Executive team
Our executive team is comprised of visionary leaders with the expertise to enhance our operations so we can best serve our donors, patients and the entire transplant community.
Amy L. Ronneberg
Chief Executive Officer, NMDPSM
Amy became CEO in March 2020. She’s responsible for setting the overall strategic direction and leading an organization of professionals and volunteers dedicated to creating a world where every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy.
Amy joined NMDP in July 2013 as the chief financial officer. She was responsible for planning, implementing and directing NMDP finances, facilities and real estate management, and reporting. As CFO, Amy partnered with and advised NMDP executives and the board of directors in developing and implementing an operating and financial business plan to meet the changing health care environment.
Amy joined NMDP in July 2013 as the chief financial officer. She was responsible for planning, implementing and directing NMDP finances, facilities and real estate management, and reporting. As CFO, Amy partnered with and advised NMDP executives and the board of directors in developing and implementing an operating and financial business plan to meet the changing health care environment.
Along with her finance duties, Amy was president of NMDP BioTherapiesSM. She led new business development while overseeing the creation and delivery of a strategic plan to grow and expand our portfolio of product offerings.
Prior to joining NMDP, Amy spent 12 years at Capella Education Company, where she served in leadership roles including chief accounting office, vice president of finance and vice president of operations. She also worked for Ernst & Young for several years as an audit manager.
Amy has served on many boards and is currently on the board of Allina Health and Medical Alley Association and on the finance committee for the World Marrow Donor Association.
Amy earned a Master of Business Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn., and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Prior to joining NMDP, Amy spent 12 years at Capella Education Company, where she served in leadership roles including chief accounting office, vice president of finance and vice president of operations. She also worked for Ernst & Young for several years as an audit manager.
Amy has served on many boards and is currently on the board of Allina Health and Medical Alley Association and on the finance committee for the World Marrow Donor Association.
Amy earned a Master of Business Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn., and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Steven Devine, MD
Chief Medical Officer, NMDP
Executive Lead, CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®)
Senior Scientific Director, CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®)
Before joining NMDP in March 2018, Dr. Devine was the director of the Bone Marrow Transplant/Cell Therapy program at The Ohio State University (OSU). He served for 8 years as chair of the National Cancer Institute-funded Alliance Transplant Committee and two terms as chair of the NIH-funded Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) Steering Committee. He’s currently one of the principal investigators (PI) for the BMT CTN Data Coordinating Center. He was previously the PI of The Ohio State Consortium, one of the 20 core members within the BMT CTN. A current board-certified medical oncologist, Dr. Devine practiced for 25 years in the field.
His major research interest is in the application of stem cell transplantation for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and has served as chair of two multicenter NIH-supported clinical transplantation trials in AML. He’s currently leading clinical research efforts within CIBMTR to improve outcomes in recipients of mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) transplants. He has authored more than 270 peer-reviewed papers and more than 400 abstracts as well as several reviews and book chapters in the field of stem cell transplantation, leukemia and hematology. He’s a former associate editor for Journal of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Blood Advances, and he has served as a reviewer for several journals, including Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Nature Medicine, Lancet, Haematologica and Bone Marrow Transplantation. He’s dedicated to improving patient outcomes and helping advance the next generation of leaders in stem cell transplantation and cell therapy.
Jim Graham
Chief Information Officer, NMDP
Jim joined NMDP in 2024. As an accomplished, mission-driven leader, he brings more than 25 years of experience aligning business and technology to create value and accelerate growth. Jim leads all aspects of NMDP's information technology, including modernizing and scaling platforms and maintaining system security, automation and operational efficiencies.
With a proven track record of leading and delivering complex business and IT transformations, Jim plays a pivotal role in leveraging technology to drive the organization's mission-critical operational strategy. He’s passionate about fostering a collaborative work environment and building high-performing IT teams focused on continuous learning and improvement.
With a proven track record of leading and delivering complex business and IT transformations, Jim plays a pivotal role in leveraging technology to drive the organization's mission-critical operational strategy. He’s passionate about fostering a collaborative work environment and building high-performing IT teams focused on continuous learning and improvement.
