Our Team

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Ryan MacDonell

Co-Founder, President

Ryan is the President of the MacDonell Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research and resources. His commitment to this mission is rooted in personal experience—his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2018 profoundly shaped his life and inspired his advocacy. In addition to leading the foundation, Ryan serves on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association – Long Island Chapter, where he works to advance awareness, support, and hope for families navigating dementia.

Professionally, Ryan is a personal estate and business advisor, serving business owners, affluent individuals, and families facing the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s or dementia. His dual roles allow him to blend financial expertise with a passion for improving lives touched by memory loss.

When he’s not working or advocating, Ryan enjoys golfing, fitness, and time with his friends and family.

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Erin Delaney

Co-Founder, Vice president

Erin serves as Vice President of The MacDonell Foundation, where she helps lead the organization’s mission to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research and support resources. Professionally, Erin works as a Physician Assistant, bringing compassion and clinical expertise to her patients every day.

Like her brother Ryan, Erin has a deep-rooted and personal connection to Alzheimer’s, shaped by their family’s own journey with the disease. This experience has fueled her commitment to advocacy, education, and supporting families navigating the challenges of memory loss.

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Board Member

As a member of the board of directors, James brings valuable experience from the nonprofit sector through his work with the Sgt. James P. Bast Foundation, which provides local scholarships in honor of his late father’s legacy of service. His dedication to community impact is deeply rooted in both his personal and professional life.

Outside of his nonprofit work, James serves as a Police Officer with the New York City Police Department. His commitment to public service – both in uniform and through philanthropy – underscores his passion for supporting others and strengthening the communities he serves.

James Bast

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Director of Morale

Denny is the newest member of the MacDonell Foundation. His sole responsibility is to keep the rest of us sane – a job he has excelled at since day one. We briefly attempted to let him handle our email and phone communications, but feedback from our patrons suggested that his skill set is better suited for smiles, naps, and general morale-boosting.

Dennis Scott Delaney