PJ profiles Sharon Terry
President and CEO of Genetic Alliance, Washington, D.C.
Genetic Alliance, a health-advocacy nonprofit, aims to transform health through genetics, promoting an environment of openness centered on the health of individuals, families, and communities.
What is something no one knows about your organization?
We recently established a Health Committee, which has established monthly health challenges for the entire staff and is converting an empty office into an exercise room so people can take breaks from their desks and go walk, bike or have a one-on-one with another staff person while exercising.
Where do you plan to travel in 2009?
I just returned from conferences in Madrid and Rome. I will go to Ireland and the UK to meet my study-abroad daughter in May. I have a meeting in Paris in July – and I have dozens of trips in the U.S. throughout the year!
What are a few of the unique challenges you’re facing in the recession?
Though the economy is slowing, our organization is expanding. We are very focused on diversifying our funding resources. This is going to take time and patience but we are ready to build new partnerships. We are committed to providing tools and resources for free as we have in the past. We strive for a comfortable balance between sustainability and holding true to our open-access philosophy.
Who do you draw inspiration from?
My greatest inspirations are my children. They have taught me to live in the present moment and to embrace even adversity. They both have pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a genetic disease. But they are always telling me not to fight disease but to learn to live with it – and they are grateful for the very unique view of life they have as a result.
If you are interested in being profiled or know someone who would like to be profiled and who is a PJ reader, contact Cathy Harms at 919.573.4646 or charms@ajf.org
