Leadership

Steven A. Barbieri worked for Wells Fargo Bank for 32 years serving as the Vice President & District Manager. Steven was responsible for the largest district in California with 12 branches, 250 employees, and a $1.6 billion deposit base. As NCDM President, Steven is engaged in nationwide educational and advocacy efforts and is an experienced fundraiser. Steven has also proudly participated in several clinical trials. Most notably, Steven is an accomplished martial artist inducted into the Elite Black Belt Hall of Fame. Steven enjoys world travel with his wife and three children. He was diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in 2011. He is currently a member of several Dementia Minds groups.

Steven lives in Meridian, Idaho.

Monica Downer is a graduate of Georgia State University and was a dedicated special education teacher for 19 years. With NCDM, Monica continues to capitalize on her educational skills as a national dementia educator and advocate. She works tirelessly to debunk the stigma and myths associated with dementia, especially the myth that only older people get dementia. Monica is an avid reader and enjoys cooking. She is married and has two sons. Monica was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) with moderate memory loss in 2016 at the age of 45. She is an active member of NCDM’s Black Dementia Minds group.

Monica lives in Winder, Georgia

Arnold (Arnie) Beresh, DPM, is a former podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon. Throughout his career, Arnie served in a variety of leadership roles including as a fellow to the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and National Board of Podiatry Examiners, and as president of the Virginia Podiatric Medical Association. Arnie utilizes his leadership skills as a state and national dementia advocate and educator. He monitors drug trials and research and provides expert testimony at the state and national levels. Arnie is particularly passionate about educating future medical providers about dementia. He is also known for both his humor and generosity. He and his wife have had a life-long love for pets and now enjoy a variety of animatronic pets. In 2015, Arnie was diagnosed with MCI and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) at the age of 62. In 2022, he was diagnosed with mixed dementia. He is currently a member of several Dementia Minds groups.

Arnie lives in White Lake, Michigan.

Kelli Miller is a retired registered nurse with 35 years of experience, including neurology, surgical ICU, triage, mother-newborn, gastroenterology procedures, and trauma. Her medical career kept her constantly learning and never bored, and best of all, supported her cherished role as a wife and mother. Kelli and her husband have been married for 35 years, and they love spending time with their five adult children and two grandchildren. Kelli’s faith in Christ is her comfort and motivation to serve others. In 2022, Kelli was diagnosed with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s, a diagnosis she shares with her mother and great-grandmother.  Kelli is dedicated to providing education and peer support as she inspires communities to change perceptions and improve quality of life for persons living with dementia. Kelli is a member of NCDM’s MythBusters group. 

Kelli lives in Billings, Montana.

Linda Brewster dedicated over 40 years to early childhood education, founding 14 development centers that included infant care as well as before- and after-school programs. With a background in child psychology, she played a key role in shaping state standards and teaching practices. Following her retirement, Linda continued to contribute professionally, serving for three years as a human resources psychologist. Since being diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in 2021, Linda has become a passionate advocate for living well with dementia. Today, Linda uses her voice to challenge stigma and raise awareness as a member of NCDM’s MythBusters group. 

Linda lives in Gillette, Wyoming.

Dona Denham is a retired Vice President of Accounting with a degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Lewy Body Disease at age 48, she now advocates nationally on behalf of people living with dementia. Dona’s work focuses on raising awareness about the diagnostic challenges faced by individuals facing cognitive change who are not older adults, and she is passionate about highlighting the many ways people continue to live meaningful, fulfilling lives after a dementia diagnosis. Dona enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, and cooking, and takes great pride in her roles as a mother and grandmother. She is an active member of NCDM’s Sisters of the Dragonfly group. 

Dona lives in Albertville, Alabama.