Dr. Suzanne (Sue) Bruhn | she/her
Chief Executive Officer
Sue has dedicated her career to patient-focused drug development for the treatment of rare diseases. She’s had a long career in biotech, and seen multiple products advance from research through clinical development and launch onto the commercial market. She believes deeply in the power that patient communities bring to the development process, and is excited to join the largest philanthropic funder of CMT research, and the provider of the most CMT patient services in the world.
Sue is a scientist by training, with a degree in Chemistry from Iowa State University, and a PhD from MIT. Prior to joining the CMTA, she had numerous executive leadership roles in pharma and biotech companies, including being a CEO multiple times.
In her free time, she loves reading, and is always looking for good book recommendations. She also enjoys travel, especially to visit her two adult sons. Sue lives in New Hampshire with her husband Mike and their dog Brady.
Dr. Katherine Forsey | she/her
Chief Research Officer
Katherine oversees the CMTA’s Strategy to Accelerate Research (STAR) and STAR Advisory Board, a group of 30 of the world’s leading CMT clinicians and scientists charged with shaping and delivering the CMTA’s research strategies. The CMTA currently has more than 50 active research projects, including sponsored research grants with academic labs and pre-clinical testing studies with biotech/pharma Alliance Partners. Katherine also curates the CMTA’s Patients as Partners in Research initiative, which connects the CMT community with opportunities to get involved in CMT research and increase the body of CMT knowledge.
Katherine is a research biologist by training. She completed her PhD and BSc in the UK at the University of York. She also spent time at the University of Cambridge, at the Veterinary Research Institute in the Czech Republic and at Syngenta working on genetic toxicology.
Before joining the CMTA in 2022, Katherine worked in several senior roles in the science, education, and translation sectors. In addition, she worked with industry and academia and led a thriving consulting business. Katherine is based in Yorkshire, England, where she is expanding the CMTA’s footprint by developing and strengthening collaborations with research partners and patient advocacy groups worldwide. CMT affects four generations of her family.
Cassidy Miller, MHSA | she/her
Research Project Manager
Cassidy provides administrative support for CMTA’s research pillar, which includes our Strategy To Accelerate Research (STAR) funded projects, STAR Advisory Board and Patients as Partners in Research, alongside our preclinical program with CMTA Alliance Partners. She works under the supervision of the Chief Research Officer, to ensure the smooth operation of all research efforts. Cassidy earned her MBA in Health Services Administration with a minor in Nutrition and Dietetics from Marywood University in 2021.
Cassidy was introduced to the CMTA in 2018 through her childhood friend and stepped forward as a volunteer counselor for Camp Footprint, where she is now a long-standing Cabin Captain. It was through Camp Footprint that Cassidy developed her love and adoration for the CMT community and passion for the CMTA’s mission. Prior to joining the CMTA staff team, Cassidy worked at a pathology laboratory where she served as the office’s administrative assistant and healthcare services coordinator. Joining CMTA has provided Cassidy with an opportunity to develop her career in a way that better aligns her professional skills with her core values. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, she now resides in Scranton, PA. In her free time, Cassidy loves traveling to see friends and family, spending time with her dog, Gabby, road trips, exploring new cities, and enjoying the little things in every day.
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.
Nicole Hudson | she/her
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 and a son Artie Marty the one man Party. In his spare time, he loves writing, music, travel, pizza, his dog Banjo, and getting the most out of this wonderful life!
Erin Weierbach | she/her
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 | she/her
Director of Technology
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. 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.”
Chris Cosentino | he/him
Director of Marketing
Throughout his career, Chris has implemented strategic plans resulting in unprecedented funds and awareness for some of the most respected organizations in the country. With more than fifteen years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Chris is excited to use his skills to support the global CMT community.
Chris holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Hofstra University, where he also minored in Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies. Born and raised in New York City, Chris and his family now call North Carolina home. He is a two-time national championship collegiate ice hockey coach and has coached at all levels from the NHL to local youth hockey. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, and watching his daughter’s basketball games.
Sarah Wilson (Kaider) | she/her
Digital Marketing Manager
Sarah is responsible for the digital marketing footprint of CMTA, including social media, email marketing, and website. Sarah was introduced to CMT through her husband, 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 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 husband play the drums on stage, streaming videogame playthroughs on Twitch, and spending time with her dog Theo.
Kenny Raymond | he/him
Head of Communications
Kenny was diagnosed with CMT1A in 2002 at 29 years old, after many years of trying to figure out what was going on. He has since dedicated his life to studying CMT and developing a unique way of communicating all things CMT to the patient, healthcare, research, and biopharma/biotech communities.
Kenny is an author, respected advocate, and trusted member of the patient community who continually learns and grows his expertise. He now brings to the CMTA his extensive CMT knowledge and his ability to connect with the community we so proudly serve. Kenny’s passion for understanding this disease and his dedication to improving the lives of those who are living with CMT remains as strong as ever. His passion for CMT genetics has led him to pursue an MS degree in genetics from Arizona State University.