Today, The Alliance team proudly announced the recipients of its fifth annual leadership awards, recognizing individuals who have been invaluable in their contributions to Alliance programs that advance the national community of practice. This year, honorees were celebrated during a special in-person ceremony, sponsored by Trinity Medical and Keystone Perfusion, at the National Critical Issues Forum in Atlanta. The Alliance team is proud to recognize and celebrate each honoree’s achievements below.
The Glenn Matsuki Excellence in Mentorship Award honors a leader in the community of practice who supports the future of organ donation and transplantation by providing outstanding mentorship to emerging leaders of our field. Glenn, whom so many in our community were honored to know, was a 27-year heart recipient and longtime member and advocate of the donation and transplantation community. He had a true passion for mentorship and was deeply committed to sharing his insight and professional experience with others.
This year’s recipient is Woodlhey Ambroise, Senior Director of Organ Operations and Surgical Recovery for LifeGift. Woodlhey is a consummate mentor and tireless volunteer with The Alliance Mentorship Program. She has generously dedicated her time and wisdom to guide the next generation of donation professionals, ensuring they are equipped with the tools, perspective, and confidence to succeed. Her mentees consistently highlight her thoughtful leadership, her accessibility, and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Colleagues from across the country congratulated Woodlhey, sharing that her influence extends well beyond her direct mentees, strengthening the broader community of practice with her collaborative spirit and leadership.
The Alliance Rising Leader Award recognizes an outstanding member of The Alliance’s national workgroups and committees. Through proven commitment to advancing the national community of practice, this individual establishes themselves as an emerging leader in the field of organ donation and transplantation.
This year’s honoree is Crystal Yancey, Clinical Operations Manager of In-House Coordinators for LifeShare of Oklahoma. Crystal has played an instrumental role in the development of The Alliance DCD Educational Guide & Workshop, helping to create a comprehensive national resource on DCD best practices. She continues to serve as faculty, facilitating discussions on effective donor identification and evaluation, and is recognized by her colleagues for her collaborative spirit and commitment to advancing practice.
Those who work closely with Crystal describe her as a thoughtful professional who embodies the qualities of a rising leader—innovation, dedication, and an inspiring readiness to serve the greater good.
The Alliance Committed Leader Award recognizes a leader in the community of practice who commits significant time and expertise to the many bold initiatives underway at The Alliance. Through building trusted relationships and contributing extraordinary effort, these leaders advance nationwide collaboration and foster a culture of engaged learning.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Rondi Gelbard, Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of Surgical Critical Care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Gelbard has served as core faculty for the Foundational Perspectives of Organ Donation Program since 2021, presenting to more than 1,500 healthcare learners. She currently serves as chair of The Alliance National Donation Leadership Council, guiding efforts to equip hospital and donation professionals with practical resources that advance practice and improve outcomes. She also contributed to the development of The Alliance DCD Educational Guide & Workshop and continues to serve as faculty to share best practices in effective donor management.
Colleagues praise Dr. Gelbard’s collaborative spirit, noting her ability to connect bedside teams and OPO partners, and her consistent willingness to volunteer her time and expertise to advance the community of practice.
The Alliance Visionary Leader Award recognizes a leader in the community who guides The Alliance’s vision to ignite bold advancements in organ donation, transplantation, and patient survival. As a valued thought leader, this individual introduces important innovations that catalyze meaningful change for our field.
This year’s recipient is Andrea Tietjen, Assistant Vice President of Transplant Administration at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. Andrea’s involvement with The Alliance dates back to 2017, where she has served on the National Transplant Leadership Council and as a founding faculty member of OnboardingU, the national transplant orientation program. Most recently, she was instrumental in developing The Alliance Transplant Payer Collaborative — a dedicated platform convening payers, transplant programs, and healthcare professionals to reduce barriers, ensure fairness, and drive best practices that improve outcomes for patients.
Andrea is widely admired for her foresight and ability to bring diverse stakeholders together, making her an invaluable voice in shaping the future of the field.
The Alliance Transformational Leader Award recognizes lifetime career achievement in organ donation and transplantation. This award honors a leader in the community of practice who has demonstrated consistent commitment, resulting in effective collaboration, cascading of innovations, and the sharing of best practices for the benefit of restoring lives through transplantation.
This year’s honoree is Dr. Jon Snyder, Director of Transplant Epidemiology at Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute. Jon’s service to The Alliance spans more than 10 years, including his role as Treasurer of The Alliance Board of Directors and as a member of multiple National Leadership Councils. His impact on the field of donation and transplantation is legendary. Known for his gift of transforming complex data into meaningful stories, Jon has provided invaluable insight that continues to shape the trajectory of OPO and transplant performance nationwide.
Beyond his unparalleled expertise, Jon is admired for his warmth, generosity, and collaborative spirit. Colleagues emphasize that he is as much a joy to work with as he is a trusted guide for the field.
The Alliance team congratulates all honorees and thanks them for their immeasurable contributions to the field of organ donation and transplantation. Together, their leadership, mentorship, and vision embody the mission of The Alliance and strengthen our national community of practice.
