Executive Compensation at the Alzheimer’s Association (2024)

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association is commonly referred to as the Alzheimer’s Association. A tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) 3 whose goal is to eliminate Alzheimers Disease through research but also offer support, information/public awareness, and education on the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association raised $444 million in 2024 (compared to $412 million in 2023, $502 million in 2022, $405 million in 2021, $403 million in 2020 and $390 million in 2019), primarily from contributions, gifts, and grants ($435 million including $31 million from the government).

Expenses totaled $457 million (including $5 million in depreciation) which is $13 million more than the organization raised.  Net assets increased by $12 million from $293 million in 2023 to $306 million in 2024, primarily because the organization reported nearly $24 million in unrealized gains on investments.

The largest expense for the Alzheimer’s Association is compensation for the 2,261 employees  (about 100 less employees than in 2023) who received $207 million, which equates to an average compensation of $91,000.  432 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 11 most highly compensated employees reported to be:

• $1,033,602:  Katherine “Joanne” Pike, President and CEO (as of 11/2021)*
• $  978,006:  Maria Carrillo, Chief Science Officer
• $  957,566:  Robert Egge, Chief Public Policy Officer
• $  935,287:  Harry Johns, President and CEO (thru 11/2021)*
• $  919,289:  Donna McCullough, Former Chief Missions and Field Operations Officer (thru 1/2024)
• $  826,021:  Richard Hovland, Former COO, CFO and Assistant Treasurer (thru 1/2024)
• $  665,105:  Kenann Cassidy, East Area Leader
• $  535,586:  Carl Hill, Chief DE&I Officer
• $  522,723:  Eric Vanvlymen, West Area Leader
• $  456,523:  Michelle Helton, VP, Financial Operations
• $  445,076:  Anthony D’Amato, Asst Sec’y, VP, Legal and General Counsel

*Thru and as of dates represent information reported on the previous Form 990 which is inconsistent with the current Form 990 that reports Mr Johns was CEO until 12/2022 and Ms. Pike was CEO as of 1/2023.

As illustrated above, the 11 most highly compensated employees received $8 million in compensation. 5 of the 10 most highly compensated employees are female while 6 are male. It is also important to point out there are 30 independent directors on the Board of Directors although 35 are listed on the Form 990 (due to timing differences). 22  of the 35 (63%) are male while 13 of the 35 (37%) are female.

Although Katherine “Joanne Pike,” the President and CEO was the most highly compensated employee at just over $1 million, Harry Johns, the former President and CEO also received nearly $1 million although he departed in November, 2021 or December, 2022 (note:  conflicting public information).

The Alzheimer’s Association paid for companion travel and personal services (such as maid, chauffeur, chef). See the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information for more details and for information on retirement plan contributions.

146 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $18 million:  Navistar Direct Marketing, of Frederick, MD for direct marketing
• $ 4 million:  Haworth Marketing and Media, LLC, of Minneapolis, MN for advertising
• $ 6 million:  Never Without, LLC of Atlanta, GA for advertising
• $ 3 million:  Moore, a Series LLC, of Lanham, Maryland for fundraising
• $ 3 million:  Stage Right, of Mettawa, IL, for audio visual

As illustrated above, the largest independent contractors were used for direct marketing, advertising, and fundraising:  $31 million was paid to 4 independent vendors for these services.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2023 for the year ending June 30, 2024), click here.