Andrea Pauls Backman

Andrea Pauls Backman, MBA, has been Chief Executive Officer of the Les Turner ALS Foundation since 2015.   She brings both a professional and personal passion to the ALS/MND community having cared for and lost her mother, Sally, to the disease in 2010.

Andrea came to the ALS field following a 30-year career in business management as an institutional investment manager, including as a managing Director at several investment firms. She also brings more than 15 years of nonprofit board management experience. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations since 2019 and is the board liaison to its Scientific Advisory Council.

Andrea holds a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University of Chicago and is a certified public accountant. She also received a Professional Development Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations from the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies. Outside of the office, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and biking.

“I am in the ALS/MND fight because I’ve never seen more courageous, determined and selfless individuals than those with this disease. I am committed to break down siloes in ALS/MND research, care, and education so we get the keys to the cures faster.  We have no time to waste.”