Announcing AST Staff Leadership Changes Effective October 1, 2014

Effective October 1, Susan Nelson will retire as Executive Vice President of the AST after 20 years of service. Ms. Nelson will assume an emeritus role behind the scenes, helping to facilitate the transition of leadership until her departure on December 3.

Libby McDannell, Executive Director of the AST, will step into the role of Executive Vice President as of October 1, and Leslie Clark will join the team as the AST’s Executive Director.

Both Ms. Nelson and Ms. McDannell note that they look forward to the exciting future of the AST. “AST is again on the cusp of remarkable change," said Ms. Nelson. "There’s a lot of hard work ahead, and I can’t think of anyone better to help facilitate this new era than Libby McDannell, whose vision and skill will serve the AST well going forward." Ms. Nelson noted that Ms. McDannell is uniquely qualified for her new role having been Executive Director of the AST since 2009. Ms. McDannell sees herself as a steward for the society. "My goal is to facilitate visionary thinking and help create a culture of possibilities, forming a tight fit around our mission and purpose," she said.

Ms. Clark is a new addition to the AST staff, previously working as Assistant Executive Director for the Society for Biomaterials and the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. "I am looking forward to working with the AST," said Ms. Clark. "The Society is making a real difference in patients' lives on both the local and national levels, and the educational opportunities it provides are outstanding. I hope to have many productive years working with this organization."