The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition is pleased to announce Sheila Lyons as Executive Director. Lyons will lead the professional staff and work with the MSA Coalition Board of Directors to support the Coalition’s mission to improve the quality of life and build hope for people affected by MSA. Lyons will provide strategic and operational oversight for the MSA Coalition’s programs and services, such as educational programming, support services, advocacy, public relations, fundraising, and donor support.
“The MSA Coalition is happy to welcome Sheila Lyons as our first Executive Director. Since partnering with MCI and professional staff in July, we have worked to identify the best candidate to serve as the MSA Coalition’s first executive director,” said Cyndi Roemer, Chair, Board of Directors, The MSA Coalition. “Sheila has the strong background in non-profit management that will help the MSA Coalition enhance and expand our key services and programs. But just as important, she also has the heart and compassion that will enable her to meet the needs of our patient and care partner community.”
Lyons has more than 20 years of extensive non-profit experience as well as strategic, fundraising and financial leadership. She most recently served as Executive Director of Apollo, where she led the Chicago arts organization through a strategic planning process that revitalized the 147-year-old organization. She previously launched an Associate’s Degree in Entrepreneurship at City Colleges of Chicago, and served as the first executive director at the Triad Entrepreneurial Initiative.
“I am honored to be selected for this opportunity to work with the Board of the MSA Coalition who have demonstrated such leadership and vision. This is an extraordinary opportunity to blaze new pathways that can improve the quality of life and build hope for people affected with MSA and their care partners,” commented Sheila Lyons, Executive Director, The MSA Coalition.