In My Community

The office hours for the National Capital Area American Diabetes Association office are:

• Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday – Closed

To reach staff members by phone, please call 202-331-8303. Wait for the prompt and then enter the appropriate extension listed below. You are also welcome to email staff with any questions or comments you may have.

Staff

Mary Merritt
Executive Director

"Working at the American Diabetes Association, I have listened to parents with children with the disease, talked with amputees who have lost limbs as a result of their illness, celebrated with those who have learned to manage their daily lives and met with people who are trying to prevent it. I have looked into the eyes of children understanding that if we don't do something now, 1 in 3 of them will develop diabetes in their lifetime. My job is to raise funds to support research awareness and advocacy efforts. I encourage everyone to help change the future and to share, act, learn and give to help Stop diabetes."

Contact Mary at mmerritt@diabetes.org or ext. 4524.

Stephanie Rogers
Director of Special Events
Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes® and Tour de Cure®

"When I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 10, the American Diabetes Association was the leading resource for me. I participated in fund-raising events, subscribed to the magazine and my mother participated in the Community Campaign. When I was looking for a career in fund-raising and event planning, I wanted to work for an organization whose mission I supported and whose work makes an impact. Now that is exactly what I do. I not only have the opportunity to plan and execute fund-raising events, but I am also able to highlight and promote the work of the thousands of employees and volunteers that make the Association the leader in diabetes research, information and advocacy. It is an honor to represent the Association in our community: working with volunteers, introducing people to the important work that we do and inspiring more people to join in the fight against diabetes."

Contact Stephanie at strogers@diabetes.org or ext. 4533.

Patricia Kearns
Director of Development

"I lost my uncle and cousin to complications from type 1 diabetes. I also know how devastating this disease can be. I know that the majority of donors want to know that their hard-earned dollars are really going to make a difference. They are. An impressive 76% of funds raised for the American Diabetes Association go directly to support research, advocacy and services for people affected by diabetes. That is why I can say I'm proud to be the Director of Development, raising funds by developing strategic business partnership and acquiring sponsorships for our major events."

Contact Pat at pkearns@diabetes.org or ext. 4538.

Tiffany Ingram
Director, Strategic Programs & Mission Delivery

"I am very passionate about helping others in need. This has always been a personal goal of mine. Like many people, I have family members with diabetes. Working at the American Diabetes Association allows me to continue my passion of helping others. Our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. I strive to fulfill our mission on a daily basis!"

Contact Tiffany at tingram@diabetes.org or ext. 4540.

Lenisa O'Reggio
Associate Manager, Administration
Community Health Fairs Coordinator

"My mom and best friend have diabetes. When my mother was diagnosed, I searched the internet looking for information on diabetes and found the American Diabetes Association. I started working here soon after and have been a coordinator for the DC office almost three years now. It has been a great experience."

Contact Lenisa at loreggio@diabetes.org or ext. 4535.

Nahome Mazengia
Manager, Special Events and Fundraising
Volunteer Coordinator

"On August 15, 2010, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Once I did my research on the history of the disease and how many people have been affected, I knew I had to work to fight it. My passion to want to Stop Diabetes has brought me to work for this fantastic organization. My goal with the Association is to bring awareness to people in the National Capital Area of what diabetes is and how dangerous it could be. My goal is to raise enough funds over time and find a cure to this terrible disease."

Contact Nahome at nmazengia@diabetes.org or ext. 4529.

Cheryl Smith
Associate Director, Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®

"Growing up in a culture where fried and fatty foods are the norm, it was very hard to eat healthy. Both my father and mother have type 2 diabetes so now that I am older, I have made an effort to eat healthier and encourage my sons to do the same to Stop Diabetes in my family. Working for the American Diabetes Association gives me a since of pride and purpose. I am not only raising funds that will help millions of Americans who have diabetes but I am also contributing to the efforts to prevent others from getting this devastating disease. Diabetes stops here!"

Contact Cheryl at csmith@diabetes.org or ext. 4531.

Michelle Plyem
Manager, Northern Virginia Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®

"I have a very personal and professional connection with diabetes. While I recently joined the American Diabetes Association team, I worked for the JDRF Capitol Chapter for three years. I have dedicated myself to doing everything I can to not only find a cure, but improve the lives of those living with diabetes. I learned about diabetes in high school, watching my friend Kelly deal with type one diabetes, the highs, lows, meal planning and just trying to feel like a normal teenager. Later on, I saw many family members, including my Dad, deal with diagnosis of type two diabetes, managing the disease and dealing with the scary and frustrating complications. Like anyone that has been touched by diabetes, I want to Stop Diabetes."

Contact Michelle at mplyem@diabetes.org or ext. 4514.

Position Open
Manager, National Capital Area Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®

In interim contact Cheryl Smith at csmith@diabetes.org.

Kim Cameron
Associate Director, National Capital Area Tour de Cure®

"My father has had diabetes for 10 years now and my in-laws have diabetes as well. This leaves myself, my husband and children at a predisposition to acquire the disease. So I am committed to the endless possibilities of working collectively and directly to reach each person affected by diabetes. I value the opportunity to spread the health message about diabetes prevention and management through working for the American Diabetes Association."

Contact Kim at kcameron@diabetes.org or ext. 4532.

Allison Wolkin
Manager, National Capital Tour de Cure®

"Diabetes is something that runs in my family. Sadly, I lost my grandmother to complications from diabetes. Seeing the increasing rate of people living with diabetes, I want to do my part to help find a cure and prevent future generations from dealing with this condition. With the American Diabetes Association I have met countless inspirational people who overcome the challenges of living with diabetes every day. I hope to empower individuals to cycle a little further and become their own best advocates."

Contact Allison at awolkin@diabetes.orgor ext. 4537.

Zahra Jilani
Associate Director, DC Tour de Cure®, America's Ride to Stop Diabetes

"The Association’s mission approaches diabetes from every angle – prevention, education, advocacy, management and research. I am constantly inspired by the incredibly strong children and adults who live with diabetes. They are the reason I come to work every day. My job is to raise funds to support the efforts of the Association and to motivate people to join the fight to stop diabetes. I really feel that it is possible to make a difference here and am constantly grateful to be working for an organization that is doing so much for the community."

Contact Zahra at zjilani@diabetes.org or ext. 4518.

Benjamin Chase
Manager, Online Fundraising and Engagement

"I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 10. At the time, I had no idea what was going on. At the hospital I learned about the American Diabetes Association and its work to improve the lives of those living with diabetes. We got to know the people at our local Association office, who were all very supportive. Later that year my family and I joined the Ridgewood (now Franklin Lakes) Walk Committee. Working with the American Diabetes Association, allows me to give back to the organization that has helped me so much. While I hope to pay my experience with the Association forward to other diabetics, I would prefer to see diabetes eradicated."

Contact Ben at bchase@diabetes.org or ext. 4541.