Most recently, Jim spent 11 years at Prime Therapeutics, a Twin Cities-based pharmacy benefit management company. As CIO, he led a multiyear initiative to modernize and scale technology platforms during a new operating model implementation, which helped improve speed-to-market, state-of-the-art automation and access to information. Before Prime, he spent more than a decade in executive IT roles at Voya Financial (formerly ING), developing business and technology strategies and leading transformation initiatives.
Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business computer information systems from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing golf and racquetball.
Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business computer information systems from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing golf and racquetball.
Katherine Heyerdahl, CPA (inactive)
Chief Financial Officer, NMDP
Katherine, who joined NMDP in 2024, embodies the spirit of purpose-driven leadership, rooted in a strong vision to add tangible value to our mission. Katherine is responsible for NMDP financial functions, advising on strategic spend as well as on pricing for products and services.
As a strategic-minded and results-driven CFO, she brings to the role a deep understanding of financial stewardship and strong experience leading strategy, operations and growth, ensuring our resources contribute to finding cures and saving lives.
Most recently, Katherine served as chief strategy officer, Individual and Family Plans, at UnitedHealth Group (UHG), where she was accountable for new market expansion strategy, long-term business planning and capital portfolio. Her commitment to developing and achieving growth-oriented financial results is grounded in sustainable business plans.
She’s a certified public accountant (inactive) and earned a bachelor’s degree in business & accounting and a master’s degree in accounting with a finance emphasis, both from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Erica Jensen
Senior Vice President, Innovation, Strategy & Marketing, NMDP
Erica brings 25 years of experience driving strategic growth for Fortune 500 corporations to NMDP as the senior vice president of innovation, strategy and marketing.
At General Mills and Bank of America, Erica shaped integrated marketing strategies and multicultural marketing campaigns and worked closely with internal and external partners to advance business goals. She also developed digital marketing standards and training for General Mills brands in international markets.
The genesis of one of her enduring legacies at General Mills occurred during her time working on Yoplait. She helped launch and was a founding board member of Firefly Sisterhood, which fosters one-to-one connections between women diagnosed with breast cancer and inspirational survivors. Firefly Sisterhood quickly thrived, becoming its own 501(c)(3). It’s been honored by numerous organizations, including the Minnesota Lynx and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At General Mills and Bank of America, Erica shaped integrated marketing strategies and multicultural marketing campaigns and worked closely with internal and external partners to advance business goals. She also developed digital marketing standards and training for General Mills brands in international markets.
The genesis of one of her enduring legacies at General Mills occurred during her time working on Yoplait. She helped launch and was a founding board member of Firefly Sisterhood, which fosters one-to-one connections between women diagnosed with breast cancer and inspirational survivors. Firefly Sisterhood quickly thrived, becoming its own 501(c)(3). It’s been honored by numerous organizations, including the Minnesota Lynx and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For Erica, serving the community has been a constant joy. At Northwestern University, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta, a historically African American sorority committed to community service. She also serves as a director on several nonprofit boards.
Erica graduated with a degree in communication from Northwestern University and earned her Master of Business Administration from Regis University.
Erica graduated with a degree in communication from Northwestern University and earned her Master of Business Administration from Regis University.
Ron Leonhardt
Chief People Officer, NMDP
Ron joined NMDP in 2023. His role is to direct global workforce strategies, champion culture change initiatives, and ensure current and future leadership capabilities are in alignment with the organization’s growth plans.
Ron has more than 25 years of experience leading human resource departments. Prior to joining NMDP, he served as vice president of global human resources for Zinpro Corporation—a privately held manufacturer of mineral supplements. He was also the divisional head of human resources (HR) for Smiths Medical’s business and held numerous leadership roles at Target Corporation.
Ron began his career as a business consultant with Arthur Andersen and Deloitte & Touche, where he assisted Global Fortune 1000 companies in HR strategy, organizational effectiveness, talent development, performance management and change leadership.
