Team

The World Dementia Council (WDC), established by the UK Government following the 2013 G8 Dementia Summit in London, works to drive global progress on dementia. Its mission is to support and challenge the international community to advance treatments, risk reduction, awareness, and quality care. Building international collaboration, the Council provides thought leadership and advocates for dementia as a global priority. It focuses on advocacy engagement by working with national organisations and through platforms such as the G7 and G20. It provides evidence-based insights to policymakers and builds international networks to foster collaboration. Chaired by Professor Philip Scheltens, with Dr. Joanne Pike as vice chair and Lenny Shallcross as executive director, the Council is guided by a board of international experts and government representatives committed to accelerating progress in the field.

Lenny Shallcross

Lenny is Executive Director at the World Dementia Council. Prior to that he held a number of leadership roles at Alzheimer's Society (UK). Before working in the not for profit sctor Lenny worked in politics as a political adviser to the UK government working at the Department of Health as well as the Department for Culture Media and Sport on policy and comunication. He has also worked in the United Kingdom Parliament as Chief of Staff to a members of Parliament and for the Labour Party.

Melanie Saunderson

Melanie is Office Manager at the World Dementia Council, responsible for the administration of the charity, including finance and project management. She provides executive assistance to the Executive Director. Melanie is legally trained and has had a varied career in finance, property and senior executive administration. She has worked for The Crown Estate, The US Embassy in London, Department for Transport and Richard Green Art Gallery in Bond Street London. She is a fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management.

Laura Cilmi is the Communications Executive on Loan to the World Dementia Council (WDC). In her role, she develops and implements marketing and communications campaigns to advance the mission of the WDC. She also serves as the Vice President of Public Policy Marketing & Communications for the Alzheimer's Association, responsible for multi-faceted communications and marketing campaigns to influence federal and state dementia public policy. Prior to working with the WDC and the Alzheimer’s Association, Laura provided communications and public affairs support to clients in the health care field.