.png)
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate individuals united by a shared mission: to fight for families affected by Huntington’s Disease and Juvenile Huntington’s Disease. Each member brings unique expertise and a deep personal connection to the cause, helping to guide Champions for HD with integrity, heart, and purpose. Whether through leadership, advocacy, or lived experience, our board plays a vital role in everything we do.
💌 Have a question or want to connect? Feel free to reach out to any of us directly via the email listed in our profiles below.
Founder & President
Shelby (Lentz) Smithers
Shelby founded Champions for HD after testing positive for Huntington’s Disease at age 20 — following diagnoses across three generations of her family. A Michigan native and singer/songwriter, her music and personal story have become a voice of strength in the HD community.
Her song “Champion” sparked the vision for this nonprofit, and she continues to advocate through both her music and mission. Shelby lives in Michigan with her husband, Trey, and released her most recent album, Teenage Diary, in 2023.
Vice President
Dan Ballock
Dan is the owner of South Haven Brewpub and one of the earliest supporters of Champions for HD. He met Shelby in 2015 when he hired her to perform, and after her diagnosis, brought her the idea to launch a nonprofit. Since then, Dan has hosted numerous fundraisers and been a key advocate for the cause.
He now balances business life with his favorite role—being a husband and new dad to a baby girl.
Secretary
Tracy Dehammer
Tracy Derhammer has spent nearly two decades serving Paw Paw Public Schools as a teacher and principal. A graduate of Western Michigan University with a Master’s in Educational Leadership, she’s also coached cheerleading at both the high school and collegiate levels.
A devoted Huntington’s Disease advocate and mom to three daughters, Tracy volunteers annually with the Enroll-HD study at the University of Michigan alongside her gene-positive daughter, Shelby. She’s also a proud Wolverine fan who rarely misses a home game with her husband, Brian.
Marketing
Delaney Lentz
Delaney Lentz holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama and recently earned her master’s in Data Analytics from Loyola University. As Shelby’s sister and someone at risk for Huntington’s Disease, Delaney has seen firsthand the impact HD can have on a family.
Beyond advocacy, she shares a deep love for the arts. She’s performed in musicals, pageants, and alongside Shelby for years. While at Alabama, Delaney was also a member of HallyUA, a K-pop dance and social club that celebrated creativity and community.
Treasurer
Lisa Walter
Lisa Walter brings both personal connection and professional expertise to Champions for HD. As Shelby and Delaney’s aunt, she has witnessed the profound impact Huntington’s Disease has had on their family and felt called to be part of the mission.
With over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, Lisa is a CPA and graduate of Western Michigan University. She lends her financial insight and heart for service to help Champions support HD families nationwide. In her free time, Lisa enjoys being outdoors, horseback riding, and making memories with those she loves most.
Regional Outreach & Fundraising Liaison
Judy Griffin
Judy Griffin is a special education teacher in Minnetonka, Minnesota with degrees from Western Michigan University and Calvin University. She met Ashley, a student with Juvenile Huntington’s Disease, and was deeply impacted by the strength and resilience of HD families.
Judy and her husband, Jon, have been married for 36 years and are proud parents to three grown children—and new grandparents. A lifelong Cubs fan since 1969, she brings both heart and dedication to her role with Champions for HD.
Chair of Community Fundraising
Gail Shurlow
Gail Shurlow became connected to Huntington’s Disease after her husband’s diagnosis in 2009. Following his passing, she turned grief into purpose—raising over $70,000 through marathons and fundraisers.
A nurse, mother, and grandmother, Gail proudly advocates for families facing HD and Juvenile HD. She’s honored to serve on the board of Champions for HD and continues to push for progress and hope.