Our Community Advisory Board (CAB) is essential to the mission and success of the Outreach, Engagement, and Recruitment core.

The CAB helps us to optimize our outreach, recruitment and engagement opportunities by providing key insights into the needs and perspectives of our specific community. The CAB reviews all community-facing educational materials developed by the VADC, assists with the development of strategies to recruit for and conduct clinical research trials, and is indispensable in helping to bring knowledge back into the community. They also advise us on issues facing the members of our community, specifically related to navigating Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The CAB participates and support community partnerships and outreach events. 

To learn more about the CAB and how you may participate in the future, please contact Dr. Ishan Williams. 

Current Community Advisory Board Members

Carolyn Mitchell Dillard

I am honored to work with Dr. Ishan Wiliams on the UVA's Alzheimer's Disease Center Community Advisory Board (CAB). A part of my role is Developing Outreach programs and resources for the local community and surrounding counties. I have been a caregiver for both of my parents who experienced dementia prior to their passing. Engaging our community with resources for care and information is a passion. 

Carolyn Mitchell Dillard is the Community Partnerships Manager in the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and her office is located in the Center for Community Partnerships at UVA. 

She joined the UVA family in 2003 and has served in the Office of Media Relations & Community Relations. She currently serves on the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) Community Engagement Committee and is responsible for MEL programming. She also serves as a member of the President's Commission on the University in the Age of Segregation (PCUAS) as the co-chair of its community engagement committee and is on the board of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA). She also served on the President's Commission on Slavery (PCUS) Community Engagement Committee. 

Carolyn is the first female pastor of this historic Zion Hill Baptist Church in Keswick, VA (established 1870), and serves on the Board of the African-American Pastors' Council of Charlottesville & Vicinity. She has a B.S. from George Mason University, an MBA from National Louis University, and M.Div. from the Virginia Union University School of Theology, and is a current Doctoral Candidate in the Virginia Union University School of Theology. She joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1984 and is a proud member of the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter, and is Dare to Lead trained.

Juanita Giles

I never really had experience with dementia until my mother was diagnosed when my youngest child was just a baby. Caring for her and three young children was an incredible challenge, and navigating both her life and her death spurred me to do all that I can to help those in similar situations.

Juanita Giles is the founder and director of the Virginia Children's Book Festival. She is a frequent contributor to NPR and lives on a farm in Southside Virginia with her family. 

Taylor Lee

Professionally, I work to support caregivers, families, and persons with a memory impairment, so a connection with the CAB is both helpful and empowering. Personally, I am supporting family navigating a dementia diagnosis, so I feel vastly compelled to share my voice and skills to help bridge gaps for others that this disease impacts.

Taylor Lee holds a Master's degree in Social Work and is currently a Memory Care Navigator at The Martha W. Goodson Center at Riverside Health System.

Danielle Montague

Danielle is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at Regent University, studying Strategic Leadership, concentrating on Healthcare Leadership. She holds a Master's in Public Health degree. She began her career at Danville Parks and Recreation. Danielle's work is centered around health equity in the region. She currently works for the Virginia Rural Health Association as a program coordinator. She currently resides in southside Virginia where she also teaches yoga at a meditation center. 

James Neville

It is both a privilege and an honor to be on the CAB because, since my mother's passing, I have been on a mission to inform the public about Alzheimer's and dementia, including the causes and the effects. Therefore, membership on the CAB offered me an excellent opportunity to both learn and share Alzheimer's and dementia information and resources to a broader community.

James Neville is a retired social work specialist and author of the book, "Sweet Memories, My Mother's Life Story and the Lesson I Learned from Her Journey with Dementia."

"Alex" Sikander Ommaya

When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he quickly deteriorated and only 3 years after diagnosis required full time care. My professional background was focused in neuroscience, health policy, and improving health outcomes. I have personal experience with complex care as a desmoid tumor, short bowel syndrome, and type 1 diabetes patient. I hope my experience will assist the Community Advisory Board in being helpful to Alzheimer's disease patients, families, health care providers, researchers, and caregivers.