Chris Lynch, Acting CEO and Director of Policy, Research, Communications & Publications
Chris is leading ADI as Acting CEO ahead of an incoming CEO taking up the post. He is an international leader in healthcare policy, advocacy, research and communications, with over 30 years’ experience. He has spent the past 14 years in the dementia sector, working at the forefront of global efforts to strengthen policy and health system responses. His work spans national dementia plans, international advocacy, research and awareness.
As Director of Policy, Research, Communications & Publications, Chris leads ADI’s engagement with global bodies including the WHO, UN, G7 and G20, and oversees policy, research and flagship initiatives such as World Alzheimer’s Month and the World Alzheimer Report. He is a member of the WHO Civil Society Working Group for Non-Communicable Diseases.
Diego Aguilar, Regional Director, Americas
Diego works from Argentina as Regional Director for the Americas, leading ADI’s work across the region to support members, advance policy development and strengthen partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations and donors.
In addition to his work at ADI, Diego serves on the board of the Latin American Association for Fundraising Professionals (AEDROS) and supports Fundación León in a non-executive capacity, having previously served as CEO and played a key role in Argentina’s first subnational Dementia Plan.
He has over 20 years’ experience in non-profit management, international cooperation and fundraising. Diego holds a master’s degree in Gender, Society and Policy, as well as postgraduate specialisation in gerontology and a degree in psychology, and has completed executive education in non-profit management at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina and Harvard University.
Robbie Appleton-Sas, Digital Lead
As Digital Lead, Robbie is responsible for ADI’s digital content and platform development, ensuring insights from research, engagement and staff expertise reach ADI’s global network.
He specialises in creative strategy, marketing and capacity building, and is passionate about supporting healthcare initiatives, economic growth and gender equality through digital communications. Notably, he has delivered multiple digital communications training programmes for female entrepreneurs across Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and South Asia through the SheTrades initiative (ITC & GIZ). Robbie has completed an MSc in Digital Anthropology at University College London.
Lewis Arthurton, Head of Policy and Communications
Lewis is Head of Policy and Communications at ADI. He manages ADI’s policy engagement, including with the World Health Organization, and oversees the World Alzheimer’s Month awareness campaign as well as the organisation’s wider communications portfolio.
Prior to joining ADI, Lewis worked as an analyst within a global consultancy specialising in market access, reimbursement and pricing for novel pharmaceuticals. Alongside this, he contributed to campaigns highlighting links between anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and antisemitism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lewis holds a DPhil in Molecular Cell Biology in Health and Disease from the University of Oxford and has front-line care experience as a Healthcare Assistant in the NHS and as an Ebola Laboratory Technician in Sierra Leone.
Laura Aubert, Head of Membership
Laura leads ADI’s membership work, overseeing the development and support of member organisations. This includes leading the Alzheimer University programme and supporting the establishment of national Alzheimer’s and dementia associations.
With over 15 years’ experience in international membership organisations, she brings expertise in member engagement, intercultural communication, event management and capacity building. Working with the team, she has led the strengthening of ADI’s membership, enhancing member support and expanding programme reach.
Laura has worked with international associations including the International Association of Lawyers in Paris, as well as the Institution of Civil Engineers and the International Project Finance Association in London. She has lived and worked in France, Spain, Australia and the UK, and is bilingual in French and English, with advanced Spanish. She holds an MSc in Tourism Management and Marketing.
Ryan Aylward, Finance Officer
Ryan is responsible for financial administration and supports the Finance Director with financial planning and reporting.
He has seven years’ experience working as a Finance Officer across several sectors, including a craft brewery, a podcast advertising company, and most recently the animal charity Mayhew. Ryan is an avid traveller, animal lover and passionate about food.
Nikki Bayliss, Director of Development
Nikki leads ADI’s global fundraising strategy, overseeing income generation, donor engagement and strategic partnerships to support the organisation’s mission and long-term sustainability. With 20 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, she has a strong track record in fundraising, organisational strategy and capacity building. She has worked across international development, mental health, disability and welfare, and has secured and managed a wide range of philanthropic and institutional partnerships.
Nikki has held roles at organisations including Sightsavers, Street Child, Prisoners Abroad, Scope and Samaritans. Her experience spans both strategic leadership and delivery, providing a comprehensive understanding of the non-profit funding landscape. She holds a BA from the University of York and an MA in Cultural Theory from the University of Sussex.
