About YPC

The Greater New York Metro Young Professionals Committee (YPC) is a group of young professionals (ages 22-40) who come together to make a difference for those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by actively supporting Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) and T1D research. Thanks in part to our efforts, those living with T1D are experiencing fewer dangerous highs and lows, fewer finger pokes and injections, more time-in-range, more affordable insulin, and more.

Young Professionals play a pivotal role in enhancing the mission of Breakthrough T1D. We’re here to drive progress towards cures for T1D and help make everyday life better for the people who face it through meaningful volunteer experiences, fundraising events, mission programs, and more.

Breakthrough T1D’s Young Professionals Committee is your link to the local community- whether you find yourself in your hometown or a brand new city, Breakthrough T1D is here to provide a network of friends and connections who share your passion for driving T1D breakthroughs through fundraising, advocacy, volunteering, and education.

Our members have unique ties to T1D – many live with it, others are connected through friends or family, and some simply have a passion for the cause. The common thread: we all want to turn type one into type none.

It is with this support that we move closer to creating a world without T1D. If interested in joining the YPC, contact:

Breakthrough T1D Chapter Liaison: Michelle Nardelli, mnardelli@BreakthroughT1D.org

Breakthrough T1D Greater New York Metro YPC: GNYM_YPC@BreakthroughT1D.org

Meet the YPC 2024-2025 Executive Board

Jon Marcus, President 

• Jon has been involved with Breakthrough T1D since he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 20 years ago. He and his family have been involved with Breakthrough T1D in a number of ways over the last 20 years. His mother (Ellen) was a former Breakthrough T1D Board member, and his family was a top fundraiser for the former Long Island Chapter. Jon also ran the 2022 NYC Marathon as a part of Team Breakthrough T1D!  

Adah Lindquist, Vice-President 

• This is Adah’s second year on the YPC Executive Board. She graduated from Bates College in 2019 with a degree in Economics & Art History. Adah works full time for Liberty Mutual Insurance as a data strategy analyst and is a part-time yoga teacher at CorePower in Tribeca. Adah has been personally touched through close family members diagnosed with T1D and has been involved with Breakthrough T1D since a young age. This fall, Adah will be running for Team Breakthrough T1D in the NYC marathon! 

Christina Coughlin, Marketing & Social Media Chair

• Christina Coughlin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010 at 12 years old and has recently been involved with Breakthrough T1D since moving to New York City. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2019 with a degree in psychology & music, and now lives in the East Village working as a content strategist for Vice Media.  

Grace Choi, Membership Engagement Chair

• Grace is originally from Delaware but moved to New York for school and hasn’t left since. Grace works in finance but outside of work is where she thinks her life starts. Grace was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 21 in a dramatic whirlwind of events, and says every year since then has been a blessing. Fun fact: Grace adopted a lab-mix dog named Kenobi this year. 

Catherine Mullen, Events Chair 

• Catherine is excited to be the Events Chair for YPC this year. Having been diagnosed with T1D at the age of 13 months, Catherine is a proud supporter of Breakthrough T1D and our mission. Professionally, Catherine is a Manager at PwC and enjoys traveling, exploring NYC restaurants with friends, and spending time spinning, skiing and going to the beach.  

Mitchell Siegel, Co-Corporate Sponsorship Chair 

• Mitchell is a corporate associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, a law firm based in Midtown. He graduated from NYU School of Law in May 2023. Mitchell was diagnosed with T1D in 2009 and has since volunteered for Breakthrough T1D as a mentor and youth ambassador. While in high school, Mitchell chaired an annual flag football fundraiser that donated all funds to Breakthrough T1D. He continued his involvement with Breakthrough T1D in the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina region while attending college at Duke University. In his free time, Mitchell enjoys playing bass guitar in his cover band (the Rikkies) in addition to traveling and fitness.   

Alex Bournakis, Co-Corporate Sponsorship Chair 

• Alex is originally from the Chicagoland area and moved to Manhattan after graduating from Miami Ohio in 2019 with a degree in finance. Alex’s dad lives with T1D and is what motivated him to volunteer and get involved with Breakthrough T1D. Alex is a Senior Broker Relations Manager at FactSet. 

Stay connected with YPC!

Instagram: @breakthrought1d_ypcnyc