Matthew’s career in the organ donation field began at Indiana Donor Network, where he climbed the ladder from Organ Recovery Coordinator to Manager of Organ Services. He then moved on to Nevada Donor Network as the Vice President of Clinical Affairs, where he was responsible for northern Nevada operations, family services, hospital services, organ recovery, tissue recovery, the call center and the birth tissue program that he created. In December 2019, Matthew was named Life Connection of Ohio’s President &amp; CEO. In that role, Matthew leads Life Connection of Ohio’s efforts to serve families and save lives through organ donation.
Matthew earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Wright State University and a Master of Business Administration from Ohio University. He holds a certificate in health care management from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and a graduate certificate in human donation science from the University of Toledo – Health Science Campus. In 2021, Matthew was named one of Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award winners, which honors the region’s brightest young business leaders whose demonstrated success make a profound difference in the community. In 2023, Matthew was named one of Dayton Business Journal&#8217;s Health Care Heroes, which recognizes leaders who make an impact on health care through their management skills, concern for patients, innovative programs, community engagement and service. Also in 2023, Matthew was a finalist for the Dayton Business Journal&#8217;s prestigious Executive of the Year.
Having provided testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in 2021 and the Senate Committee on Finance in 2023, Matthew continues to be an outspoken advocate for the urgent need for reform of the nation&#8217;s organ donation and transplantation system, and he remains laser focused on providing families with the opportunity for donation and on facilitating the gift of life for those in need.
Matthew serves on the American Society of Transplantation Organ and Tissue Preservation Advisory Board; the Kettering-Moraine-Oakwood Chamber of Commerce; and the University of Toledo Masters in Transplantation and Donation Sciences Program Advisory Board.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the President and CEO of Life Connection of Ohio,” Matthew said. “Life Connection of Ohio’s designated service area covers my hometown, and I have a deep pride for the area that I grew up. I consider it an honor to be able to serve our community in this capacity.”

Matthew Wadsworth

Dr. Pearson joined Life Connection of Ohio in 2025 as the organization’s first-ever Chief Medical Officer.
Prior to his role at Life Connection of Ohio, Dr. Pearson was Medical Director of Soin Medical Center’s ICU, and he served in the Air Force as a Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician with one deployment for Critical Care Air Transport. Dr. Pearson graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine, completed his residency at Wright State University and completed his fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center. Dr. Pearson is board certified in pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine and internal medicine.
During his time at Soin Medical Center, Dr. Pearson was introduced to LCO’s life-saving work.
“In the ICU, we have a unique role in managing critically ill individuals who occasionally become organ donors. Over the years, I have collaborated with LCO in the care of these donor heroes and have witnessed the gift of life through organ donation. It was clear to me that LCO was an organization of likeminded people who care deeply about the patients on both sides of donation,” Dr. Pearson said.
Dr. Pearson is passionate about advancing LCO’s mission of serving families and saving lives through organ donation.
“I’m honored to join LCO because the mission deeply aligns with my values of compassion and service. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the life-changing impact of organ donation, and I’m excited to contribute to this important work. LCO’s commitment to saving lives through donation is truly inspiring, and I look forward to working with such a dedicated team to make a positive difference in our community,” Dr. Pearson said.

Dr. Daniel Pearson

Christi’s career in the organ donation field began at Indiana Donor Network, where she served as Vice President of Finance &amp; Administration. In 2021, Christi was named Life Connection of Ohio’s Chief Financial Officer. In that role, Christi provides strategic financial management, leadership and advisory services to meet organizational goals and maximize the resources required to save lives through organ donation. She leads the teams responsible for community services, finance, human resources and information technology.
Christi earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Purdue University and a Master of Professional Accountancy from Indiana University. She is a certified public accountant.
“I am passionate about working at Life Connection of Ohio because I believe the opportunity for organ donation and transplantation to radically evolve and save exponentially more lives exists,” Christi said. “The team at Life Connection of Ohio is the ideal combination of ingenuity, passion and tenacity required to achieve the incredibly important mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.”

