lsherman

OUR STAFF

Leeann Sherman Profile Picture

Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE (she/her)

President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Leeann serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), a national organization dedicated to promoting understanding and prevention of suicide through training, education, research, and awareness programs.

With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Leeann brings a wealth of expertise to her role at AAS. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the missions of community-driven organizations and professional associations. Leeann has been instrumental in founding various industry coalitions, collaborating with stakeholders and volunteers to drive mission-driven advocacy initiatives forward.

Leeann’s advocacy efforts extend to engagement with government agencies at all levels, including the Centers for Disease Control, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, US Department of Transportation and various other state and federal agencies. She has cultivated productive relationships with policymakers and legislators, advocating for suicide prevention measures and policies to address mental health needs in communities.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Leeann holds both a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management and a master’s degree in Community & Economic Development. She remains actively involved with her alma mater, participating in various activities to support the next generation of leaders.

Recognized for her exemplary leadership in the association management field, Leeann has been honored with the prestigious Scott Jackson Award for Leadership from the Pennsylvania Society of Association Executives (PASAE). Additionally, she holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, a distinction that reflects the highest standard for a professional executive in association management.

Leeann’s dedication to advancing suicide prevention efforts and her visionary leadership make her a driving force in the field, ensuring that AAS remains at the forefront of promoting mental health, research, and education in the suicidology field.

Laura Alexander, MA (she/they)

Manager of Training

Laura joined AAS in August of 2023 and brings more than a decade of non-profit experience, including in education and crisis services, to the team. Most recently, they were the Assistant Director at a crisis call center where she managed training, recruitment, and volunteers in preparation for the national adoption of 988. Laura has a particular interest in all the invisible labor and beyond the scenes magic that make non-profits run and enjoys collaboration, leadership development, and a well-written project plan.

Laura received an MA in Gender and Sexuality Studies from George Washington University where they researched the possibilities of restorative justice as a framework for responding to sexual violence and harm. Her interest in this work grew from time spent as a sexual assault advocate and prevention educator as well as her experiences as a classroom teacher in the U.S. and Malaysia, where she served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant.

Outside of work, Laura believes in the radical possibility of futures free from violence and oppression. She is passionate about community care, hosting dinners for friends and family, and the city of Buffalo.

Bonnie Benetti profile picture

Bonnie Benetti, CPA (she/her)

Chief Finance & Administrative Officer

Bonnie joined AAS in December of 2022. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over a decade of professional experience in accounting, audit, taxes, and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining AAS, she served as a Section Chief in the Bureau of Fiscal Management, under the Office of Medical Assistance Programs, within the PA Department of Human Services. She used her accounting knowledge and leadership skills there to help further the mission to protect Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens. Bonnie also spent 5 years in public accounting, where she gained valuable experience with many non-profit accounting clients.

She earned her baccalaureate degree in Accounting from the Pennsylvania State University in 2011. She became a licensed CPA in 2015. In 2016, she established her own successful tax practice. Bonnie enjoys spending her free time cooking or going out for dinner, watching movies, taking nature walks, and most importantly spending time with her family, friends, and house full of pets.

Robert Coffey profile picture

Robert Coffey, BA (he/him)

Director of Development

Robert Coffey joined AAS in July of 2023 and has 20+ years of nonprofit experience. 

Prior to AAS, Robert was the Senior Manager of Development and Meeting Planning at the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). While at HDSA, Robert managed key fundraising programs such as community-based special events, direct mail appeals, and annual giving campaigns.  

Throughout his career, Robert has managed donor relations and implemented strategic fundraising plans to generate much-needed resources and support programs for individuals and their loved ones. At AAS, Robert is responsible for cultivating relationships to ensure continued funding centered around the support of individuals and their loved ones to overcome the stigma of illness, disease, depression, and mental health as well as research in the field of suicidology.  

In addition to his extensive fundraising experience, Robert is experienced in meeting planning and database management. From annual conferences to local educational meetings and staff retreats, Robert has coordinated gatherings of every size. He is an expert in scouting locations, soliciting bids, managing vendor relationships, creating and negotiating contracts, and managing budgets. In conjunction with his meeting planning experience, Robert has implemented multiple scholarship programs that provided travel and financial support for guests to attend meetings and conferences.  

Robert is excited to join the AAS team and bring his experience to an organization that provides vital programs and services. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hofstra University where he also minored in Anthropology and Fine Arts. 

Outside of work, Robert enjoys spending time with his family, including his dogs, gardening, camping, and spending time in nature. 

