Dr. Charles Christiansen assumed duties as Executive Director of the Foundation in March 2008. Prior to that, he served as Vice Provost for Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota Rochester and Founding Director, Center for Allied Health Programs. From 1993-2006, Dr. Christiansen served as Dean and George T. Bryan Distinguished Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch and earlier as Professor and Director, School of Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of British Columbia. His academic career has spanned over three decades.

Jeanne Cooper joined the Foundation in July 2008 and serves as Dr. Christiansen’s Executive Assistant. In addition to that role, Jeanne works as the scholarship coordinator for AOTF’s Scholarship Program and supports her colleagues in a number of the Foundation’s programs.

Jeanne came to the Foundation with over 10 years experience in the not-for-profit arena. She began at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) working in the Education Standards Division coordinating educational seminars and managing the society’s certification programs. She continued in a variety of roles for other professional societies and trade associations managing membership recruitment & retention activities; managing professional & student chapters and planning & execution of annual conferences. Most recently Jeanne was the Director of Federation Relations at a trade association where she worked with local and state chapters in the area of chapter and leadership development.

Jeanne majored in psychology at the George Washington University.

Since 1996, Jessica has served as the National Coordinator for Pi Theta Epsilon, (PTE) the National Honor Society for Occupational Therapy Student. This program of AOTF recognizes academic excellence and promotes research and scholarship as in the profession.

In her role as Coordinator, Jessica supports students and facility members in establishing PTE Chapters in occupational therapy programs, nationwide and promotes the mission and values of PTE throughout the profession.

Jessica holds a BA degree in Mass Communication from Elon University and a Master's degree in Education from George Mason University. In addition to her part-time position with AOTF, she is a Kindergarten teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia. Jessica specializes in teaching individuals with special needs and preparing them to reach their educational potential. She is an active volunteer in her community by advocating for children and adults with learning disabilities and works to enrich the lives of others.

Mindy currently serves as the Director of Information Resources and the Wilma L. West Library. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Human Ecology from Cornell University, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Miami and a Masters in Library Science from the Catholic University of America.

Mindy began her employment at the AOTF in September 2004 as a reference librarian and became the Director in 2006. In addition to her responsibilities with the library she also works with the Fellowships in Leadership Development, Pi Theta Epsilon, DocNet, Scholarships and Awards.

Prior to becoming a librarian and beginning her work with the Foundation, Mindy served as the Director of Membership for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

In addition to her work at AOTF, Mindy volunteers at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum archives.

Jean Morgenweck has over 30 years of fundraising and management experience. She currently serves as Consultant/Senior Development Officer for AOTF. She served as the full-time director of marketing and development for AOTF from 1989-1992 where she successfully launched the Foundation’s first major fundraising initiative – the $5M Quarter Century Campaign. Jean also served as a consultant for AOTF from 1993 – 2002 working to create strategic partnerships with the corporate community.

Jean has worked as a federal contracting officer and in higher education as an administrator for over 20 years. Jean holds an MBA from Colorado State University and a BS from the University of Maryland.

Helene Ross has served on the AOTF staff since 1999. She is currently program assistant for the AOTF Institute, overseeing its e-newsletter Research Resources and coordinating its Dissertation Research Grant program, and providing support to AOTF's overall development initiatives.

Prior to joining AOTF, Helene was a researcher for the health and anatomy book series of US News and World Report and for Science 82-86 of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She also served as a freelance researcher for the book division of National Geographic, American Chemical Society, and Foundation for Biomedical Research.

Helene holds a BA in history from State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook. Additionally, she has completed coursework in the MBA program of American University as well as many classes in editing, grant writing, and outcome management. Helene is married and has two daughters and enjoys spending her free time quilting and knitting.

Susan Vaughn serves as AOTF’s Controller. She attended James Madison University receiving a BS in Biology in 1976. After working some time for the Veterans Administration in Mountain Home, Tennessee and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Susan started full-time employment with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 1985 in what was then the Quality Assurance Department. While with the Association she also worked with the Practice Department on such projects as the Special Interest Section newsletters, Resource Guides on a variety of practice topics, administrative support to the Mental Health Program Manager and administrative support to Specialty Certification in Pediatrics. In 1994 Susan joined the Foundation as Executive Assistant to Executive Director, Martha Kirkland. In 1997 she moved to Controller of the Foundation and became a part-time employee. She is responsible for the day-to-day financial activities of the Foundation. In 2003 Susan assumed the part-time financial duties for her church.