Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2026) – Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s George Vradenburg today announced that President and Chief Operating Officer Russ Paulsen will be stepping down from his role at the end of the month to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer at Research!America. 

“Russ has been my partner here at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s for seven years, and he has brought enormous talent, energy, and smarts to our mission to end Alzheimer’s,” Vradenburg said. “Russ has served as a firm and stabilizing presence in the fight toward ending this devil of a disease and leaves us in excellent shape for future growth. The rest of the Board and I wish him all the best in his new role.”

“I am so grateful to have been able to work alongside this talented staff team, with this impressive Board of Directors, in service of such an important mission that touches so many families,” Paulsen said. “It has been a privilege.”

“I’m pleased to share that Catherine Patterson, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s chief of staff, will become Acting Chief Operating Officer and will lead our powerful and experienced Leadership Team and staff at the organization. Catherine and I will continue this battle with purpose, with energy, and with urgency,” Vradenburg added.

“I am honored to step into this role and grateful for the strong foundation Russ has built over his years of exceptional leadership,” said Patterson. “UsAgainstAlzheimer's has an incredibly talented and dedicated team, and together with George and our Board, I am confident we will continue to drive this mission forward with the urgency and purpose it demands. Ending Alzheimer's is both a personal and professional calling, and I look forward to leading this organization through its next chapter."

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About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is engaged in a relentless pursuit to end Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading killer in America. Our work centers on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and equal access to treatments regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. To achieve our mission, we give voice to patients and caregivers while partnering with government, scientists, the private sector, and allied organizations—the people who put the “Us” in UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

Contact: Chantez Bailey, [email protected]