Meet The Team

Board of Directors

Mark D. Mills

CHAIRMAN

Mark Mills brings to the APKD a wealth of experience in vision-based machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to help grow organ donation and transplantation.

Mark D. Mills

Mark Mills brings to the APKD a wealth of experience in vision-based machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies – two areas that continue to have a growing impact on the field of organ donation and transplantation. Mark is the president of C2I, a leading provider of innovative automation solutions. His team has delivered bridge automation solutions since 2000 and automated shove protection systems since 2015. In 2018, C2I commissioned the first production of an intermodal inventory management system based exclusively on a vision system. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

Nicholas A. Rediger, MBA

TREASURER

Nicholas A. Rediger, MBA, has been with WVC RubixCloud since its inception. He has an accounting background, but his passion is technology.

Nicholas A. Rediger, MBA

Nicholas A. Rediger, MBA, has been with WVC RubixCloud since its inception. He has an accounting background, but his passion is technology. Nicholas is a critical member of both the discovery and implementation teams. On the discovery side he listens to current and prospective clients to identify specific pain points, and then works with the implementation team to design and apply specific workflows to meet those needs.

According to Nicholas, the best part of his role is collaborating with clients and contributing to their business and personal successes. He takes pride in helping each client find the right solutions to meet their individual and often unique needs.

When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons in and around Toledo. He coaches CYO soccer and loves to play golf whenever he gets the chance.

David White, Jr.

MEMBER

Dave knows first-hand that living donors save lives. In 1989, he received a lifesaving living kidney transplant from his sister, Stephanie.

David White, Jr.

Dave knows first-hand that living donors save lives. In 1989, he received a living kidney transplant from his sister, Stephanie. In 2009, he joined the APKD’s Board of Directors where he served as president for over 12 years.

Dave also serves as president of Dave White Chevrolet and is part of the White Family Dealerships, which operates 19 automobile dealerships and 25 franchises throughout the country. His other board positions include Regional Growth Partnership, Ohio Automobile Dealers Association and Toledo Automobile Dealers Association. Dave is a past board member of the Toledo and Flower Hospitals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master of business administration

Joseph Shapiro, MD

MEMBER

Dr. Shapiro currently serves as dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, and holds more than 20 patents.

Joseph Shapiro, MD

Dr. Shapiro is a former professor of medicine and chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toledo Medical Center. He now serves as dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.

Dr. Shapiro earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his residency at Georgetown University. He also completed a fellowship in nephrology at the University of Colorado. His career is a blend of education, clinical practice and research. He is the co-author of more than 200 research papers and book chapters and holds more than 20 patents. Dr. Shapiro has served on the APKD board since 2008.

Bill McCreary, PhD

MEMBER

Bill has been heavily involved in commercialization throughout his career, and served as an advisor to several venture capital funds.

Bill McCreary, PhD

Bill McCreary assumed the newly created role of Vice President Chief Information Officer & Chief Technology Officer on July 1, 2015.  Responsible for all information technology covering academic technology, 3D/virtual reality technologies, the Center for Creative Instruction, healthcare technology systems and administrative systems across the University enterprise, which come together in the Division of Technology & Advanced Systems.

McCreary has been heavily involved in the commercialization throughout his career, and served as an advisor to several venture capital funds.  He is a member of the Rocket Innovations Board, which manages the UToledo venture fund.   The Governor of Ohio recently appointed Bill to a third term on the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, which manages the large state technology commercialization fund.

McCreary holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry with minor in engineering/math, and master’s degrees in econometrics, computer science/math and business finance, a law degree as well as a PhD focused on artificial intelligence and evolutionary simulation in virtual reality.  Current research includes developing a series of AI based simulation games for cybersecurity.

Our Team

Michael A. Rees, MD, PhD

Chief executive officer

A co-founder of APKD, Dr. Rees and his father designed the first software prototype that matched willing but incompatible kidney donor and recipient pairs.

Michael A. Rees, MD, PhD

Together with his father, a computer programmer, Dr. Rees designed the first prototype of a computer program that matched willing but incompatible kidney donor and recipient pairs. Six years later, he helped found the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation. In addition to his role with the APKD, Dr. Rees serves as a professor in the Department of Urology, director of renal transplantation and transplant surgeon at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Dr. Rees earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan then completed a three-year fellowship in transplantation at the University of Cambridge, where he completed research for a PhD in immunology.

Susan Rees, RN, BSN

Chief Operating Officer

Sue uses her experience and passion for using innovative solutions to improve the lives of patients and give them the gift of more time with their families.

