The Team

Throughout her career, Peggy Ann Torney has dedicated herself to serving those most in need. Her unwavering commitment to community engagement, health equity, and patient empowerment has been the cornerstone of her leadership and has helped organizations drive meaningful social change. 

Peggy Ann joined the MDS Foundation as Chief Executive Officer in 2025. She brings not just a unique blend of scientific understanding, strategic communications, and patient advocacy, but a deeply held belief that every patient and loved one deserves access to the best possible care and support, which uniquely positions her to advance the MDS Foundation's mission of supporting patients, families, and healthcare professionals in the fight against myelodysplastic syndromes.

Prior to joining the MDS Foundation, Peggy Ann served as Vice President of Communications at Murmuration where she leveraged data-driven strategies to amplify civic engagement and create pathways for healthier, more equitable communities across the country. She also spent nearly a decade as the Chief Strategy, Communications, and Engagement Officer at the Lymphoma Research Foundation where she championed patient education and advocacy while addressing critical healthcare disparities. 

Peggy Ann is committed to making knowledge accessible to all, and her multifaceted expertise also includes developing national science curricula at Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, telling compelling stories as a news producer at MSNBC, and raising the profile of nonprofit brands. Her genuine passion for connecting with diverse audiences has enabled her to transform complex ideas into clear, meaningful insights that empower people to have the information they need to make the best decisions for their futures. She holds a bachelor's degree from Fordham University and a master's degree from Columbia University School of Journalism.

Tanya joined the MDS Foundation in 2022 to oversee the development and fundraising needs of the organization. She develops and implements effective fundraising initiatives to increase overall short and long-term donations to the MDS Foundation, including major and planned gifts. Tanya works in conjunction with the organization’s Development Board, Board of Directors, Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, internal MDSF team, and external patient and family volunteers to identify and cultivate relationships with prospects and donors, identify potential grant opportunities, and secure donations to carry out the mission and vision of the foundation to make potentially curative therapies available for all patients with MDS. Tanya also assists the marketing team with the organization’s branding and public relations strategies.

Ashley graduated from Austin Peay State University in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in leadership studies. Her dedication has been to oncology from the start. She began her career as an infusion nurse at a local outpatient oncology clinic. She made the transition from outpatient to inpatient nursing at Centennial Medical Center in 2013 where she worked on the hematology/BMT floor. Ashley then accepted a position on Vanderbilt’s inpatient myelosuppression unit in 2015. In 2017 she joined the hematology research team where she mainly focused on Phase II/III trials. Ashley’s love of details led her to transition to Phase I hematology trials after about a year in the research department. After five years, she transitioned to her most recent position as the Manager of Research Projects for Malignant Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Toxicity, and Plasma-Cell Lymphoma.

Outside of work, Ashley serves as the Secretary for the Middle TN chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). During her tenure with the society, she has published abstracts to include The Need for Paper in an EMR Based System in 2020. In addition to the collaboration with pharmaceutical companies in the realm of research, she has done consultant work for Celgene, the Cancer Support Community, and Taiho with a focus on improving the patient experience. Ashley first became affiliated with the MDS Foundation in 2019 when she spoke at their patient forum in Nashville. She knew immediately that she wanted to be part of this team. Ashley was honored to be selected to be on the MDS Foundation Nurse Leadership Board in 2020. In October of 2022, she was selected as the recipient for the foundation’s Compassionate Care Award which she considers one of the highlights of her career. Ashley is very excited to start this new journey and looks forward to being able to contribute the MDS population at large to include patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers in this new role.

Lisa joined the MDS Foundation in 2024 to oversee the foundation’s marketing initiatives and organize the annual Move for MDS walks around the US. Lisa develops and implements the marketing strategy for each of the foundation’s programs, projects and fundraising initiatives, and works with the internal team and external partners to make sure we are providing the most up-to-date information to our patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and the MDS community at large.  Lisa serves as the MDSF representative at all domestic and international conferences and maintains the organization’s annual event schedule.   

Lea joined the Foundation in 2001. Lea manages all aspects of professional education including CME and Non-CME educational programs, live symposia, podcasts, educational meetings and our biennial international MDS congress. She also coordinates our Young Investigator Grant program. In addition to her professional education responsibilities, Lea is also responsible for several patient educational projects such as Knowledge is Power, MDS & MDSF mobile apps, Building Blocks of Hope® as well as translation of our educational resources.

Janice joined the Foundation in 2008 and is primarily responsible for enhancing communications with our patient community regarding registration for patient events and coordination of philanthropic support through her organization and management of our contact database. Janice is responsible for the coordination, quality control, and production of printed and electronic Foundation materials; she manages the patient educational initiatives executed by our MDS Foundation International Nurse Leadership Board; and is the Secretary for our Board of Directors.

Shana joined the MDS Foundation in 2025 as Marketing Coordinator. Shana will assist the Marketing Director with the Foundation’s marketing initiatives, assists in the planning of Move for MDS 5K awareness walks, secures adequate sponsorship for events, and manages the Foundation’s annual conference schedule and logistics. Shana works in conjunction with the organization’s internal MDSF team, and businesses, corporations, hospitals, or individuals to identify and cultivate relationships with donors and secures sponsorship to carry out the mission and vision of the foundation.