Ron has more than 25 years of experience leading human resource departments. Prior to joining NMDP, he served as vice president of global human resources for Zinpro Corporation—a privately held manufacturer of mineral supplements. He was also the divisional head of human resources (HR) for Smiths Medical’s business and held numerous leadership roles at Target Corporation.
Ron began his career as a business consultant with Arthur Andersen and Deloitte & Touche, where he assisted Global Fortune 1000 companies in HR strategy, organizational effectiveness, talent development, performance management and change leadership.
Ron was born and raised in Japan and spent his formative years living in Portugal before relocating to the U.S. in 1983. He lives with his wife, Molly, in Minneapolis, Minn., and has two boys, Cole and Shay, who reside in New York City.
In 2019, Ron was officially appointed by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as the Honorary Consul of Japan for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. As Honorary Consul, he serves to protect the interests of Japanese nationals residing in the three states and helps to promote Japanese businesses operating there. Ron also supports the Japanese Consulate’s efforts in furthering U.S.-Japan economic, cultural, social and political relations.
Ron received his bachelor’s in international economics from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in international business from Columbia University.
In 2019, Ron was officially appointed by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as the Honorary Consul of Japan for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. As Honorary Consul, he serves to protect the interests of Japanese nationals residing in the three states and helps to promote Japanese businesses operating there. Ron also supports the Japanese Consulate’s efforts in furthering U.S.-Japan economic, cultural, social and political relations.
Ron received his bachelor’s in international economics from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in international business from Columbia University.
Jamie Margolis, PhD
Senior Vice President, Member, Donor & Product Operations, NMDP
With more than 15 years of experience managing cell therapies, Jamie is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the teams that are accountable for the NMDP Registry and its associated members and donors. Along with key partners, her team oversees the management and facilitation of all member, donor and cord blood operations, from the point of identification of best graft source by a provider to the collection and recovery of blood stem cells or delivery of cord blood products, while ensuring all functional areas meet regulatory and quality standards.
Jamie joined NMDP in 2009 and spent her first 6 years in patient case management, supporting the operational needs of health care providers for blood stem cell transplantation through end-to-end management of the complex product delivery process. She then served for 4 years as director of cell and gene therapy operations for NMDP BioTherapiesSM, where she was responsible for overseeing supply chain management, development and management of collection networks, and identifying and sourcing allogeneic donor cells.
Jamie holds her PhD in molecular biology and genetics from the University of Minnesota.
Jamie holds her PhD in molecular biology and genetics from the University of Minnesota.
Julie Smolich
Senior Vice President, Patient & Provider Services, NMDP
Julie provides leadership and strategic direction to the teams focused on partnering with and providing cellular products and other services to transplant centers; engaging community hematologists/oncologists to increase referral rates to transplant; and supporting patients by removing barriers to transplant through education, financial assistance and other resources.
Julie is responsible for identifying and understanding market, customer and patient needs and translating that into the development and implementation of new and/or improved services and solutions that will ultimately deliver a positive experience for providers and help more patients by removing barriers and improving access to life-saving cell therapies.
She has extensive and varied experience in leadership roles, encompassing areas like strategic planning, operational excellence, new product development, financial management and customer experience.
Julie is responsible for identifying and understanding market, customer and patient needs and translating that into the development and implementation of new and/or improved services and solutions that will ultimately deliver a positive experience for providers and help more patients by removing barriers and improving access to life-saving cell therapies.
She has extensive and varied experience in leadership roles, encompassing areas like strategic planning, operational excellence, new product development, financial management and customer experience.
Prior to joining NMDP in 2017, Julie spent 16 years at Capella Education Company, where she held several leadership positions. Most recently, she was the vice president and general manager of a multimillion-dollar business unit, where she led the innovation of a ground-breaking academic delivery model called FlexPath. Earlier in her career, she worked in the financial services industry at Piper Jaffray and Ernst & Young, earning her CPA along the way (currently inactive).
Julie earned her Master of Business Administration from Capella University and holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from St. Cloud State University.
Julie earned her Master of Business Administration from Capella University and holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from St. Cloud State University.