About DMEC

Leadership and Staff

Contact Information

DISABILITY MANAGEMENT EMPLOYER COALITION

5173 Waring Road., Suite 134
San Diego, CA 92120-2705
Phone: 800.789.3632
Fax: 877.789.3632
Email: info@dmec.org

DMEC Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Vice President, Operations

Benchmarking

Director, Benchmarking and Research

Conferences

Senior Conferences Manager

Conferences Manager

Education

Director, Education Programs

Senior Education Manager

Experiential Learning Manager

Virtual Events Manager

Education Programs Associate

Finance

Director of Finance

IT & Customer Support

IT Operations Manager

Customer and Accounting Support Specialist

membership, marketing & Communications

Director of Membership, Marketing, and Communications

Marketing Manager

Communications Manager

Business Development Associate

Membership Manager

Bryon Bass
Bryon Bass, CLMS
Chief Executive Officer

Bryon joined DMEC in 2023. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the absence and disability management industry. He was previously Senior Vice President, Workforce Absence and Disability Practice Leader for Sedgwick where he oversaw disability and absence management product strategy, innovation, standards and compliance, and product line best practices. He also worked in a variety of absence and disability management roles for employers across a broad range of industries. Bryon assumed the role of CEO in 2024 and provides strategic executive leadership for the association and oversee all association activities.

Bryon holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is a Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS).

LeAnn Swanson
Vice President, Operations

LeAnn Swanson joined DMEC in 2024. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the role, having worked in a variety of organizations including government, hospitals, associations, and higher education. She has served the past 18 years in the non-profit sector, helping organizations achieve their mission, vision, strategic, operational, and financial goals. LeAnn is responsible for driving operational excellence and fostering continuous innovation across all functions at DMEC.

She holds a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science in health education from Northern Arizona University.

Deborah LaBonar, PhD
Director, Benchmarking and Research

Deborah joined DMEC in November 2024 and brings more than 20 years of experience developing data-driven strategies for organizations in the disability and absence management field to this role. She has a deep base of knowledge and practical experience in this realm, including leave policy design, implementation of reporting platforms, and managing teams of absence analytics subject matter experts.

As director of benchmarking and research, Deborah will shape the organization’s research and benchmarking philosophy and advance the field with innovative data collection initiatives and leading-edge research.

Prior to joining DMEC, Deborah was a vice president on Aon’s Time Away and Life Solutions Practice, leading consulting projects related to the spectrum of leave plans and policies. Before returning to Aon in 2018, Deborah was the North American Analytics leader for the Reed Group, where she was responsible for analytic consulting and measurement. In this role, Deborah helped employers understand program outcomes and how they influenced their businesses. By tapping into her absence management expertise and familiarity with call center environments, Deborah regularly delivered client savings, including the recovery of 20% to 30% of lost employee time.

Deborah earned a PhD and master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Purdue University, has presented at numerous industry conferences, including DMEC, the National Business Group on Health, the Integrated Benefits Institute, and the Society of Industrial Psychology. She has published several peer reviewed journal articles and white papers.

JoAnne Spitale
JoAnne Spitale, MS, DES
Senior Conferences Manager

JoAnne joined DMEC in 2009. She has over 20 years of experience, including all aspects of meeting planning, in the association meeting planning industry. She particularly enjoys meeting logistics and onsite management. JoAnne is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of DMEC’s face-to-face and virtual conferences.

JoAnne holds a BA and MS from High Point University and earned her DES Digital Event Specialist credential in April 2018.

Stephanie Kappus
Stephanie Kappus, CMP
Conferences Manager

Stephanie joined DMEC in 2022. She brings more than eight years of hands-on program management and conference planning experience within the educational and nonprofit association sectors. Stephanie is responsible for the successful planning and implementation of DMEC’s face-to-face and virtual conferences.

Stephanie earned a BS in Tourism, Convention, and Event Management from Indianapolis University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

Kristin Jones
Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP
Director, Education Programs

Kristin joined DMEC in 2017. She has over 10 years of experience in human resources and training in the for-profit sector.  Kristin most recently served as the HR Manager for a manufacturing facility, overseeing all aspects of the location’s human resources program and leave management. Kristin is responsible for the strategic development, management, and delivery of educational programming for DMEC’s education and training programs

Kristin holds a BS in Communications from Missouri State University, and is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). She is also a certified training facilitator for both Development Dimensions International (DDI) and Thomas International PPA+.

Jess Dudley
Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM
Senior Education Manager

Jess joined DMEC in 2022. She has a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in integrated disability and absence management and is a subject matter expert on the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, short-term disability, long-term disability, and workers’ compensation. Jess is responsible for the development and delivery of DMEC’s educational events, products, and services.