Chloé Benoist, Publications Manager
Chloé is ADI’s Publications Manager and is responsible for overseeing the preparation of ADI’s key reports throughout the year, including the World Alzheimer Report.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s in political studies from the American University of Beirut. Chloé has over a decade of experience in communications and journalism, with a particular focus on the Middle East and France. She has lived for significant periods of time in the United States, Lebanon and the West Bank.
Laura Castro-Aldrete, Research Partnerships Lead
Laura Castro-Aldrete, PhD, is ADI’s Research Partnerships Lead, working to advance research initiatives and disseminate findings. She coordinates partnerships with academic institutions and project partners, and works with ADI’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel and Global Dementia Expert Panel.
Previously, Laura led mental and brain health projects in the non-profit sector. She has lived in Mexico, Italy, Sweden and the UK. She holds an MSc in Biotechnology and Enterprise and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Manchester, and has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institute and an invited lecturer at Tec de Monterrey. Her grandmother’s diagnosis inspired her dedication to dementia care.
Jane Cziborra, Head of Events
Jane leads the strategic planning and delivery of ADI’s global events portfolio, including the ADI International Conference, regional conferences and Alzheimer University programmes worldwide.
With over 20 years’ experience at ADI, she has been instrumental in developing and expanding the organisation’s events programme into a key platform for global knowledge exchange and capacity building. Her work has strengthened ADI’s regional reach and supported the growth of its member organisations.
Previously working in the corporate sector, Jane brings deep expertise in event strategy and association management, with a strong focus on delivering inclusive and impactful international forums. She holds a BA in French and European Studies and speaks French and Spanish.
Sheila Doyle, Governance Coordinator
Sheila supports the General Manager and CEO in organising and scheduling meetings for the Elected Board, Council and committees.
Previously Board and Committee Secretary at the International Corporate Governance Network, she brings extensive governance experience from roles including her time in the policy team at The Chartered Governance Institute. She is committed to supporting boards and committees to operate effectively.
Sheila lived in several countries before moving to the UK, contributing to her international outlook and cultural awareness.
Amalia Fonk-Utomo, Head of Accreditation
Amalia leads ADI’s accreditation work, overseeing the development and delivery of a global programme designed to strengthen the quality and consistency of dementia training.
She joined ADI at the outset of the accreditation programme and has played a central role in shaping and developing it. Accreditation formalises and regulates training provision, setting clear standards that providers must meet. By establishing these standards, the programme supports improvements in dementia care, reduces variation in quality, and promotes a more consistent, person-centred approach.
Amalia has a background in creative marketing and previously worked for Lowe, DDB and Ogilvy before founding her own agency, Juara. Now based in Groningen, the Netherlands, she is Chair of Alzheimer Indonesia Nederland Foundation and serves on the board of Alzheimer’s Indonesia.
Charlie Grey, Corporate Partnerships Executive
Charlie supports ADI’s development team by managing corporate partnerships and identifying new funding opportunities across the health and technology sectors.
He specialises in relationship management, partnership development and creative fundraising. He brings a strategic and data-informed approach, developing compelling propositions that align partner objectives with ADI’s mission.
Prior to joining ADI, Charlie held fundraising roles at Richard House Children’s Hospice, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation. He holds a first-class degree in Politics from the University of Nottingham.
Nick House, Corporate Partnerships Development Manager
Nick focuses on developing new corporate partnerships for ADI, identifying opportunities to grow income and delivering the organisation’s new business strategy.
He has over 15 years’ experience in business development, partnerships and marketing across the non-profit and commercial sectors. Since joining ADI, he has worked to engage new partners across a range of industries, helping to build relationships that support long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations. Prior to this, Nick held roles at organisations including the Informa, the Royal College of Radiology, the National Theatre and Centrepoint. He holds a BA from Howard University and both an LLB and LLM in Commercial Law from the University of London.
Rosie Houghton, Corporate Partnerships Account Manager
Rosie manages and develops relationships with ADI’s corporate partners, supporting income generation and partnership growth across the organisation’s fundraising portfolio.
She has over 15 years’ experience in corporate partnerships, fundraising, marketing and events, with a strong track record of building and nurturing partner relationships. Since joining ADI in 2020, she has contributed to the development of long-term partnerships and supported engagement across a range of sectors. Prior to this, Rosie held roles at Breast Cancer Haven, Jeans for Genes and The Myton Hospices, specialising in corporate fundraising, events and marketing. She holds a BSc from Harper Adams University College.
