Lauren Stiles, JD - Chief Executive Officer
Lauren holds a B.A. in Earth & Space Science, with a Minor in Marine Science, from the Stony Brook Brook University. She completed a two-year Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowship, during which she provided fundraising and public relations services to numerous non-profits. After graduating with honors from Pace University School of Law, she joined a private practice in New York where she focused on environmental law and policy. Lauren served in leadership positions on several government councils, non-profit boards and professional associations. She developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) symptoms overnight at the age 31. After a relentless two-year quest to find an underlying cause for her symptoms, she was finally diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy caused by an autoimmune disease, Sjogren's syndrome. Since co-founding Dysautonomia International in 2012, Lauren has been an outspoken advocate for individuals living with autonomic disorders. She has lectured on autonomic disorders during U.S. Congressional Briefings and at the National Institutes of Health, Harvard Medical School, Duke University, and numerous other medical schools and hospitals. In 2018, Lauren joined the faculty at Stony Brook University School of Medicine as a Research Assistant Professor of Neurology, where she focuses on autonomic disorders research. She lives with her husband, dog, and several chickens on eastern Long Island.
Charlotte Florez - Director of Events
Charlotte holds a BFA in Theatre Education from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. During her seven years teaching elementary drama and special education, Charlotte developed neurocardiogenic syncope and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. She quickly became passionate about advocating for awareness and connecting with other dysautonomia patients. She volunteered with Dysautonomia International for many years planning in person meetups, awareness events, lightings, proclamations and moderating the North Carolina support group and was awarded the 2021 Volunteer of the Year. In 2021 joined the staff at Dysautonomia international as our Community Engagement Coordinator and in 2023 she became our Director of Events.
Ellie Jackson - Director of Development
Ellie leverages over a decade of fundraising experience to advance the organization's mission of raising awareness and supporting those affected by dysautonomia. With a deep passion for connecting with donors, Ellie prioritizes understanding their personal motivations and stories, which fosters meaningful relationships and enhances the impact of their contributions. Ellie attended the Ohio State University and enjoys participating in the Association of Fundraising Professionals and numerous professional development programs, continually enhancing her expertise in the field. She is committed to empowering patients and their families through advocacy, education, and funding for critical research initiatives. In her free time, Ellie enjoys volunteering in her Southern Ohio community, connecting with her fellow POTS patients, cheering on the Buckeyes and consistently losing at her weekly neighborhood trivia night.
Laura Horodyski - Administrative Assistant
Laura is passionate about her work at nonprofits because she strives to help people and make the world a better place. Laura is a master organizer and keeps the wheels turning at Dysautonomia International as our awesome Administrative Assistant. In her free time, Laura loves reading, hiking and spending time with her two wonderful children.
Kristen Waldbieser - Community Engagement Coordinator
Kristen has been working with nonprofit organizations for over 10 years. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Communications and Creative Writing, and has since used those skills in communications to work with nonprofit organizations such as Give Kids The World. As a young adult, Kristen was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. The Dysautonomia International support groups were vital to her as a patient, and she is excited to help other patients connect and grow as a community.
Katherine Hut - Advocacy Coordinator
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