The AMDA Team
Andrea Faris
Director
A passionate advocate and sibling ally whose life was deeply shaped by growing up alongside Tiffany House (beloved late AMDA President and Pompe Disease patient). From an early age, Andrea Faris witnessed the challenges and strength that come with living with a rare, progressive condition. Her experience adapting to changing family dynamics and supporting Tiffany’s journey has fueled her commitment to raising awareness, building community, and creating space for patients, families, and sibling voices in rare disease conversations. Today, Andrea continues to honor Tiffany’s legacy and support families walking a similar path.
Juls Williams
Liaison
As Liaison to the AMDA team, Juls Williams serves as the central link to the Director Andrea Faris. Juls plays a key role in managing day-to-day operations and ensuring communication flows smoothly across all levels of the organization. With a strong commitment to advocacy and collaboration, Juls helps drive the mission of raising awareness, supporting and empowering families, and advancing research for Pompe Disease. She seamlessly connects strategic leadership with on-the-ground initiatives, making her a vital part of the organization’s efforts within the rare disease community. Juls has been with the AMDA since 2021. She also provides support to the International Pompe Association (IPA).
A mother to a daughter with Crohn’s Disease and whose sibling passed from ALS, she understands and empathizes with the caregiver and parent roles in providing support, care, and love to those affected, including family members. Recognizing the lack of support groups to share stories and experiences, as well as the lack of resources for mental health and women’s issues for Crohn’s (and Pompe), she is committed to finding and providing these resources for the respective communities. She and her daughter are requested panelists at an annual Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)/Crohn’s & Colitis Patient Education Conference in Oklahoma to offer both patient and parent perspectives, as well as lived experiences on transitioning from pediatric to adult providers and navigating the day-to-day.
Paralleling, Juls is a strong advocate for changes in legislation and actively supports Step Therapy or “Fail First” and the Safe Step Act (H.R.2630) and actively fundraises for on-going research for more effective treatment options and awareness. Juls is from a proud military family (hers) to include her husband and his. She grew up in Hawaii and has 15 years of federal government experience working with the military in Hawaii, Japan, and San Antonio, Texas.
Marsha Zimmerman
Patient Advocate
Marsha Zimmerman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Evansville in 1975. In 1978, she commissioned into the United States Air Force Nurse Corps (USAF NC).
Serving as an Aeromedical Evacuation Flight Nurse was a highlight of her career, and she held aircrew positions during three assignments: Line Flyer with the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) at Scott AFB, IL; Assistant Chief Nurse of the 375th AES, Scott AFB, IL; and Deputy Chair of the Department of Aerospace Nursing and Director of the Aeromedical Evacuation Flight Nurse Course at Brooks AFB, TX.
Marsha retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the USAF NC in 1997 and joined the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Over the next decade, she worked as a Research Nurse in diverse areas, including pediatric kidney-related clinical trials, ALS studies in Neurology, and genetic and metabolic disorders—where she led a single-patient clinical trial for Pompe disease. It was during this work that Marsha met Tiffany House and her remarkable family.
In her final 10 years at UTHSCSA, Marsha served in the Quality Assurance Department as an Internal Auditor for Phase 1 Investigator-Initiated Oncology Clinical Trials. She retired from UTHSCSA in December 2017.
Since 2003, Marsha has also worked with the AMDA, supporting patients and their families with compassion, dedication, and resourcefulness. Drawing on her extensive experience in both the military and medical research, she has become a skilled problem solver and a trusted advocate.
You can contact Marsha at: marzim50@gmail.com.
Matt Zimmerman
Director of Communications / IT
Matt Zimmerman is a creative professional with a strong foundation in both the arts and technology. He joined the AMDA as Director of Communications and IT in January 2022, bringing a unique blend of storytelling, performance, and digital media expertise to the role.
Matt graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, focusing on Acting and Directing. He later continued his training in ensemble-based physical theater at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California.
Now based in Los Angeles, Matt has worked as a performer at Universal Studios Hollywood since 2011. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he expanded his skillset by producing and hosting live content on Twitch, honing his streaming production abilities and deepening his understanding of digital engagement.
At the AMDA, Matt is passionate about using technology and communication to connect, inform, and uplift the Pompe community.
Tara Mancine
Lead Social Media Manager
With over 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner, Tara Mancine brings a unique blend of strategic insight, brand development, and audience engagement expertise to her role in the nonprofit space. She’s led marketing and communication efforts across multiple channels, developing educational content and impactful campaigns that connect with diverse audiences and drive long-term engagement.
Now, as the lead social media manager for the AMDA (Acid Maltase Deficiency Association), she’s applying her skills to amplify awareness, build community, and support advocacy for individuals affected by Pompe disease. She approaches digital strategy with the same passion she brings to everything she does: rooted in research, driven by purpose, and designed to connect meaningfully with real people.
Whether it’s creating compelling content, distilling complex medical concepts into accessible language, or mapping out long-term engagement strategies—she thrives where impact meets creativity.
Morgan Burroughs
Social Media Coordinator
Morgan Burroughs brings both lived experience and deep passion to her role as Social Media Coordinator for the AMDA. Diagnosed with Pompe disease at just 21 months old, Morgan has spent her life navigating the challenges of this rare condition—experiences that have fueled her commitment to advocacy and awareness.
A true pioneer in the community, Morgan participated in one of the first clinical trials of Myozyme in 2003, helping pave the way for what would become a life-changing treatment for many. She later transitioned to Lumizyme following its approval. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the New Orleans hospital where she was receiving care, Morgan relocated to Asheville, North Carolina in 2007, where she continues her journey with resilience and purpose.
Morgan joined the AMDA driven by a desire to ensure that others affected by Pompe disease never feel alone. Through her work, she hopes to amplify patient voices, build community, and make life a little easier for generations to come.
Acid Maltase Deficiency Association
For the AMDA videos: All Rights reserved. No part of the AMDA's videos may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright holder.
If you are interested in learning more about Pompe Disease and would like to make a contribution in support of necessary research, please contact us at:
info@amda-pompe.org
THE AMDA
PO Box 700248
San Antonio, Texas 78270 USA