle of the night she works on a stand-up comedy routine that she’s not quite sure she’ll ever perform. If she doesn’t become a standup comedian, she’d like to be a dude ranch wrangler and ride horses all day.

Jonah Berger

National Youth Programs Manager

Jonah and several members of his family have CMT 1X. He has dedicated his career to working with kids and adults with disabilities. Jonah served on the CMTA Advisory Board for over 7 years and led the conference youth outings during that time. In addition to his advisory role, Jonah consulted for the CMTA building out the following key youth initiatives: launching and directing Camp Footprint, and assisting to create and develop the first CMTA Youth Council.

Jonah joined the CMTA staff full-time in early 2020 as the National Youth Programs Manager and is thrilled to be serving the CMTA community by working to celebrate and engage the youth. He is married to Megan and they have a beautiful little girl named Amelia Rose who also has CMT. In his spare time, he loves writing, music, travel, pizza, his dog Banjo, and getting the most out of this wonderful life!

Erin Weierbach

Community Programs Specialist

Erin supports community and youth programs through administrative support and her passion for people. Her career has been spent building relationships and helping others form connections to live their best lives! Working to bridge the gaps between service systems and community members, she has empowered families and young people to learn how to use their voice and experience to access the good things in life. She has also spent the last several years training professionals in the education system on how to better engage students and families in meaningful ways.

Erin was introduced to the CMTA as a volunteer and branch leader more than 10 years ago and has been a staff member with her husband for Camp Footprint since year 1! She has CMT1A, along with her son and several members of her family. When not working to change the world, Erin loves cooking, camping, bike riding and spending time outside with her family.

Sarah Gentry

Technology Manager

Sarah is responsible for the strategic development and advancement of the use of technology and cybersecurity within the CMTA. Sarah was introduced to the CMTA in 2015 and has served in many different roles including camp counselor, branch leader and walk leader for the Tampa Bay Walk-n-Roll. Sarah earned her Master of Science degree in security technology management and her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Sarah has co-authored books on the topics of cyber bullying, cyber stalking and online gaming. Prior to joining the CMTA, Sarah worked as a learning technologist at the University of South Florida assisting faculty, staff, and students with S.T.E.M. initiatives, instructional technology support and other technology support needs throughout the campus, including classroom systems and remote labs. In her spare time, Sarah loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. She believes in the motto, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Sarah Kaider

Digital Marketing Manager

Sarah is responsible for the digital marketing footprint of the CMTA, including social media, email marketing, and website. Sarah was introduced to CMT through her partner, David, a person living with CMT1A. She earned a degree in Mass Communications with tracks in Advertising and Public Relations from Towson University. Before joining the CMTA, Sarah served as the Communications Manager and the Social Media Manager for the Epilepsy Foundation of America. She was responsible for writing copy for and building the Foundation’s newsletter, creating and implementing strategy and campaigns for their national social media accounts, reviewing and editing content for their website, coordinating and producing Facebook Lives and other livestream events, and more. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys writing science fiction and horror novels, crocheting and knitting, watching her partner David play the drums on stage, streaming videogame playthroughs on Twitch, and spending time with her dog Theo and her hedgehog Regulus.