The Williams Syndrome Association provides support on a local level with the help of dedicated volunteers. Regional Chairs are members of the WSA family who provide a personal connection to members in their area. They support members with answers to questions about Williams syndrome and local resources and facilitate social networking with other families through local events. The RC in your area is your first point of contact if you have questions or need direction.
Sheetal Cordry
Birmingham, Alabama
205-541-3867
My husband Ryan and I have three children: Eva (WS), Raj, and Dev. Before we had Eva (who was diagnosed at 2.5 years old), I worked as a social worker for children and adolescents and their families. Receiving Eva’s diagnosis was full of many emotions yet we are learning that there is support and love around us. We joined the WSA soon after her diagnosis and have attended two conventions. We are so grateful for not only the information and resources we acquire at the convention but also meeting other families and the comfort that comes with knowing you are not alone. I am truly excited to be a regional chair and hope to meet you. I would love to support you in any way I can and help provide some direction on how to navigate the different phases of this journey.
Amy Davidson
Shelby Township, MI
248-982-8762
My name is Amy Davidson and I live in Shelby Township, MI with my wonderful husband, Branden, a daughter, Tessa, and a son, Zachary who has WS. We like being outside with the kids especially swimming in our pool and spending time with friends and family. I am a CPA, working as a tax and business adviser. I have been volunteering with the WSA for about three years, and also help with fundraising for the Royal Oak Walk. We have gotten a lot of support from friends and family since Zac's diagnosis at 6 weeks old. I enjoy spreading awareness of Williams syndrome and making connections with other families. There is so much to learn between the medical challenges, the education side, the therapies, etc. It is amazing to see how different but truly how similar our kids are. Our journeys are all different but yet the connections, the resources and information we share is priceless. I am so thankful to be able to make connections with so many families that I would never have met without the help of the WSA. As one of the Great Lakes regional chairs, I hope to help families by listening, providing resources, and support to families trying to navigate through the unique challenges and extraordinary gifts we call WS. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything. If I haven't experienced it, I know I can connect you to someone who has or provided helpful resources. It takes a village to raise kids, and we are here to help.
Lisa Fusco
Wilmington, Delaware
856-577-5037
Lisa lives in Wilmington, Delaware with her husband John and 3 wonderful daughters Tessa, Adelaide (WS), and Lucy. Shortly after Adelaide’s diagnosis at 4 months old, they joined the WSA and quickly found the resources and community to help guide them through this new journey of Williams syndrome. John and Lisa were active members of the Philadelphia Walk for Williams committee before co-chairing the walk for the last two years. In just 6 short years, they have seen the walk grow to almost 800 participants and they hope to welcome new families every year. Lisa hopes to connect families with the resources they need, provide guidance for support and plan meaningful family activities. We have several dedicated Regional Committee Members who are as eager to help families, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
Joel Liestman
Maple Grove, Minnesota
612-251-9919
Amanda McNew
Texas
(682) 321-0110
Amanda McNew is the Public Information Officer for the Grapevine Police Department in Texas. She serves on the board of trustees for the North Texas Public Information Officers group and is a Peer Parent Mentor for Texas Parent to Parent. Amanda has served on the WSA Regional Committee, co-coordinated Walk4Williams in Grapevine, and organized various holiday events. She lives in Plano with husband, Matt, daughter, Carson, and son, Lucas, who has Williams syndrome, autism, and ocular albinism.
Julie Oglesbee
Lakeside, Ohio
419-340-0827
My name is Julie Oglesbee and my family is from Lakeside Ohio. I have three grown children: Elisa (mom to my grandson Grayson, who has WS), Derek and Nicole. I work as a preschool teacher in Lakeside, a small town that has reached out to us in so many ways of support for Grayson and his mom. We love the water and the beach and enjoy summer, fall and winter here! I became involved with the Williams Syndrome Association when my grandson was diagnosed at 8 weeks old. We immediately reached out to families and began attending events and then quickly started helping with a regional walk. We took his diagnosis and ran with it and have never looked back—important to us for Grayson to know who he is and that he is special. It became something that just made our family bonds closer and the bonds that we shared with the other WS families. I knew right from the start that I wanted to be able to help these children and their families with whatever I can. My goal is to make resources accessible for the families and make sure that we touch each other lives with gatherings and events and friendship.
Jen Sellars
Atlanta, Georgia
404.386.1000
I live in north Metro Atlanta with my husband, Brad and our three children Harper, Hadley, and Hudson. My middle daughter Hadley was diagnosed with Williams syndrome at two weeks old. I am a former elementary/middle school teacher and currently stay at home... although most of the time I feel like a taxi cab driver. :) I enjoy playing tennis, a good family dance party, traveling to the beach with my family, listening to "oldies" music, finding ways to switch to safer products, and spending time with my friends. I immediately became a member of the WSA upon our daughter's diagnosis and am so grateful for the information, resources, and support this organization and community has provided. It brings me great joy to connect and provide support/resources to other families...especially those who are newly diagnosed. It can be such an overwhelming, scary, and lonely journey at first, and I absolutely love helping others realize and feel that they are not alone in this...and give HOPE! It takes a village, and there is no greater comfort than being surrounded by a "family" who truly gets it! I am so honored to be the Southeast regional chair, serve families/individuals with WS in this region, and help support and provide direction/help navigate this most beautiful (and sometimes challenging) journey. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all!
Tara Smith
Madisonville, Louisiana
504-495-9937
I live in Madisonville, LA with my husband and four children. Our youngest son, Easton, has WS. I have been working with the WSA for more than two years, hosting walks and several other events with my husband for the WSA. I also have the honor of serving on the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council. In my role with the WSA and on the DD Council, I advocate for inclusion and means for improving the lives of people living with developmental disabilities. In my spare time, I am Associate General Counsel for the world's largest retailer. It is my pleasure welcoming new families to our region and I look forward to continuing to serve the families living with WS on the Gulf Coast.
Jessica Vecchia
New York City
347-582-6381
Nanci Walsh
Walpole, Massachusetts
617-733-1740
Connection Specialist Needed for Canyon Region (Arizona)
We are in the process of finding a family connection specialist for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Canyon Region (Southern California)
We are in the process of finding a family connection representative for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Cumberland Gap Region
We are in the process of finding a family connection volunteer for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Great Plains Region
We are in the process of finding a family connection representative for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Mid-Atlantic Region
We are in the process of finding a family connection volunteer for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Northwest Region
We are in the process of finding a family connection representative for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Rocky Mountain Region
We are in the process of finding a family connection representative for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for Sierra Region
We are in the process of finding a family connection volunteer for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.
Connection Specialist Needed for South Texas
We are in the process of finding a family connection representative for this area. Please contact the WSA if you need a connection or information, or if you're interested in volunteering in this region.