About Us

Alice Lara, RN

President and CEO

I came to SADS looking for a challenging, fast-paced position that would utilize my skills in fund raising, marketing/public relations, volunteer management, program development, and financial management, as well as my medical background.  But mostly, I wanted to work for a nonprofit that I felt was really doing good work! SADS is such an organization.

 

I was trained as a Registered Nurse and worked for 8 years in nursing, nursing administration and teaching nursing. I have spent the past 14 years working in the nonprofit world-in administration, fund raising and consulting-in the Bay Area and now in Salt Lake City.

I have one son now living in Hawaii. The rest of my family live in the Salt Lake area. My dog, Sophia, is the SADS office dog. We love to go for long walk/runs every morning and to wander the Farmer’s Market in the summer. I love cooking, reading, gardening, travel and needlepoint or counted cross-stitch.

I am excited about the new Board and staff. I am honored to be involved with SADS, our volunteers and our staff. Working together, I know we can make a difference!

Marcia Baker, MS Ed

Program Director

Marcia Baker joined the SADS Foundation staff team in October 2018 as Program Director, following a 30+ year career in management with two other “heart” nonprofit associations.   During her tenure with American Heart Association at the national and affiliate levels, and then Mended Hearts, she has experience in program development (for healthcare professionals and public), conference and meeting planning, research administration, volunteer management, policy interpretation and consulting.

Marcia holds a M.S. in Health Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois and B.S. in Music Education from University of Missouri, Columbia.  Marcia spends her leisure time sailing and singing with her nonprofit women’s ensemble in Dallas.  She recently earned her USCG Master Captain’s license and teaches sailing on her boat at Lake Whitney, Texas.

Jan Schiller

Director of Development & Marketing

I am honored to join the team at the SADS Foundation as the Director of Development and Marketing to further the mission of saving the lives and supporting the families of children and young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities. I come to this position with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Utah, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Utah State University, and 17 years of experience in development and leadership in the non-profit community.

The loss of young adults or children touches my heart as I have experienced this type of loss personally in my family although from different medical reasons. The opportunity to increase the support of the families dealing with SADS inherited disorders and the physicians who work to treat and cure these disorders as well as the awareness of the public is a challenge I am thrilled to undertake.

Erin Waite

Technology and Administrative Manager

I am thrilled to be part of the SADS foundation as the Technology and Administrative Manager. I am excited to learn and grow with the SADS foundation and being able to promote awareness to those who been affected by cardiac arrhythmias. I’ve spent my undergraduate studying health sciences and educational promotion. I am looking forward to utilize my abilities with this great foundation and help those in need.

I am a native from Utah. I enjoy hiking, cooking, and spending time with my family.

Anna Goodson

Communications Director

I’m delighted to be joining the SADS Foundation as the Communications Director, and am looking forward to connecting with the SADS community. I hold a B.A. in English from Michigan State University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. I’m excited to use my background in writing to help promote awareness of SADS conditions.

I’m originally from Okemos, Michigan. In my free time, I enjoy running, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with my husband and my dog Bentley.