April 4, 2025

I AM ALS is thrilled to welcome two incredible leaders to I AM ALS’s next chapter – Dustin Watson as the new Vice President of Policy and Advocacy and Tim Abeska as a new member of the Board of Directors.

Tim Abeska, retired attorney and active I AM ALS volunteer and leader, has joined the organization’s board of directors. Tim’s wife Mary Ann—a U.S. military veteran—died from ALS six years ago. Tim has shared that the experience of ALS changed him. He threw himself into the movement, offering his expertise and energy in a “second career” of volunteer work. In addition to providing pro bono legal work, Tim is an active co-chair of I AM ALS’s Community Outreach Team and Veterans Community Team.

Dustin Watson joins I AM ALS with more than thirty years of government relations experience, developing and leading grassroots campaigns and legislative strategies at the local, state, national, and international levels. He supported the launch of the Center for Business and Public Policy at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business; secured millions of dollars in government grants for nonprofit organizations; consulted on six congressional and state-based electoral campaigns; led business operations and lobbying services for a political consulting firm; and directed government relations and public affairs for three trade associations. Most recently, Dustin served as Vice President, Head of Federal Government Relations for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Dustin shared, “I am honored to join I AM ALS and support community-driven advocacy efforts to end ALS. I have seen the power of patient-centric advocacy campaigns in advancing bipartisan public policy to further disease research, better access to care, and comprehensive plans for cures through my work in HIV/AIDS, cancer, and most recently, Parkinson’s disease. There is no better time than right now to build on the tremendous progress made by the dedicated I AM ALS community and focus on policy priorities that will bring the greatest impact.”

I AM ALS CEO Andrea Goodman added her excitement, stating, “The ALS community is at a pivotal moment to accelerate our impact and focus on driving more progress in a changing political environment. We are thrilled to bring new expertise to our Board of Directors and staff and know that both Tim and Dustin’s leadership will serve as a support to our incredible volunteers and staff in their daily work.”