Katherine Delgado profile picture

Katherine Delgado, BS (she/her)

Chief Program & Information Officer

Katherine has worked in the nonprofit sector for 15 years supporting crisis services and trauma-informed programs. Her work began at the local crisis and 2-1-1 referral line, evolving into program leadership with a special interest around understanding systems and analytical applications while keeping a heart for the front-line work of serving and supporting those who do critical work. She specializes in process and data management, incorporating analytics into strategic development, change impact consideration, and the streamlining and operationalizing of system training, literacy and documentation. She promotes partnership collaboration to optimize systems and leverage organizational strategies, leading to collective impact opportunities, publications, and receiving the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award in Service-Learning which honors those who use their skills to solve tough challenges.

Katherine is currently a technical consultant and mentor in nonprofit program data analytics, data privacy, and technology at Nashville Software School and Geek Cause, serves on iCarol’s Crisis Product Advisory Board, and volunteers as a board member for Nashville’s Girls In Tech. She often serves as a translator, story teller, and mobilizer between the technical side of the work and the experience, helping stakeholders identify opportunities for innovation and improvement leading to more agile progression of implementations and improvements.

She earned her Baccalaureate of Science in Psychology from Cumberland University in 2010. Outside of using data for good and volunteering, Katherine enjoys cooking, dancing, being creative and spending time with her daughters, family, and friends.

Jody Gottlieb, BA (she/her)

Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing

Jody Gottlieb is an internationally recognized media and strategic communications executive who utilizes the power of media for positive change. Her expertise spans global health, education, social justice, conservation, sustainability, conflict resolution, and current affairs. 

Before joining AAS, Gottlieb led RainStream Media, shaping impactful narratives as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Producer. She co-created, co-hosted, and executive produced the acclaimed “Somebody Somewhere,” a 2018 Spotify Editor’s Choice podcast. As Principal of West Arm Media, she provides strategic guidance and spearheads content creation for media, entertainment, and education clients.

Previously, Gottlieb was the head of production and development at Vulcan Productions, founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen. Her portfolio encompassed diverse projects, including network series, specials, digital content, and impact campaigns to drive social change.

As the Executive Director of CNN Productions at CNN Worldwide and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., she orchestrated initiatives such as award-winning series, specials, and weekly magazine programs. Gottlieb also held leadership roles at Middle East Broadcasting and PBS, contributing significantly to their missions.

Her contributions to media and journalism have been widely recognized, including multiple News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Academy Award nominations, and prestigious honors such as the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University awards, the George Polk Award, and several Edward R. Murrow and George Foster Peabody awards. She holds a B.A. from the College of Charleston and an AAS from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2019, she was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the College of Charleston for her media contributions.

She has been a steadfast advocate for mental health and suicide prevention for over 18 years, actively engaging in initiatives to raise awareness and provide support to those in need.

Samantha Nadler profile picture

Samantha Nadler, MSSW (she/her)

Senior Director of Programs

Samantha has been working in crisis services and suicidology for 15 years, starting as a volunteer for a Nashville crisis line in 2009. She has experience in carrying out front-line work in addition to leading various crisis services through her career, most recently working as Senior Manager of Clinical Quality at a national text-based crisis service. Her specialties include call center operations, quality improvement, change management in 24/7 services.  

Sam enjoys finding solutions to complex issues, particularly leveraging data to inform next steps. Her background also includes working in advocacy and training in suicide prevention from a grassroots approach, which led to certifications in various evidence-supported curricula. As a childhood survivor of several suicide attempts as well as institutional abuse, Sam uses her lived experiences to advocate for change and improvement in the mental health field. These experiences have been used to elevate understanding of the harm of coercive practices and importance of collaborative care in her work as a public speaker, trainer, clinician, and manager.  

She holds a Master of Science in Social Work with a concentration in trauma treatment from University of Tennessee and has been recognized for outstanding contributions to suicide prevention in Tennessee by receiving the statewide Madge & Ken Tullis Suicide Prevention Award.

Alison Rogge profile picture

Alison Rogge, BA (she/her)

Manager of Accreditation

Alison (Allie) joined AAS in January of 2024. She brings years of crisis intervention experience, as well as a diverse background in medical administration and creative work. Most recently, she was a Program Manager at a California-based 988 crisis intervention and suicide prevention center, where she led youth program development, text-based crisis services, and outreach. She specializes in process development and data analysis, incorporating leading-edge research into crisis program management and workforce training.

Allie is passionate about centering lived experience in crisis services, believing that the voices that need to be elevated are the ones most affected by the services they receive. She uses her own lived experience with suicidality to advocate for change and champion a holistic care model. Alison is also a facilitator of Youth Mental Health First Aid, Teen Mental Health First Aid, and PhotoVoice, an ethical photographic approach to community engagement and social change.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art & Design from California Polytechnic State University SLO. She uses her degree in her off-hours, engaging in creative hobbies, reading, and hiking in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area.