Joan Benz

Joan brings over a decade of nonprofit experience with a health-based organization to Sharp Again Naturally. As Program  Coordinator, she assists the executive director, board members and health coaches with the coordination of our webinars, coaching groups and meditation programs.

As the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, Joan knows how a disease can affect an individual as well as their family and friends. As a niece, she watched as the rapid cognitive decline of her vibrant and fun-loving aunt turned her into a confused and often frightened shadow of her former self. Joan believes that creating community support is key to living a good life despite the effects of chronic and debilitating illnesses.

As Outreach Manager for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Joan organized, developed, and expanded the type 1 diabetes community engagement/outreach program for JDRF to activate constituent engagement in fundraising, volunteering and advocacy. Working with the staff and volunteers, she helped to increase JDRF’s presence in the community and to identify opportunities to engage outreach prospects in chapter programming and fundraising—skills she now brings to her position at Sharp Again Naturally.

Joan spends her free time reading, doing NY Times crossword puzzles, and sewing: all things that keep her mind active.