Christi Steinberg

Kate joined Life Connection of Ohio in 2021 and climbed the ladder from Manager of Family Services to Director of Hospital Services. In 2023, Kate was promoted to Vice President of Clinical Operations. In that role, Kate oversees the Hospital Services Department, Family Services Department, Recovery Services Department and Administrators on Call. Prior to her roles at Life Connection of Ohio, Kate served as Nurse Manager of Miami Valley Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Intensive Care Unit.
Kate earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and a Master of Health Administration from Ohio University. She is a registered nurse and a certified critical care registered nurse.
“I enjoy supporting our community by inspiring others to save and enhance the lives of others by finding a light of hope during grief,” Kate said.

Kate Bagienski

Kara began her career at Life Connection of Ohio in 2006 as a Community Relations Representative, where she focused on building the organization’s high school education program and community partnerships. In 2010, Kara was promoted to Director of Community Services. In that role, Kara oversees the Community Services Department, which is responsible for promoting the life-saving message of donation in the public and for providing donor family aftercare. Prior to her roles at Life Connection of Ohio, Kara worked as Staff Writer/Copy Editor/Designer/Photographer at The Crossroads Chronicle in North Carolina.
Kara earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, and she is pursuing a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Johns Hopkins University. She serves as Donate Life America State Team Leader; United Network for Organ Sharing’s Lisa Schaffner Community Advocate Award Selection Committee Member; Second Chance Trust Fund Advisory Committee Chair; Donate Life Ohio Past President and current Council Member; Team Ohio Transplant Athletics Board of Directors Secretary; and Donate Life Ohio Marketing/PR Committee Member.
Kara’s passion for Life Connection of Ohio’s mission resonates on a personal level. Her father, Harvey J. Steele, received a life-saving liver transplant, and her cousin, Michael Grady, and uncle, Ken Howard, gave the gifts of tissue donation.
“I have witnessed the power of donation as a donor family member and as a recipient family member. Those experiences feed my passion for my work at Life Connection of Ohio, where serving families and saving lives is always at the forefront,” Kara said. “My dad was gifted 20 additional years of life because someone said ‘yes’ to organ donation, so I blame him for my career in the best possible way. I am forever grateful for the donor hero and his family who allowed me to have those extra years with my dad.”

Kara Steele

Frank’s career at Life Connection of Ohio began in 2020, where he climbed the ladder from Organ Recovery Coordinator to Recovery Services Night Shift Supervisor to Manager of Recovery Services to Manager of Hospital Services. In 2023, Frank was promoted to Director of Recovery Services. In that role, Frank oversees the Recovery Services Department, which is responsible for facilitating organ donation. Prior to his roles at Life Connection of Ohio, Frank served as a Registered Nurse at Firelands Regional Medical Center and as a Travel Nurse.
Frank earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Toledo and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo. He is a member of the American Council of Healthcare Executives.
&#8220;I am grateful to work with a group of people dedicated to the mission and vision of Life Connection of Ohio,&#8221; Frank said.

Frank Thompson

Theresa joined Life Connection of Ohio in 2022 as Manager of Hospital Services in the Toledo Regional Office, and in 2023, she was promoted to Director of Hospital Services. In that role, Theresa oversees the Hospital Services Department, which is responsible for creating a positive culture of donation within the hospitals Life Connection of Ohio serves. Prior to her roles at Life Connection of Ohio, Theresa served as a nurse practitioner in women’s health and pediatrics.
Theresa earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Lourdes University and a Master of Science in nursing from the Medical College of Ohio.
Theresa’s passion for Life Connection of Ohio’s mission is personal.
“My cousin’s husband is a living donor recipient. His donor gave the ultimate gift to a stranger, and she has since been in my cousin&#8217;s wedding, and they are very close,” Theresa said. “All of this was occurring when I was trying to decide where to go next professionally, and the stars aligned.”

Theresa Barabash

Laura joined Life Connection of Ohio in 2021 as the Manager of Family Services in the Dayton Regional Office, and in 2024, she was promoted to Director of Family Services. In that role, Laura oversees the Family Services Department, which is responsible for offering the opportunity for donation to potential donor families and providing on-site support to families. Prior to her roles at Life Connection of Ohio, Laura served as a Registered Nurse at Miami Valley Hospital for 10 years, including seven years in the heart and vascular intensive care unit.
Laura earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Kettering College.
“Acts of kindness make lasting impressions that will affect many lives. Organ donation is a life-saving gift that has the potential to impact every life touched during the process. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to work with this team and contribute to Life Connection of Ohio’s mission,” Laura said.

