The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to announce the election of longtime volunteer Shauna McGee to its board of directors for the California Central Coast Chapter.
McGee was born and raised in Ventura, where she has deep roots in a family of entrepreneurs going back to the 1940’s. As a young adult, she helped her parents run their family gourmet kitchen supply business, Toby’s Kitchen Store, a local landmark for 20 years.
She graduated college in the Bay Area and worked as a marketing and project manager for several years, returning to Ventura in 2013 after her parents passed away.
Upon her return, McGee’s dedication to serving her community led her to join a committee for the Ventura faction of the Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative. Following this, she joined a variety of additional local committees for the Alzheimer’s Association, including The Longest Day® and Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in East and West Ventura County. In 2023, McGee is serving as co-chair of the West Ventura County Walk to End Alzheimer’s to be held on Saturday, September 23rd.
Her advocacy work for the Association expanded six years ago to volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement as both a state and federal advocate, meeting with legislators across the country and working to introduce and pass various legislation and funding requests to fight this disease.
Most recently, Shauna met with Congresswoman Julia Brownley to advocate for increased patient access to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments, which are currently being severely restricted by Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services.
McGee’s strong desire to volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association stems from her personal family connection to the disease.
“I have lost my grandmother and great aunt to this disease, so to say I’m invested in helping find the first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease is an understatement,” she said.
“As a board member, I hope to ensure the Alzheimer’s Association is successful in its mission to make Alzheimer’s history,” said McGee.
In Ventura County, over 9,000 people are living with the disease, expected to increase to 16,758 by 2040. It is the third leading cause of death within the county.
“Shauna has dedicated an incredible amount of time, passion and work for this cause,” said Executive Director Lindsey Leonard, Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter. “We are grateful to have such a committed member of our Ventura community join our board and continue to make great strides towards our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. The California Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For more information, visit alz.org/CaCentralCoast or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
