Ryan House Staffs Up

Ryan House, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that provides respite, palliative and end-of-life care to Arizona children with life-threatening conditions, has hired three new people including a director of development, director of special events and marketing and development coordinator.
“We welcome these three outstanding employees to Ryan House,” said Alyssa Crockett, executive director.  “Each brings a variety of important and relevant experience to their new roles that will assuredly assist us in fulfilling our mission.”
 
Cindy Mero, who has been named director of special events and marketing for Ryan House, most recently comes from the Banner Health Foundation where she spent four years handing fund development, events and sponsorships.
In this new role, Mero will develop all aspects of Ryan House’s special events, as well as develop and implement volunteer leadership committees, cultivate and steward donors, and develop, implement and manage the nonprofit’s marketing and communications strategy.
Ryan House’s new Director of Development is Cathy LaSusa. She brings more than 15 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit development, having worked for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the American Cancer Society in New York, and for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
LaSusa oversees major gifts, grant writing, and donor relations. She is a proud member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and volunteers for animal advocacy nonprofits in her spare time.
Erin Mortensen, Ryan House’s new development coordinator, is a recent graduate of Arizona State University who holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development. Mortensen’s responsibilities include managing the database, donations, donor records, and spearheading all social media platforms.
Mortensen was most recently an intern at Make A Wish Arizona in their Wish Granting department. She has several years of experience working with youth, including working as a mentor at a troubled teen residential teen treatment center and also as a preschool teacher.
Ryan House opened in spring 2010 on the campus of St. Joseph’s Hospital in midtown Phoenix. The home provides 24/7 medical, social, emotional and spiritual support for children and families. Features include eight children’s bedrooms, three family suites, an outdoor playground, art, music, sensory and hydrotherapy rooms.
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