Chief Operating Officer

Susan Rees, RN, BSN, has a passion for using innovative solutions to improve the lives of patients and give them the gift of more time with their families. She has over 25 years of experience helping to save lives through organ donation and transplantation and currently serves as the interim executive director of the APKD. Previously, Susan served as the project director for the Options Post-Transplantation for a New Start program. OPT was a program that sought to provide an opportunity for kidney transplant recipients to receive a post-secondary education.

Susan is a registered nurse with an additional Bachelor of Science in nursing from Mercy College of Ohio and the University of Toledo. She has participated in clinical research, published abstracts, and co-authored a case study and numerous transplantation journal articles. Susan says she couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the transplantation community. “Seeing people who are struggling and being able to help them. Seeing loved ones who want to donate their kidney to a stranger or an intended recipient just to save a life. That’s motivating.”

Robert Green, PhD

Chief Information
Officer

Rob has made it his personal mission to leverage his unique background to positively impact as many lives as possible through the proper use of technology and data analysis.

Chief Information Officer

Robert Green, PhD, has positively impacted the work of the APKD through his love of solving problems through code. Rob has made it his personal mission to leverage his unique and expansive background to positively impact as many lives as possible through the proper use of technology and analysis of data. He currently serves as an associate professor of computer science at Bowling Green State University and has held a variety of roles throughout his career, ranging from software engineer to director of wind and solar research.

 

Rob earned his Bachelor of Science in computer science and applied mathematics from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He received his Master of Science in computer science with a focus in operations research from Bowling Green State University and his PhD in engineering from the University of Toledo. While his core research expertise is in computational intelligence and high-performance computing, his current focus is on developing methods to improve kidney transplantation practices. “I want my work, my research, to make a real difference in the real world. Focusing on kidney transplantation and exchange with the APKD allows me to do just that.”

Atul Agnihotri

Chief Growth
Officer

Atul’s 20+ years of global leadership experience in a Fortune 500 company plays an integral role in promoting the APKD’s kidney-matching platform around the world.

Chief Growth Officer

Atul Agnihotri’s 20+ years of global leadership experience in a Fortune 500 company plays an integral role in promoting the APKD’s kidney-matching platform around the world. Recently, Atul helped facilitate a historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that led to a series of kidney transplants that saved the lives of three women in the two countries. This first-ever exchange between Israel and an Arab state is the outcome of months of behind-the-scenes work by the APKD, the UAE Organ Donation and Transplant Committee and the Israel Center for Transplantation.

 

While Atul’s business acumen is the backbone of the APKD’s recent global success, his personal experience as a kidney recipient fuels his passion to help others as a member of the team. “You are not only working for patients, but you are working with people who have the same intent, same passion, same enthusiasm as you do.”

Betty Crandall

Transplant Admin
Relationships Director

Betty is an experienced transplant administrator who helps the APKD foster and build relationships with transplant centers across the country.

Director Center Administrative Relationships

Betty Crandall, MS, RN, is an experienced transplant administrator who helps the APKD foster and build relationships with transplant centers across the country. During her nearly 30 years in the field of organ transplantation, Betty has worked with three transplant programs: The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center in Baltimore; Sentara Transplant Center in Norfolk, Virginia; and most recently, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Additionally, she’s assisted transplant programs throughout the country as an independent consultant or on a peer review committee and served on numerous committees for the United Network for Organ Sharing and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

 

Before joining the APKD, Betty helped the organization establish the original SAC fees, or charges developed for each type of organ, and became well-acquainted with its lifesaving mission. “Through paired donation, people can give the greatest gift of life while they are living; you can truly change and extend someone’s life.”

Rizza Loveranes

Transplant Center
Liaison

Rizza brings a positive outlook and over four years of experience in organ and tissue donation to the APKD.

Transplant Center Liaison

Rizza Loveranes brings a positive outlook and over four years of experience in organ and tissue donation to the APKD. Rizza started her career at an organ procurement organization with a primary focus in tissue recovery administration before transitioning to a quality and regulatory affairs position. She holds an undergraduate degree in healthcare administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and a Master of Business Administration with a focus in executive leadership from Ohio University in Athens. Additionally, Rizza holds designations as a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist through the American Association of Tissue Banks and a Certified Quality Internal Auditor through the American Society for Quality. Through passion, teamwork and innovation, she believes we can all help end the wait for lifesaving organs. “To be able to witness transplantation and impact change in someone’s life has been gratifying and fulfilling.”

Elizabeth Sherrill

Donor Protection
Program Coordinator

Elizabeth is passionate about using the science of data management to solve problems for people and communities.

