WSA Staff

Joe Mancini brings to the Williams Syndrome Association more than 20 years of leadership and development experience focused on and dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities and their families. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to create innovative programing and advocating for individual rights and access, all while obtaining millions of dollars of financial support for projects that better the lives of individuals and families he has served. A few highlights include that in the last five years, Joe has secured large gifts that have been designated to the development of a sensory room in the Lehigh Valley International Airport, a tech training center for The School District of Philadelphia, a statewide disability summit and legislative conference, a nationwide training program for the hospitality industry, and an increase in accessibility to food pantries.

Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the East Stroudsburg University, a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Scranton and is currently finishing his doctorate in organizational management. Joe and his family currently reside in Philadelphia. As the father of a child with a developmental disability, working in this field is not only a profession for him, but a personal passion.

Experienced in event organization, internal and external communications, process creation, data analysis, and budget oversight, Joanna brings an unparalleled level of customer service and dedication to the WSA. Joanna began her career, and worked for nearly two decades, in all aspects of the hospitality industry, ultimately starting and owning a successful brewery with her husband. Drawn to mission-driven work, Joanna transitioned her skills to a large nonprofit that provides community-based support to people with disabilities and their families in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. At the WSA, Joanna is responsible for ensuring everyone involved has the tools to succeed running third-party events. She looks forward to building long-lasting relationships that foster the mission of the WSA.

Joanna currently resides in Philadelphia, PA with her husband Vince, daughters Scarlet and Emma, plus Winston, a 60-pound lap dog who is a Border Collie/Springer Spaniel Mix. They love hiking, playground hopping, kayaking, reading, playing video games like Super Mario and Minecraft, gardening, and working on their home.

Ann Marie Sanders brings more than 35 years of fundraising, marketing, and administrative experience to the Williams Syndrome Association, having served most recently as the Donor Relations and Events Manager at The Arc of the Capital Area in Austin, TX. Her career background includes extensive involvement in the implementation, oversight, and management of a variety of donor management platforms as well as  considerable involvement with nonprofit professional theaters, including her role as Associate Producer of the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Ain’t Misbehavin,’ which traveled to 80 cities in 35 states.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in music business from State University of New York, College at Fredonia with a double concentration in arts administration and communications/public relations. Much of her passion for human services stems from her two-year experience working and traveling worldwide with the international performing group Up With People. Ann Marie is looking forward to building new relationships and having a positive impact on the Williams syndrome community.

Lacie brings an extensive background in non-profit program development and for-profit project management, with over two decades of experience directing, planning, implementing, and expanding programs. She has held roles in marketing, graphic design, communication, grant management, plus technical writing and editing.

Recently she has worked with a team to film international scientists converging on the sea ice in Utqiaġvik, Alaska; provided sole staff support for an artist who experiences disabilities while filming his story on location in Phoenix, Arizona; led successful fundraising campaigns for multiple non-profits in San Francisco, Anchorage, and Austin; and collaborated with MIT engineers and UAF marine biologists in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

Lacie earned a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture and Computer Art from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Outside of work, Lacie enjoys biking with her three dogs.