Jess holds a BA in Media Arts and Leadership from Metropolitan State University and is a Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) and Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM).

Laura Boll
Laura Boll
Experiential Learning Manager

Laura joined DMEC in 2024. She has five years of experience developing training material and facilitating training in the Absence Management field including FMLA, Disability and ADA, in addition to twenty years of experience training a variety of audiences, both in person and virtually. Laura serves as the subject matter expert in the development of DMEC’s online training content. She is responsible for providing in-depth expertise in absence and disability management topics to shape and develop training products.

Laura holds a BA in sociology from Indiana University and has completed the ATD Master Instructional Designer Program. She holds the Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) designation.

Cindy Espe
Cindy Espe
Virtual Events Manager

Cindy joined DMEC in 2013. She contributes a strong administrative and technical background from a variety of industries. Her experience includes CRM database administration, business systems integration, event planning, and executive support. Her logistical strengths and organizational skills make her well-equipped to administer DMEC’s online educational events. This includes managing the technical details for DMEC webinars as well as working with National sponsors and presenters to ensure a seamless and successful webinar program.

Jai Hooker
Jai Hooker
Education Programs Associate

Jai joined DMEC in 2020. She has several years of coordination and management experience in the architectural, motorcoach and drug court association industries and extensive experience working as a liaison to boards, committees/councils, and executive staff. She is responsible for supporting the DMEC Education Team, DMEC events, and other association activities.

Marthanne Gershman
Marthanne Gershman
Director of Finance

Marthanne joined DMEC in 2022. She has over 25 years of experience managing finance and accounting activities for a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations. Marthanne is responsible for managing accounting and finance operations for DMEC.

Marthanne holds a BS in Accounting from Russell Sage College.

Lisa Jorgenson
Lisa Jorgenson
IT Operations Manager

Lisa rejoined DMEC in 2022. She brings over 12 years of experience in data management and CRM application development, with more than five years of experience managing non-profit association membership systems. Lisa is responsible for the management and maintenance of DMEC’s database and related IT systems.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Information Systems from Saint Cloud State University.

Dominica Vargo
Dominica Vargo, CLMS
Customer and Accounting Support Specialist

Dominica joined DMEC in 2017. She brings over 20 years of experience in customer service, process improvement, and database administration. She is responsible for providing technical support for DMEC members, events, and education programs, as well as assisting with daily accounting activities.

Dominica is a Customer Service & Sales Certified Specialist, an Office Specialist, and has completed the NorthStar Digital Literacy course.

Jennifer Czajka
Director of Membership, Marketing, and Communications

Jennifer joined DMEC in 2024. She has more than 15 years of experience in member services, marketing, and product management. Jennifer is responsible for planning and directing of all strategic membership, marketing, communication, and business development initiatives for DMEC.

Jennifer holds a BS in psychology from Loyola University.

Alicia Pilmore
Marketing Manager

Alicia joined DMEC in 2024. She has nearly a decade of experience in communications and marketing. She is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that create increased brand awareness of membership and educational products.

Alicia holds a BA in Public Relations from Eastern Michigan University and an MA in Communication from Michigan State University.

Heather Grimshaw
Heather Grimshaw
Communications Manager

Heather joined DMEC in 2021. She has specialized in healthcare communications for human and veterinary medicine for more than 20 years. Heather has worked with and managed all types of communications — from award-winning magazines to newspapers and emails, websites, podcasts, and videos — and was drawn to the field to justify an insatiable curiosity about people and what inspires them. She is responsible for developing DMEC’s external communications and content including @Work magazine, blogs, podcasts, social media posts, and more.

Heather holds a BA in Communications and Political Science from Simmons College.

Jennifer Pike
Jennifer Pike, CLMS
Business Development Associate

Jennifer joined DMEC in 2016. She brings nearly 20 years of integrated marketing and sales experience in both non-profit and for-profit industries, including positions in the performing arts and managed IT services. Jennifer is responsible for the business development activities for various DMEC products, events and programs, manages @Work magazine advertising, and supports several DMEC volunteer groups throughout the year.

Jennifer holds a BA in Consumer Sciences with a minor in Fine Arts from Central Washington University.

Trish Borzon
Trish Borzon
Membership Manager

Trish joined DMEC in 2024. She brings over 20 years of experience in membership and community management. She has stood up new member onboarding processes, launched member referral programs, and created engaging online community strategies. She has helped manage AMS databases and led organizations through community platform transitions.

Trish holds a BA in Professional Communications from Alverno College. 

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Lindsay Lueken

VP, Disability & Leave Operations

BROADSPIRE

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Seth Turner, Chief Strategy Officer
Seth Turner

Chief Strategy Officer

ABSENCESOFT

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