Dr. Tim Coetzee serves as the National MS Society’s Chief Advocacy, Services and Science Officer. In this role, he leads the organization’s efforts to drive public policy, implement impactful and sustainable programs and services for people with MS, and fund innovative MS research around the world. Tim is a member of the Society’s CEO Leadership Team, serves on the Scientific Steering Committee of the International Progressive MS Alliance, and is the Co-Chair of the National Academy of Medicine’s Forum on Regenerative Medicine. Prior to joining the Society, Tim was a faculty member at the University of Connecticut Health Center where he conducted MS research focused on the area of myelin and myelin repair. Tim received his PhD in molecular biology from Albany Medical College and followed that with fellowship training at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. His work in MS research was launched with a fellowship from the National MS Society.

When Elizabeth was diagnosed with Relapsing MS in 2002, her work was on the inside-front pages of top fashion magazines. Elizabeth was Estée Lauderʼs global advertising, Art Director. In 2006, she was recruited by Starwood Hotels & Resorts where as Creative Director, she traveled the world, directing lifestyle- photo shoots. Falling in love with the hospitality industry, Elizabeth advanced to Morgans Hotel Group, ultimately in 2015, landed her swan song, position, directing the advertising, that re-launched New York Cityʼs legendary, Knickerbocker Hotel.

Today, MS symptoms have changed Elizabethʼs abilities to do some of the things she loves but her artistic vision and creative curiosity have only transitioned in new directions – two decades after Elizabethʼs first MS symptom she is learning to horse back ride through equine therapy, swimming laps at the YMCA, writing and illustrating a childrenʼs book, tracing her Swedish/French ancestry, blogging about cooking recipes, collected abroad and developing marketing for non-profits.