Chapter President: Jennifer Perks
Jennifer joined the board in January 2020 and brings with her over 20 years of public service experience. Jennifer hopes to use her education and experience to improve the lives of those affected by Huntington’s disease and create a more promising future for HD families. A few years ago, Jennifer had very little knowledge about HD and had only heard the term “Huntington’s disease” a few times. She had an instant personal connection when a close family member was diagnosed. She managed her grief through her immediate desire to “do something”. Jennifer is honored to have this opportunity to serve the HD community and is eager to help generate awareness through education and fundraising.
Chapter Vice President: Jasmine Demers
Jasmine is a journalist who has served on the HDSA Arizona Board of Directors since 2020. Her grandmother passed away from HD two years ago and her dad is in the mid-stages of the disease. In 2019, Jasmine produced a documentary called "42 Repeats," which highlights her family's multigenerational battle with HD as well as her journey to get tested for the gene. This marked the beginning of what she describes as an internal call to action — a self-appointed duty to fight for her family and the thousands of other families who are impacted by HD.
Chapter Treasurer: Amie Williams
Amie Williams has been a volunteer with the Arizona HDSA Chapter since 2019, in January 2025 she took on the role of Treasurer. Amie has been a resident of Arizona for 20 years. She has spent the past twenty years enjoying her career with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and is currently a Captain with the agency. She holds a Masters degree in Public Administration and Administrative Studies with an emphasis on health care administration, a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, and is a Certified Public Manager. Amie has spent many years volunteering at her children's school while they were growing up and spent a lot of time working to raise funds for their various school needs and sporting events. She enjoys working on projects and helping in any way to help create more efficiencies and workflows to help those around her. Amie has strong skills in process development and project management and uses those skills to assist others professionally and personally whenever possible.
Chapter Secretary: Justine McDowell
As a dedicated clinician with over 15 years of experience, I bring a deep understanding of integrated care, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities, and the Social Determinants of Health. My approach is rooted in empathy, always meeting individuals where they are in their unique journeys. I am passionate about fostering collaboration, accountability, and strengthening team dynamics through open communication and servant leadership. I see feedback as a valuable tool for growth, both personally and professionally. With a strong commitment to training, project management, and continuous improvement, I am always seeking new opportunities to expand my skills and contribute to initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes, positively impacting the communities we serve.
Advocacy is at the core of my professional and personal values. As responsible stewards of our community, I believe in the importance of raising awareness and supporting research efforts. Huntington’s Disease directly affects the lives of those I hold close, making this cause particularly meaningful to me. Volunteering with the HDSA allows me to channel my passion for advocacy into actionable change, helping to advance knowledge and support those impacted by HD.
Board Member: Courtney Furgeson
I am so excited to join HDSA's Arizona Chapter!! This disease hits extremely close to me with family members who are HD positive. Up until 6 years ago, I had never heard of Huntington’s disease. Even now, I am still learning about this horrific hereditary disease. By raising awareness and educating the public, we hope to one day find treatments to slow the disease’s progression and eventually find a cure.
Board Member: Kurt Michels
I was born in Kalispell, in beautiful northwest Montana. The first thing I learned from my mom was that I was adopted and my parents got to choose me. I was told my birth mother loved me but was not able to take care of me. She had Huntington's Disease (HD), a degenerative neurologic disorder, and I had a 50% chance of getting it. At the time, I did not want to get the genetic test as I did not want it to rule my life. I met my college sweetheart, Ashlee, at the University of Utah, and then I transferred to Montana State University for my final two years. After graduation, Ashlee and I got married and she moved up to Montana where I continued at MSU earning two Master's degrees in Mathematics and Statistics. Beginning around 2018, I really started to feel off physically. I was having trouble balancing when hiking with my dogs, and other movements weren't quite as smooth as they used to be. I finally realized that I was going to have to face my HD. If I was positive, I wanted to take control and do what I could to slow the process as much as possible. In 2020, I was officially diagnosed and later had the confirmatory genetic test. I have had a great support team here of friends, coworkers, therapists, and doctors that have all helped and continue to help me every day.
Board Member: Chris Ruhl
My family has Huntington’s Disease. The HDSA has been an invaluable resource, helping us through the whole Huntington’s experience. I am grateful that I can serve on the board and help connect the HD community in Tucson.
Board Member: Jeff Demers
When I found out my wife had the Huntington's disease gene, I kept wondering how the universe could be so cruel. To her very core, my wife is kind and loving and good - and she of all people does not deserve this fate. I was devastated. But I quickly turned those feelings into motivation. I wanted to be there for her in whatever way she needed me to be and I wanted to find ways to advocate and educate people about this disease.
Board Member: Gracie Guerrero
Although Gracie is a member without a direct connection to Huntington's Disease, she is driven by her compassion and commitment to serve. Gracie became an advocate and supporter of the Huntington's Disease Society of America's (HDSA) Arizona Chapter. Gracie supports the mission of the HDSA Arizona Chapter: “To improve the lives of everyone affected by Huntington's disease and their families.”
Gracie believes that the HDSA family’s unwavering dedication to the cause serves as an inspiration to others, encouraging greater support and empathy for those navigating the complexities of Huntington's disease. She hopes to continue to play a role in fostering a sense of community and understanding among those impacted by Huntington's disease.
Board Member: Michael Buster
Michael lived in Yuma, AZ until he transferred to ASU. Michael earned a Master’s Degree in European History at American Military University. For 11 years, he taught world history and occasionally economics in the Phoenix Union High School District- at North High School and Cesar Chavez High School. He earned distinction as a National Board Certified teacher early in 2024. He has been an active member of Beloved Community Church in Alhambra (formerly known as Redemption Alhambra) for 11 years. Michael has a wife, a 4-year old son and a 2-year old daughter.
