Waltham-based organ donation leader named to national post

A top leader at New England Donor Services will take on a national role later this month, marking a notable moment for the Waltham-based nonprofit and the broader organ donation system.

Allison Erickson, chief administrative officer at NEDS, has been named president of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations’ 2026-2027 board of directors. She will assume the role on June 22.

Her appointment places a senior leader from the Waltham-headquartered organization at the forefront of national efforts to strengthen organ donation and transplantation, as the field faces evolving federal performance standards, regulatory changes and ongoing demand for transplants.

“Ali’s outstanding leadership represents the best of New England Donor Services,” said Alexandra K. Glazier, president and CEO of NEDS. “Her appointment is also a recognition of our organization’s ongoing commitment to advancing organ donation nationwide.”

Erickson has spent more than 16 years in executive leadership at NEDS, helping grow the organization’s reach across a six-state region. Today, NEDS is the second-largest organ procurement organization in the country by donation volume.

During her tenure, Erickson helped lead a major merger of organ procurement organizations, expanded workforce development initiatives and built leadership and mentorship programs aimed at improving employee engagement and retention. She has also been active within AOPO, promoting collaboration among member organizations and advancing leadership and operational initiatives.

Founded in 1984, AOPO represents the nation’s 55 organ-procurement organizations and works to advance organ donation and transplantation while sharing best practices across the field.

NEDS, founded in 1968 by Nobel laureate Dr. Joseph Murray, coordinates organ and tissue donation across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, eastern Vermont and Bermuda. The nonprofit works with more than 200 hospitals to screen potential donors, support families through the donation process, coordinate the allocation and transport of organs for transplant. It also provides ongoing aftercare services for donor families, including opportunities to honor loved ones and connect with recipients.

NEDS leaders said Erickson’s appointment positions both the organization and the region to help shape the future of organ donation nationwide.