Board & staff members
Board of directors
Benjaman D. Scanlan, Chair
Ben has lived in Arizona for over 6 years now. He has three children, Kamree (7), Gabriel (5), & Preston (1) along with a beautiful wife. He has a Bachelors degree from the University of Utah and an MBA from Arizona State University. He is excited to be able to contribute to the growth of the Spina Bifida Association of Arizona for many years.
Ron Whiteside, Treasurer
Ron has been involved in the lives of people with Spina Bifida nearly all his life. He has been an Orthotist for over 25 years and loves working with people in the Spina Bifida community. He has owned his own orthotics company and now works for Hanger.
Michelle Miller, Secretary
Michelle has just recently joined the board of directors and is excited to be involved. Michelle has a beautiful 3 year old granddaughter with Spina Bifida who has a smile that brings sunshine to any room.
Nan LaBrose, Chair Elect
Nan comes to us from Illinois where, as the mother of a daughter with Spina Bifida, she was active in the organization there as well as various sports and recreational groups for the disabled. She is honored to be able to continue her efforts to enrich the lives of those in the Spina Bifida community.
Alan Potter
Alan served on the Arizona Epilepsy Foundation Board of Directors for 15 years. He became acquainted with Spina Bifida when his daughter became pregnant while on anti-seizure medicine and the doctor warned them of the danger of birth defects. This was the first time that Alan had heard of Spina Bifida despite his interest in medical science. He is well educated and currently has one year left to achieve his Ph.D. in International Business Relations.
Lisa Purdy, Chair of Programs/Services
Lisa is 28 years old and was born with Spina Bifida. She has been to-gether with her husband Adrian to whom she married in 2007. Lisa graduated from ASU with a BA degree in Fine Arts and Photography. She also recently became the mother of a beautiful girl, and currently works for Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL).
Stephen Anderson, Chair of Governance
Stephen is the director of Network Development for TriWest Healthcare Alliance, contracted by the Department of Defense to administer the TRICARE program in the 21-State West Region. Stephen has worked in the health care industry for 17 years and has held various leadership positions in a number of local and national health plans. He enjoys spending time with his wfe and young daughter and loves the out doors.
Jay Brown
Jay brings experience in the legal field. He was interested in the association because he wants to help people, including children by raising awareness to help decrease the effects of Spina Bifida through education and raise their quality of life by advocating on their behalf. He hopes to network with his fellow legal professionals to assist in raising awareness by their participating with time and donations.
Christina Nevarez, Chair of FSACT
Christina was born in Sonora Mexico raised in Arizona, with a love for cooking, experienced with eating disorders this has helped her to find nutritious foods and fueled her hunger for educating other teens on proper nutrition. She studied Culinary Arts at the Art Institute of Phoenix and has done cooking segments on TV and even tried out for the Next Food Network start. She was once nominated for the Athena Young Professional Award. She currently teaches cooking classes to the junior high students at St. Matthew's as well as hosting a show on Univision, modeling on the side, and acting in films. She co-owns a chain of natural health food stores with her family. She has 2 little girls and is happily married for 8 years.
Staff members
Sharri Muscarella, Office manager
Sharri has been a Phoenix transplant since 1999 coming from Orlando, Florida with her husband, Jeff, and two sons, Seth & Jordan. Now enjoying the phase of ‘empty nester’, Sharri spends her free time involved with her North Phoenix community and the neighborhood children.
As our new Office Manager, Sharri brings to SBAAZ comprehensive experience in business administration and the non-profit arena.
