JDRF - Key Persons

Aaron J. Kowalski - CEO

Job Titles:

Chief Executive Officer
Chief Mission Officer
Policy Leader
Scientific Expert in T1D

As CEO of JDRF, a global leader in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, Dr. Kowalski drives strategies to accelerate progress toward cures - and simultaneously advance breakthroughs that enable people with T1D to live longer, healthier lives. Dr. Kowalski, an internationally recognized scientific expert in T1D research, brings his personal experience of living with T1D for over 35 years to his life's work. He is a champion of the T1D community and a passionate advocate for federal research funding as well as for coverage, choice and affordability of T1D technology and treatments. Dr. Kowalski joined JDRF in 2004 and most recently served as Chief Mission Officer, leading research and advocacy strategy. He has long worked to define and streamline the therapy pipeline so developments in the laboratory more quickly become real-world solutions for people with T1D. Dr. Kowalski was pivotal in the transformation of JDRF from an organization primarily funding academic research to a highly engaged strategic funder influencing all stages of the research and development pipeline. Under his leadership, JDRF today collaborates across the global T1D community and works closely with senior industry executives and leaders in academia, clinical care, and government. Dr. Kowalski authored numerous articles on T1D research that are improving standards of care. His artificial pancreas (AP) roadmap, adopted by the diabetes industry, significantly accelerated the development and regulatory approval of the world's first commercial AP system and the roadmap is now driving next generation systems. Dr. Kowalski led the landmark JDRF CGM Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, that prompted private and government insurers to cover continuous glucose monitoring, opening up access to this critical technology. As the policy leader for JDRF, Dr. Kowalski regularly advises members of Congress and leaders of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration on issues surrounding access to T1D therapies and regulatory frameworks that promote innovation. He is a champion for coverage, affordability, and choice of therapies, advocating for life-saving treatment options and expanded access to help people with T1D stay healthy until there is a cure. Dr. Kowalski travels and speaks globally about T1D, presenting at many national and international conferences, including ADA's Annual Scientific Sessions, EASD, ATTD, AACE, and AADE. He has lived with T1D since the age of 13 following the T1D diagnosis of his younger brother Stephen at the age of 3. While living with T1D, he has completed more than two dozen marathons and he remains an avid golfer, ice hockey player, and birdwatcher. Dr. Kowalski and his wife Michele, a high school biology teacher, have three children. He earned his doctorate in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers University.

Alyssa Recoon

ar..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Development Manager, Signature Events

Amy Adams

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Ann Ford

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Anne Pillion

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Bala Balasubramanian - CIO

Job Titles:

Chief Information Officer
Member of the Executive Team

Barry Mitchell

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Bob Laskey

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Bob Pillion

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Brian Annulis

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Brodie Bertrand

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Burt Mendelson

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Carol Brownstein

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Carol Fox

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Cathy Walsh

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Connie Magnuson

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Dan Nardi

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Daniel A. Byrne

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

David Carlson

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

David Miniat

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Debbie Gordon

Job Titles:

at Large Member

Debbie Gordon has been on the Board of Directors since 2019. She is currently serving her second term as Leadership Giving Chair. Debbie has a spouse and two children living with T1D.

Dodie Perlberg

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Ellen Smith

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Francesca Zucker

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Gabe Bishop

gb..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Development Assistant

Geoff Hoffmann

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Grant Beard

Job Titles:

Member of the Officers Team
Chairman, International Board of Directors

Grant Deady

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Gregory O. Clark

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Gregory Tepas

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Gretchen Livingston

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Hank Mawicke

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Heather Chamberlain

hc..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Director, Donor Relations

Heather Wright

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Heidi Merritt

hm..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Development Director, Signature Events

Jack Cantlin

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Jean Norris

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Jennifer McDonald

Job Titles:

Senior Development Manager, Peer to Peer Programs

Jennifer Woolford

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Jesse Raben

Job Titles:

Member of the Executive Team
Chief Legal and Risk Officer

Jim Durkin

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Joan Beaubaire

Job Titles:

Illinois Life Director

John Johnston

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

John W. Treece

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Jonathon Vree

Jonathon Vree has been on the Board of Directors since 2021. He is currently serving his first term as Peer to Peer Chair. His son Emmett lives with T1D.

Joseph P. Lacher

Job Titles:

at Large Member

Joe Lacher has been on the Board of Directors since 2011. He is currently an At-Large Member. Joe is also serving as Chair of the JDRF International Board of Directors. Joseph lives with T1D and has two children living with T1D.

Josh Dunnington

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Julie Johnston

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Kacie Herbst

kh..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Senior Development Manager, Signature Events

Karen Case

Job Titles:

Illinois Life Director

Karey L. Witty - CEO

Job Titles:

Chief Executive Officer

Karl Fruecht

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Kathleen Candela

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Kathleen Seitz

Job Titles:

Member of the Executive Team
Chief Global Development Officer

Kathryn Macabobby

km..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Community Engagement Manager

Kathy Mullen

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Katie Ellias

Job Titles:

Member of the Executive Team
Managing Director, T1D Fund

Katrina Meckes

km..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Development Manager, Peer to Peer Programs

Kayne Grau

Job Titles:

Leadership Giving Chair

Ken Aldridge

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Kevin M. Boyle

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Kim Smith

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Kirk Allen

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Laura Dunne

Job Titles:

President of the Board

Laura Dunne is currently serving as Board President. Her daughter Leah lives with T1D.

Lee Ducat

Job Titles:

Illinois Life Director

Libby Winter

lw..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Senior Development Manager, Signature Events

Linda Brongel

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Lindsey Riley-McCarthy

Job Titles:

Senior Development Manager, Outreach & Peer to Peer Programs

Lisa Bottorff

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Lynn Lipsig

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Lynn Starr

Job Titles:

Member of the Executive Team
Chief Global Advocacy & Policy Officer

Marc Bassewitz

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Marci Eisenstein

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Marcus Quaranta

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Margaret Nick

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Marisa Perino

mp..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Development Manager, Peer to Peer Programs

Mark J. Andrus

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Mark Schauerte

Job Titles:

Advocacy Chair

Marlene Mendelson

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Matthew Carletti

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Matthew J. Grubb

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Max Heitner

Job Titles:

Member of the JDRF Illinois Sustaining Board

Megyn Byrnes

mb..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Director, Peer to Peer Programs

Melissa Laskey

Job Titles:

Community Engagement Chair

Melissa Laskey has been on the Board of Directors since 2019. She is currently serving her second term as Outreach Chair. Melissa has a child living with T1D.

Melissa North

mn..@jdrf.org

Job Titles:

Development Manager, Signature Events

Michael Alter

Job Titles:

at Large Member

Michael Alter has been on the Board of Directors since 2010. He is currently an At-Large member. Michael is also serving as a member on the JDRF International Board of Directors. Michael lives with T1D.