Executive Leadership

Joseph Ferreira

President & Chief Executive Officer

Joe Ferreira began his role as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Nevada Donor Network in April 2012.

Ferreira brings years of experience and expertise in the organ procurement field. He spent 14 years at Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency in Miami, Florida where he served as the Director of Clinical Operations for seven years, and is certified in all aspects of the organ donation and recovery process.

Ferreira has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology and an MBA, with a specialization in Healthcare Administration and Policy, from the University of Miami. He serves as a coach for the Art and Science of Leadership Program at the Wharton School and Fox School of Business.

Ferreira has served as a member-at-large on the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) Executive Committee, and is the President of AOPO (2020-2021). He is a certified member of the National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), a certified faculty member of the North American Transplant Coordinators Organization (NATCO), and a past board member of the Nevada Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). He has served as the Chairman of the Procurement Council for AOPO and as an at-large representative on four committees for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Ferreira is a published author and speaker on organ donation. He has presented at conferences and meetings around the world. He consults internationally and has provided guidance to several foreign governments on the establishment or improvement of organ donation and transplant systems based on the U.S. model. He was also the recipient of the Kruger Award for 'Outstanding Professional- Transplant Services' by the Transplant Foundation in Miami.

Jason Mahfood

Chief Financial Officer

Jason Mahfood served as Nevada Donor Network’s (NDN) Board Treasurer prior to accepting the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2014.

Mahfood has vast financial expertise, with a focus on long-term integration of best practices and prevailing standards to ensure timely compliance. He directed financial operations as Assistant Controller and Controller for Capital Regional Medical Center and Coral Gables Hospital in Florida. Mahfood served as the Associate Vice President of Finance for the University of Miami Hospital prior to becoming CFO, of Town and Country Hospital in Tampa and Wuesthoff Health System in Melbourne.

Mahfood has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Florida State University, Tallahassee and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. As CFO, he uses his extensive knowledge and skill to lead NDN to unparalleled financial growth and success. In addition to his role at NDN, he is currently the Finance Chair for the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO).

Tyre Gray

Chief Administrative Officer

Tyre L. Gray, Esq. is a charismatic and savvy thought-leader known for his big laugh, sharp dress, and great appreciation for live music. With over two decades of experience holding leadership positions in the consulting, resorts, and legal industries, Tyre has acquired, and continues to develop, a wide range of skills that make him an effective leader of teams. Born in a part of San Diego “you don’t see on the postcards”, Tyre’s childhood experiences led him to initially seek a career in education, where he cut his teeth at an at-risk learning academy. In his mid-20’s, a chance physical revealed Tyre was living with chronic kidney disease. Years later, when his health began to fail, instead of waiting for the reaper to come, Tyre decided to pursue a law degree. In 2012, Tyre received a kidney transplant and went on to graduate at the top of his class, pass three bar exams (CA, AZ, & NV) in 368 days, and join a large regional law firm. As an attorney, Tyre represented Fortune 5, 100, 500 companies before local, state, and federal regulatory and legislative bodies across the western states. Tyre lives in Henderson, NV, with his wife, Ashanti, son Adonis, and daughter, Reign. 

Sara Levinson

Vice President of People, Culture + Development

Sara Levinson has been leading Nevada Donor Network’s (NDN) People, Culture + Development team since 2014 with oversight of the human resources, education and development functions. She started as the Director of Human Resources, and was promoted the Vice President of People, Culture + Development in 2023. Employee retention and a positive culture are two areas Levinson is most passionate about.

Prior to NDN, Levinson spent ten years in private medical practice and hospitals in employee relations and labor relations roles. Prior positions afforded her the opportunity to be involved in union contract negotiations for three hospitals and two separate unions.

Levinson still cheers on all Arizona State University teams as she graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in family and human development. She also holds two master’s degrees. One in human resources management and most recently, she earned her MBA through WGU-Nevada in 2019. Levinson also obtained her Professional in Human Resources from the HRCI in 2011, and her Senior Professional in Human Resources in 2020.

Levinson enjoys vacationing to any beach location with her husband and two younger children.

Leadership Roles:

2015-2016: AOPO Vice Chair -Human Resources Council

2016-2017: AOPO Chair – Human Resources Council

2020-2021: AOPO Annual Meeting Faculty

Current: AOPO Membership Committee Member

SHRM: 2010 Certification Vice President

Elizabeth Shipman

Vice President of Organ Operations

As the Vice President of Organ Operations, Elizabeth Shipman is responsible for overseeing, directing, and managing family, clinical, surgical and hospital services operations for the nonprofit organization. She has been leading NDN’s Organ Services team since 2021 as NDN’s Director of Organ Services.

As a native Floridian, she began her career in transplant at Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency in 2013. She found her passion for serving others through organ donation and transplantation. Shipman joined Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) in 2016 and continued to grow in her career advancing into management roles including the development of the in-house organ intake center and organ perfusion program at MTI.

Shipman serves on the Vascularized Composite Allograft Transplantation (VCA) Committee for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. She is also very involved within Region 5, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). 

Shipman obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration, specializing in Health Care Administration from Florida International University.