Laura Buehner

Lisa’s career in the organ donation field began at Nevada Donor Network, where she served as Quality Auditor. In 2020, Lisa was named Life Connection of Ohio’s Manager of Quality Systems, and in 2021, Lisa was promoted to Director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs. In that role, Lisa oversees the Quality and Regulatory Affairs Department, which is responsible for ensuring readiness for audits and regulatory inspections as well as training and development. Prior to her roles at Life Connection of Ohio and Nevada Donor Network, Lisa spent 20 years with the American Red Cross Blood Services, where she served as Director of Blood Collections in Illinois and Nevada.
Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science in clinical laboratory science from Illinois State University and a Master of Science in management and leadership from Western Governors University. Lisa is a certified quality auditor from the American Society for Quality.
“It is an honor to work for an organization where all of us are committed to the mission of Life Connection of Ohio,” Lisa said. “My passion for both the life-saving work of organ donation and integrating and teaching others about quality principles has led me to the fortunate position of being able to work in the service of saving and improving lives while sharing my knowledge and understanding of a system-wide organizational approach to quality.”

Lisa Mott

Melinda joined Life Connection of Ohio in 2021 as Director of Human Resources. In that role, Melinda oversees the Human Resources Department, which is responsible for maximizing the potential of Life Connection of Ohio staff. Prior to her role at Life Connection of Ohio, Melinda worked in the human resources field for more than 25 years with experience ranging from talent acquisition and employee engagement to benefits and performance management.
Melinda earned a Bachelor of Science in organizational studies and business administration from Northern Kentucky University and a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Mount St. Joseph University. She earned a professional human resources certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute and she is a Society for Human Resource Management certified professional.
“My team’s mission is to foster an environment where team members are provided with the resources and opportunities for continuous growth and development, which translates into an outstanding experience for those we serve in support of the organization’s mission to save and enhance as many lives as possible through organ, eye and tissue donation,” Melinda said.

Melinda Amrein

Amy’s career at Life Connection of Ohio began in 2008 as a Senior Accountant. In 2017, Amy was promoted to Director of Finance. In that role, Amy oversees the Finance Department, which is responsible for financial operations and organizational performance.
Amy earned a Bachelor of Science in individualized studies from the University of Toledo and an associate degree in accounting from Owens Technical College. She serves as The Foundation for the Science of Human Donation Treasurer.
“Life Connection of Ohio is continuously innovating to ensure organizational growth and to provide excellent service to the community. The organization truly values all donor heroes and their families, community partners and staff members,” Amy said. “The staff at Life Connection of Ohio is passionate about the organization’s mission and strive to achieve it every day. We have a hardworking team that works together to honor donors and their families for giving someone else a second chance at life.”

Amy Varner

Kevin joined Life Connection of Ohio in 2023 as the Director of Information Services and Data Management. In that role, Kevin oversees the Information Services and Data Management Department, which provides technology, tools and data resources that enable Life Connection of Ohio to monitor trends, embrace opportunities for improvement and increase operational efficiency. Prior to his role at Life Connection of Ohio, Kevin spent more than 15 years guiding IT strategy, operations and vision for high-profile healthcare organizations, including leading large-scale IT infrastructure and system integration projects at a nationally ranked academic medical center.
Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from Assumption College and holds a Project Management Professional Certificate from the University of Vermont.
“I am passionate about leveraging technology to drive organizational success and support life-saving initiatives. At Life Connection of Ohio, our mission is not just about operational efficiency but making a real impact by saving, extending and enhancing lives. Leading the Information Services and Data Management team, I am dedicated to ensuring that our IT infrastructure is robust, secure and innovative,&#8221; Kevin said. &#8220;I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across all departments to implement technology-driven solutions that support our vital work and help us achieve our ambitious goals. Together, we serve our teams so our teams can serve our community.&#8221;

Director of Information Services and Data Management

Meet The Leadership Team