Donor Protection Program Coordinator

Elizabeth Sherrill is passionate about using the science of data management to solve problems for people and communities. Elizabeth holds degrees in anthropology, geography and climatology from the University of Georgia in Athens. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, swimming and reading. Elizabeth says she is excited to bring her considerable organizational skills to the APKD and its lifesaving mission. “I was excited to join the APKD team because of all the wonderful things they do for people.”

Krista Sweeney

Transplant
Coordinator

Krista’s desire to help others led her on a journey to the APKD and the field of organ transplantation.

Transplant Coordinator

Krista Sweeney’s desire to help others led her on a journey to the APKD and the field of organ transplantation. Before coming to the APKD, Sweeney spent the majority of her career facilitating learning and growth amongst troubled youth and students with exceptionalities. Instead of growing minds, she says she now uses her background to help save lives. Sweeney earned a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Toledo. During her master’s course work and field experience, she learned how to lead people in a productive and positive manner. Of working with living donors and transplant recipients, Sweeney says there is no “I” in team, and that stands true for the APKD.

Natalie Simmons

Administrator

Natalie is known among the APKD team as the fearless administrator who keeps everything running smoothly.

Administrator

Natalie Simmons is known among the APKD as the fearless administrator who keeps everything organized and running smoothly. In this role, Natalie handles a million tiny details each day and works closely with the APKD’s chief executive and clinical team members. She also assists with the coordination of various activities, meetings, conferences and workshops. Natalie earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Bowling Green State University. She taught kindergarten for four years before serving another four years as director and administrator of a childcare center. “Working with the APKD has allowed me to follow both my passions, for administration and education, as our team works to raise awareness for kidney paired donation and give others a second chance at life.”

James Vince

Sr. Software Developer

James works with the information technology team to improve APKD’s software, which helps match living donors to waiting recipients.

Senior Software Developer

James Vince works with the IT team to improve and maintain the APKD’s web application, which helps match living donors to waiting recipients. James earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering at the University of Toledo. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and spending time outdoors. James says he’s grateful to be able to use his skill set to help secure a living donor kidney transplant for every patient who needs one. “It’s so fulfilling to work for a nonprofit like the APKD, where the primary goal is to get people the lifesaving help they need.”

Jason Ryan

Software Developer

Jason comes to the APKD from an information security company where he gained valuable information techology experience.

Software Developer

Jason Ryan comes to the APKD from an information security consulting company where he gained experience helping with IT desktop support, advanced Excel spreadsheets and software development. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science at Kent State University. In his free time, he likes to cook, play music, and spend time with his wife and three kids. Jason also loves to train for and compete in road races. Through his work with the APKD, he is able to combine his skills and his dedication to helping others.  “It feels special that I can use my passion for software to help people and even more so knowing the meaning and importance of what we do.”

Kate Sherrill

Graphic Artist

Kate Sherrill considers it a privilege to be able to use her passion for design to help save lives through paired kidney donation.

Graphic Artist

Kate Sherrill considers it a privilege to be able to use her passion for design to help save lives through paired kidney donation. She has worked as a professional artist and designer for over 20 years, including roles as a graphic artist, surface designer and published illustrator. In addition to her work with the APKD, she is a licensed artist and enjoys working in chalk pastel, oil and watercolor. Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts. A mother of two college students, she lives with her husband and their beagle Murphy. Kate says she loves using her design skills “to help others learn about paired kidney donation and its ability to give patients and their loved ones another option for giving and receiving the gift of life.” 

Shridhar Hanchinal

india leader

Shridhar leads APKD efforts in India to increase the number of lives saved through kidney paired donation.

India Leader

Shridhar leads APKD efforts in India to increase the number of lives saved through paired kidney donation. He joined APKD in 2021 after amassing over 30 years of experience in a global pharmaceutical company’s immunology and transplant division.

Throughout his career and into retirement, Shridhar has followed his passion for promoting organ donation and increasing access to transplants. He has worked closely with transplant centers and key thought leaders in India, developed patient support programs and strategies for marketing original products for post-transplant care, and served as a key participant in local, national and international transplant congresses. Shridhar has worked closely with NGOs and organized donation awareness programs, such as SWAP and ABOi, to provide solutions for patients suffering from critical organ failures. He is delighted to serve APKD by enhancing policies and implementing paired kidney donation best practices across India’s transplant community.

Rachael Glas

Patient Services Coordinator

Rachael Glas joins the APKD team with over 14 years of nursing experience, spending most of that time specializing in oncology.

Project Manager

Rachael Glas joins the APKD team with over 14 years of nursing experience, spending most of that time specializing in oncology. Rachael is a Northwest Ohio native and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hope College. Rachael’s passion for supporting and educating patients through their treatment journey led her to APKD; “I’m looking forward to the many rewarding aspects of the transplant community and am excited to join the team!”