Stephanie Heape-Reller, MHA
president
With a passion for advocacy, Stephanie joined DSN to support patients and caregivers like herself. While advocating for her children in 2011, she found few resources to help her understand dysautonomia and Ehlers-Danlos (EDS) and is committed to making sure other caregivers and patients have the most accurate and up to date resources. Stephanie joined the Board of Directors in 2023 as the Secretary of the Board and served as the Vice President of the Board in 2024 and was elected President of the Board of Directors in 2025. With experience in healthcare administration, she collaborates with DSN volunteers on project management, marketing and strategic business planning. Stephanie graduated from The College of Charleston with a Bachelors of Art in Political Science. She also holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Joanna Behm, EdD, OTR/L
vice president
A patient with hyperadrenergic POTS, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and hypermobile EDS herself, Joanna Behm, EdD, MS, OTR/L, COMT, CDP is passionate about helping others integrate lifestyle adaptations into their routines so they can live their best lives. Joanna has been on the Board of Directors since 2017 and involved with DSN in multiple capacities since 2014. Joanna and her team create educational content for patient handbooks. Joanna is an occupational therapist and Assistant Professor at Messiah University’s Master of Occupational Therapy Program. Joanna is passionate about researching and advancing occupational therapy’s role in treating dysautonomia. Joanna has a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy from Elizabethtown College and earned her Doctorate of Education at Northeastern University.
ashley collins
treasurer
Living with EDS, MCAS, POTS, and various comorbidities, Ashley has adjusted her life and career to take on various passion projects, helping people and organizations like DSN reach their visions and financial goals. Ashley joined the board of DSN in 2019. As the Treasurer of DSN, she has improved the financial reporting processes and assisted in fundraising and rebranding efforts. Ashley is a seasoned finance professional who began her career running a branch of Vector Marketing. Eventually, Ashley joined a group of real estate firms, working in property sales, investment analysis, acquisition, capital management and lending, financial reporting, investor relations, and property management. Ashley rose to be part-owner and President of Boston Property Management in 2009 and graduated magna cum laude from Babson College.