Supporting Families.
Saving Lives.

Staff

Alice Lara, RN President and CEO, Sudden Arrhythmia Syndromes (SADS) Foundation 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! Email Alice

Adrienne Butterwick Program Manager Working for the SADS Foundation has been a truly inspiring and amazing experience, and I am very proud to be part of an organization that is so dedicated to helping families and saving young lives. Having spent most of my life in Salt Lake City, I graduated from the University of Utah in 2007 with a degree in public health and a minor in biology. Shortly after, I began working as a pharmaceutical research scientist and realized that my real passion lies with the patient. So, I began my experience with the foundation as an awareness intern and was extremely grateful to have the chance to join the team full-time in October 2009. Since then I have worked with our wonderful patient families to raise awareness and advocate for advancing treatment and research for SADS conditions. I hope to one day further my education in the public health field, but until then I can be found cycling around the city, kayaking, or playing chess with my cat Eleanor. Email Adrienne
Amy Dorsey Office Manager/Program Associate Amy received her BAA from Central Michigan University in Broadcasting and Business. After working in a television station she gave up the workforce to be a stay at home mom. It was during this time her daughter was diagnosed with Epstein’s Anomaly a rare heart condition that required surgery. This experience led to many encounters with non profit organizations. Amy is now an on line student getting her master’s degree in Public Service Management with an emphasis on non profits. She hopes to bring her personnel experiences and academic knowledge to the SADS Foundation. Her goal is to help others the way others have helped her and her family during a very difficult time. Email Amy
Brandon Bagley Bookkeeper Brandon Bagley graduated from the University of Utah in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He completed his Master’s of Business Administration in 2004 also from the University of Utah. He lives in Cedar Hills with his wife, Stephanie, and children, Zach, Emma, Ashlynn, and Gabe. Email Brandon
Sarah Marsden Director, Annual Funds After some time away, gardening and traveling, I am happy to be back at the SADS Foundation as part of the Development team again. Working to secure the smaller donations that are often the bread and butter of a nonprofit’s fundraising strategy has always been my passion, and now I can focus my energies there! I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with family members and volunteers that I’d met in the mid-2000’s. Email Sarah

Laura Wall

Vice President of Development and Marketing

Working for the SADS Foundation is one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my career. I came to the SADS Foundation with many years of non-profit fund-raising experience including work with the American Heart Association, the David Eccles School of Business and the Swaner EcoCenter. Being part of this wonderful organization is both challenging and exhilarating. I love every minute.
I am a native Utahan, and graduated with a BS in Communication from the University of Utah with an emphasis on marketing. I bring enthusiasm, passion and excitement for this amazing cause, as well as extensive experience in capital campaigns, raising and managing annual and operating funds, event planning, soliciting donations and volunteer management.

I live in Salt Lake with my three lovely children and enjoy spending time gardening, writing, and being with my family.

Email Laura

Anne E. Maurer, MA, LMHC

Director of Family Support

I am very honored to have joined the SADS team providing the Family Support piece of such a strong and passionate organization. I am looking forward to meeting and reaching out to the families who have been affected with a SADS disorder. I am so impressed by the supportive and active community I have already met, and am excited to meet more of you. I come from a mental health background, focused on grief, loss and trauma, especially in children and families. I am a licensed counselor and graduated with a Masters degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and am happy to have returned home after living in the Pacific Northwest for over 5 years. Outside of work I am usually hiking with my dog, baking cookies, and trying to get better at playing the banjo.

Email Anne

Christine Fontanella

Director of Medical Education

I am very excited about the opportunity to join the SADS team. I have worked closely with the Foundation for several years through my previous role with a genetic testing laboratory, where I gained valuable knowledge and experience surrounding channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. I was born and raised in Connecticut, where I still reside and graduated from the University of CT with a BS degree in Pathobiology. I look forward to bringing many years of industry experience into my role to develop and implement important educational programs.

When I’m not working, I can most often be found rock climbing, hiking or swimming at the beach with my yellow lab or having fun with family and friends. I am very excited to work with the SADS team to make a difference in the lives of so many special families.

Email Christine

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Warning Signs
- Family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death under age 40.
- Fainting or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle.
- Consistent or unusual chest pain &/or shortness of breath during exercise.

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Amy Dorsey

Anne E. Maurer, MA, LMHC

Christine Fontanella

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