Jennifer joined the board in January 2020 and brings with her over 20 years of public service experience. Jennifer hopes to use her education and experience to improve the lives of those affected by Huntington’s disease and create a more promising future for HD families. A few years ago, Jennifer had very little knowledge about HD and had only heard the term “Huntington’s disease” a few times. She had an instant personal connection when a close family member was diagnosed. She managed her grief through her immediate desire to “do something”. Jennifer is honored to have this opportunity to serve the HD community and is eager to help generate awareness through education and fundraising.
Chapter Vice President: Jasmine Demers
Jasmine is a journalist who has served on the HDSA Arizona Board of Directors since 2020. Her grandmother passed away from HD two years ago and her dad is in the mid-stages of the disease. In 2019, Jasmine produced a documentary called "42 Repeats," which highlights her family's multigenerational battle with HD as well as her journey to get tested for the gene. This marked the beginning of what she describes as an internal call to action — a self-appointed duty to fight for her family and the thousands of other families who are impacted by HD.
Chapter Treasurer: Amie Williams
Amie Williams has been a volunteer with the Arizona HDSA Chapter since 2019, in January 2025 she took on the role of Treasurer. Amie has been a resident of Arizona for 20 years. She has spent the past twenty years enjoying her career with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and is currently a Captain with the agency. She holds a Masters degree in Public Administration and Administrative Studies with an emphasis on health care administration, a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, and is a Certified Public Manager. Amie has spent many years volunteering at her children's school while they were growing up and spent a lot of time working to raise funds for their various school needs and sporting events. She enjoys working on projects and helping in any way to help create more efficiencies and workflows to help those around her. Amie has strong skills in process development and project management and uses those skills to assist others professionally and personally whenever possible.
Chapter Secretary: Justine McDowell
As a dedicated clinician with over 15 years of experience, I bring a deep understanding of integrated care, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities, and the Social Determinants of Health. My approach is rooted in empathy, always meeting individuals where they are in their unique journeys. I am passionate about fostering collaboration, accountability, and strengthening team dynamics through open communication and servant leadership. I see feedback as a valuable tool for growth, both personally and professionally. With a strong commitment to training, project management, and continuous improvement, I am always seeking new opportunities to expand my skills and contribute to initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes, positively impacting the communities we serve.
Advocacy is at the core of my professional and personal values. As responsible stewards of our community, I believe in the importance of raising awareness and supporting research efforts. Huntington’s Disease directly affects the lives of those I hold close, making this cause particularly meaningful to me. Volunteering with the HDSA allows me to channel my passion for advocacy into actionable change, helping to advance knowledge and support those impacted by HD.
Board Member: Courtney Furgeson
I am so excited to join HDSA's Arizona Chapter!! This disease hits extremely close to me with family members who are HD positive. Up until 6 years ago, I had never heard of Huntington’s disease. Even now, I am still learning about this horrific hereditary disease. By raising awareness and educating the public, we hope to one day find treatments to slow the disease’s progression and eventually find a cure.
Board Member: Kurt Michels
I was born in Kalispell, in beautiful northwest Montana. The first thing I learned from my mom was that I was adopted and my parents got to choose me. I was told my birth mother loved me but was not able to take care of me. She had Huntington's Disease (HD), a degenerative neurologic disorder, and I had a 50% chance of getting it. At the time, I did not want to get the genetic test as I did not want it to rule my life. I met my college sweetheart, Ashlee, at the University of Utah, and then I transferred to Montana State University for my final two years. After graduation, Ashlee and I got married and she moved up to Montana where I continued at MSU earning two Master's degrees in Mathematics and Statistics. Beginning around 2018, I really started to feel off physically. I was having trouble balancing when hiking with my dogs, and other movements weren't quite as smooth as they used to be. I finally realized that I was going to have to face my HD. If I was positive, I wanted to take control and do what I could to slow the process as much as possible. In 2020, I was officially diagnosed and later had the confirmatory genetic test. I have had a great support team here of friends, coworkers, therapists, and doctors that have all helped and continue to help me every day.
Board Member: Chris Ruhl
My family has Huntington’s Disease. The HDSA has been an invaluable resource, helping us through the whole Huntington’s experience. I am grateful that I can serve on the board and help connect the HD community in Tucson.
Board Member: Jeff Demers
When I found out my wife had the Huntington's disease gene, I kept wondering how the universe could be so cruel. To her very core, my wife is kind and loving and good - and she of all people does not deserve this fate. I was devastated. But I quickly turned those feelings into motivation. I wanted to be there for her in whatever way she needed me to be and I wanted to find ways to advocate and educate people about this disease.
Board Member: Gracie Guerrero
Although Gracie is a member without a direct connection to Huntington's Disease, she is driven by her compassion and commitment to serve. Gracie became an advocate and supporter of the Huntington's Disease Society of America's (HDSA) Arizona Chapter. Gracie supports the mission of the HDSA Arizona Chapter: “To improve the lives of everyone affected by Huntington's disease and their families.”
Gracie believes that the HDSA family’s unwavering dedication to the cause serves as an inspiration to others, encouraging greater support and empathy for those navigating the complexities of Huntington's disease. She hopes to continue to play a role in fostering a sense of community and understanding among those impacted by Huntington's disease.
Board Member: Michael Buster
Michael lived in Yuma, AZ until he transferred to ASU. Michael earned a Master’s Degree in European History at American Military University. For 11 years, he taught world history and occasionally economics in the Phoenix Union High School District- at North High School and Cesar Chavez High School. He earned distinction as a National Board Certified teacher early in 2024. He has been an active member of Beloved Community Church in Alhambra (formerly known as Redemption Alhambra) for 11 years. Michael has a wife, a 4-year old son and a 2-year old daughter.