Middletown Woman Named Non-Profit's Development Director

From Alzheimer's Association, Rhode Island Chapter: The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Association has been recognized as a top large nonprofit to work for by The NonProfit Times, the leading information provider for the nonprofit sector for seven consecutive years.

As the need for our services grows, so is our team, to better meet those needs. We are delighted to welcome two exceptional professionals to our staff. They have joined the Association at an exciting time of growth and opportunity. The Association is on the front line in the battle against Alzheimer’s

KATE SPINELLA

Kate is our new Development Director. Kate spent the past fifteen years in non-profit fundraising and management. A native Rhode Islander, most recently she held the position of Executive Director of the Matty Fund for Epilepsy. In the beginning of 2017, she was instrumental in merging The Matty Fund with the regional affiliate of the national Epilepsy Foundation. Kate served as Epilepsy Foundation New England’s Director of Special Projects and Initiatives in Wilmington, MA, before returning to Rhode Island and joining the Alzheimer’s Association. She spent ten years on the board of Newport’s Island Moving Company and served as its Chair for two of those years. She currently serves on the development committee of the Classical High School Alumni Association. Kate lives with her husband Frank in Middletown, RI and is a mother of two grown daughters. She is an adopter of rescued animals, avid skier, golfer, reader and crossword aficionado.

AMARYHA BRYAN

Amaryha joins our team as Office Manager. Amaryha is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management at New England Institute of Technology. She is a member of the Society for Advancement of Management, New England Tech Chapter. The mission of this non-profit professional society is to dedicate time to the study and practice of management. Amaryha can be found reading, writing, drawing, and hiking. She focuses on healthy cooking and eating!

MICHELLE LA FRANCE

Michelle is celebrating two and a half years with the Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter. Formerly the Office Manager, Michelle has recently been promoted to Public Policy and Public Relations Specialist for the chapter. Michelle was driven to the Alzheimer’s Association because the cause is personal to her as her dad suffers from Fronto-Temporal Dementia. Michelle enjoys the opportunity to help caregivers as a Powerful Tools for Caregivers Master Trainer and looks forward to advocating for those with the disease and their caregivers in her new role. Michelle graduated from Providence College, class of 2014, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Policy and Management, and a minor in Theology. She continues to pursue her education through Southern New Hampshire University’s online Master of Business Administration program with a concentration in Public Administration and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is also a certified Vinyasa Yoga Instructor and enjoys music and nature.

We are excited to expand our reach and change the future of Alzheimer’s right here in Rhode Island to the 23,000 individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias and their 53,000 family caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease is relentless, but so are we.

Photos courtesy of Alzheimer's Association, Rhode Island Chapter