Nigel Jenner, Finance Director
Nigel is responsible for ADI’s finances, including reporting and planning. A CIMA-qualified accountant, he has extensive experience across all areas of finance and has worked internationally in Azerbaijan, Zambia and Saudi Arabia. His background spans multinational corporations and start-ups.
Before joining ADI, Nigel worked for YMCA Bournemouth and the Diocese of Salisbury.
Michael Lefevre, General Manager
Michael oversees ADI’s operations, including IT systems, projects, personnel and governance, supporting the organisation’s effective day-to-day running.
He has been with ADI for over 25 years and has developed extensive experience across the organisation, including earlier work in finance, communications and publications. Over time, he has taken on a wide range of responsibilities and played a key role in supporting ADI’s growth as the team and its activities have evolved.
Michael brings strong analytical skills and a focus on problem solving, working across teams to ensure priorities are delivered effectively. His long-standing involvement provides continuity and a deep understanding of ADI’s systems and institutional context. He holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Sussex.
Gloria Mantineo, Membership Manager
Gloria supports the development and delivery of ADI’s membership work, working closely with the Head of Membership to strengthen engagement with member organisations.
She brings experience in membership services and administration, with a strong focus on organisation and relationship management. Prior to joining ADI, she worked as a Membership Officer at the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, managing a wide range of member relationships and administrative processes.
Gloria is highly organised and solution-focused, known for building trusted relationships with colleagues and members from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She holds a degree in European Languages from the University of Catania and has also worked as a teacher of Italian as a second language for adults.
Patricia G Saletti, Research Partnerships Coordinator
Patricia G Saletti, PhD, supports ADI’s research partnerships and collaborates on the coordination of research initiatives and projects. She has a background in neuroscience and extensive experience in programme and portfolio management within the non-profit healthcare sector.
She previously worked on strategic investments and managed research funding at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). After completing her studies in Brazil, she moved to New York to conduct postdoctoral research on neurodegeneration at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Hannah Schneider, Policy and Communications Officer
As Policy and Communications Officer, Hannah supports ADI’s policy, advocacy and communications work, including engagement with multilateral organisations such as the World Health Organization and the UN.
She contributes to campaigns including World Alzheimer’s Month and supports communications linked to policy initiatives.
Hannah holds a BA in Communications from the University of Ottawa and an MSc in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics. She previously worked with the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Programme, translating educational materials into French.
DY Suharya, Regional Director, Asia Pacific Regional Office
DY works from Jakarta, Indonesia as Regional Director for Asia Pacific, fostering advocacy, collaboration, strengthening capacity and engaging with partners in the region. With over 20 years’ experience, she has worked with the World Bank, WHO, UNICEF and CNN. She holds a Master of Public Health Communication from Curtin University, Western Australia, a BA in Journalism from Ohio State University, USA, and a Diploma in English Literature from the University of Indonesia. She is also the founder of Alzheimer’s Indonesia.
DY has been recognised as one of the 50 UN Decade of Healthy Ageing Leaders by WHO and the UN, and as Global Ageing Asia Influencer of the Year (2021). Her work is inspired by her mother’s experience with vascular dementia, driving her commitment to improving the quality of life for people with dementia, their caregivers and future generations. Her mother passed away in April 2017, and this legacy continues.
Marie Yeo, Executive Assistant to the CEO and Office Manager
Marie provides administrative and business support to the CEO and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the office.
Prior to joining ADI, Marie lived and worked in Australia, building over a decade of experience in business administration and operational development across the not‑for‑profit, education and finance sectors. She also has more than 15 years’ experience as a musician and music teacher, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts with postgraduate research in philosophy and theology. Marie is partially fluent in Japanese and brings a thoughtful, people‑centred approach to her role.
Paola Barbarino, Special Adviser
Having stepped down as CEO after nine years, Paola is now advising part time to support the transition. Prior to her role with ADI, Paola was CEO of LIFE and occupied senior positions with Cass Business School, Tate, British Library and IIED. She is a Trustee of Lauderdale House in London. Previously she was a Non-Executive Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (NCDA), a Trustee of Shelter, the housing/ homelessness charity, and of The Postal Museum.
She holds a degree cum laude in Classics from Federico II Napoli University, an MA in Field and Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and an MA in Library and Information Science both from University College London.