AFA President & CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. has built his career around one driving purpose: improving the lives of others. That commitment defines both his professional path and his personal mission.
Since taking the helm of AFA in 2014, Fuschillo has transformed the organization into a national leader in dementia care, support, and education. He has expanded programs, strengthened services, grown membership, and increased revenue — all while maintaining rigorous fiscal discipline. Under his leadership, AFA consistently earns Charity Navigator’s highest four‑star rating for transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
Fuschillo has dramatically strengthened AFA’s Helpline, extending operations from limited weekday hours to a full seven‑day‑a‑week service and adding web‑chat and text capabilities in more than 90 languages. He also launched “Allison,” AFA’s Virtual Helpline Assistant, which supplements the Helpline’s work by providing around‑the‑clock answers to hundreds of common dementia‑related questions. He further elevated AFA’s impact by expanding “National Memory Screening Day” into a year‑round National Memory Screening Program offering free, confidential memory screenings to individuals across the country.
He has championed innovative, community‑focused initiatives, including the multi‑year “Educating Across America Tour,” which brings vital information on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, brain health, caregiving, and care planning directly to communities nationwide.
He opened AFA’s Education & Resource Center and the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center, creating welcoming spaces for dementia‑friendly programming. He also oversaw the development of AFA’s children’s books, Dancing With Granddad and Gardening With Grandma, which help adults explain Alzheimer’s disease to children in an accessible, age‑appropriate way.
Fuschillo’s commitment to innovation is evident in projects like The Apartment— a full‑scale model residence that demonstrates practical ways to make homes safer and more dementia‑friendly. He also led the creation of the nation’s first Respite Care Relief Parks, offering individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers a supportive outdoor environment to relax, connect, and learn about available services. Under his leadership, AFA has significantly increased grant funding for community‑based programs and research toward a cure, delivering meaningful help today and hope for tomorrow.
Before joining AFA, Fuschillo served nearly 16 years as a New York State Senator, where he authored more than 200 laws, including measures that expanded access to health services and strengthened protections for individuals with cognitive conditions. He served more than 300,000 constituents and regularly hosted free health screening programs throughout his district.
Earlier in his career, he served as Chief Operating Officer of a New York‑based nonprofit family service agency.
Fuschillo’s lifelong dedication to public service has earned him numerous honors, including the Excellence in Healthcare Award from the Long Island Herald; the Autism Advocacy Award and Legislative Champion Award from Autism Speaks; The Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for Individual Leadership and Service; the Pendl Badge of Courage Award; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York State Grand Lodge Foundation. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York and serves on the Board of Trustees at Adelphi University.