Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter Leadership

Lynsie joined Breakthrough T1D in 2024. She serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter for Breakthrough T1D. Lynsie provides leadership to team members, oversight of Chapter operations, leads relationship building with major donors and corporate executives, and develops and sustains an effective volunteer Board of Directors.

To reach Lynsie, please email her at lestes@breakthroughT1D.org

Jessie is a Sr. Development Director who has been working for Breakthrough T1D since 2017.  She oversees the implementation of our Chapter Signature Events programs consisting of Galas, Golf, and other special events including corporate development for the program, management of the Detroit Promise Ball, and leadership giving.

To reach Jessie, please email her at jjimenez@breakthrought1d.org

Krystal is a Sr. Development Director who has been working for Breakthrough T1D since 2011.  She oversees the implementation of our Chapter Peer to Peer program including corporate development for the program, management of the T1D Walk in Detroit, and leadership giving.

To reach Krystal, please email at kdunlap@breakthrought1d.org

April has been working for Breakthrough T1D since 2019. She manages donor relations chapterwide. April’s husband and adult son live with type 1 diabetes.

Reach April at agasbarre@breakthrought1d.org or 734-474-2176.

Jillian has been working for Breakthrough T1D since 2016. As a Development Director residing in West Michigan, she manages our Breakthrough T1D Walks in Grand Rapids and East Lansing, Grand Rapids Gala. Jillian also manages the Breakthrough T1D Ride team for the chapter.

Jillian’s son, Trace, was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 2.

To reach Jillian, please email her at jcrane@breakthroughT1D.org

Jamie has been with Breakthrough T1D since July of 2018. She focuses her time on growing the Northern Ohio markets (Akron/Canton, Cleveland, and Toledo) by building relationships with T1D families, donors, and volunteers.  She also manages the Cleveland gala and golf events.  Jamie’s daughter, Aubriella, was diagnosed with T1D in 2017.

To reach Jamie, please email her at jbell-tritt@breakthrought1d.org

Beau has been working for Breakthrough T1D since January 2022.  He oversees all our community engagement efforts, which include newly diagnosed families, healthcare partnerships, community Summits, and Youth Ambassadors. In addition, Beau handles industry partner relationships and sponsorship for all chapter programs.

To reach Beau, please contact him via email, btrussell@breakthroughT1D.org, or by cell, 248-303-5046.

Rachel joined Breakthrough T1D in October 2021 with several years of prior non-profit and business experience. She is a Michigan State University alumna where she earned her degree in Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy.

In her role as a Development Manager for the Michigan & Northern Ohio Chapter, she thoroughly enjoys engaging with the families in the chapter. She loves sharing and spreading the Breakthrough T1D mission and cultivating new relationships with families and organizations.

To reach Rachel, please contact her at rdawkins@breakthrought1d.org

Lia has been working for Breakthrough T1D since 2021.  She handles our Breakthrough T1D Run teams along with Breakthrough T1D Your Way fundraising programs.  In addition, Lia handles logistics for all Breakthrough T1D Walks in our chapter.

Lia’s daughter, Julia, was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 1.

To reach Lia, please email her at lbenn@breakthroughT1D.org

Deb rejoined Breakthrough T1D in 2023.   She has had twenty-one years in total with Breakthrough T1D.  She has responsibilities including administrative and chapter event support.

To reach Deb, please email her at dwallace@breakthroughT1D.org.

Sarah joined Breakthrough T1D in 2024 and manages area walks and the YA program in Northern Ohio. She also supports various event details for golf and gala. Sarah enjoys developing meaningful connections with T1D families and their loved ones.

To contact Sarah, please email sfritz@breakthrought1d.org or call 216-606-0054.

Angelica joined the Breakthrough T1D team in 2025 and manages the Jackson and Ann Arbor walks as well as the Youth Ambassador program in Southeast Michigan.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes since 2013, she brings a personal passion to her work and is dedicated to advancing the mission to cure Type 1 Diabetes.

Abigail began working at Breakthrough T1D in 2024. She works from the Southfield office to coordinate auction and signature events in the Detroit area. She also manages our chapter communications. Her father was diagnosed with T1D when she was in high school, so she has been familiar with Breakthrough T1D for a long time. She is excited to be supporting such an important cause.

To reach Abigail, please email anelson@BreakthroughT1D.org or by phone at 248-936-1285

Elle started working for Breakthrough T1D in 2024.  She coordinates the Breakthrough T1D Gala, Walk, and Run programs in East Lansing and Grands Rapids, MI, along with Donor communications and engagement.

To reach Elle, please email her at etimmerman@breakthrought1d.org or by phone at 248-936-1287