Southern Texas Chapter Leadership

Rick Byrd started his career with the YMCA of Greater Houston as a Program Director at the Post Oak YMCA. Since then, he has held a variety of positions, within the organization, including Executive Director of the Weekley Family YMCA, District Executive Director and most recently as the Vice President for Development/Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Houston Endowment Foundation. During his tenure, Rick has been recognized for his fundraising achievements as well as leadership capabilities. Rick also has a proven track-record of organizational revenue growth, board and volunteer development, strategic planning and positive community relations.

Rick currently serves as Treasurer for the Houston Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is the President and founding member of the Wilchester Neighborhood Men’s Club, a 501 (c) 3, non-profit, with a mission to give back to the community and those in need. Rick is married to Susan and they have two children, Alexander and Elizabeth. They both are actively involved in their community and local schools. Rick also enjoys coaching his children in various sports throughout the year.

Corporate Development

Deon Dillard is a native Houstonian and proud graduate of Sam Houston State University. She spent over 12 years as a Pharmaceutical Representative before making the transition to non-profit. Deon has worked in non-profit for five years and has a very successful track record in managing galas, walks, luncheons, and community service projects. She really enjoys working with people and making a difference in the community. She will celebrate 18 years of marriage in 2017 and is the proud mother of two teenagers.

Ingrid joins Breakthrough T1D with over fifteen years of experience leading Sales and Development teams as well as planning events at Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Tesla and Tiffany & Co.
Before moving to Austin in 2008 she was a fashion designer for kids clothing lines at Target, and still makes time for creative pursuits by painting in her free time. Along with her husband and five-year-old son, Henry, they enjoy hikes in the parks around Austin, making a good taco, practicing yoga and volunteering at her son’s school. The Breakthrough T1D mission is important to Ingrid as she has close friends who have been diagnosed with Type 1 as well as experiencing gestational diabetes herself when pregnant with her son. She is thrilled to join the Southern Texas team!

Danelle has called Austin and Central Texas home for over 30 years and brings 7 years of dedicated experience in healthcare nonprofit development and leadership to the Breakthrough TID Southern Texas Chapter. She began her career as a public school educator with Round Rock ISD before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, where she contributed her expertise to Austin Speech Labs and Cheyanna’s Champions 4 Children. With a Master’s in Special Education and a strong background in program management, donor relations, and event coordination, Danelle is deeply committed to building meaningful partnerships to further Breakthrough T1D’s mission. Outside of work, Danelle and her husband, Galen, are proud parents of Audrey and Sarah and currently reside on Lake Buchanan in Burnet, TX. 

Celia was diagnosed with T1D in 2009 and have been part of the BreakthroughT1D community where she grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She just recently moved to Austin. In her free time, she loves hanging out with friends and family, enjoying the sun, and staying active.

Madison joins Breakthrough T1D as a born and raised Austinite who has volunteered with JDRF since 2002 after her own T1D diagnosis. Madison served as the Austin JDRF Teen Ambassador for three years, then became an outreach mentor in 2010. Since graduating from Texas State University in 2012 with her BA in Journalism: Public Relations and BFA in Dance Studies, Madison has worked at some of the top public relations agencies in the world, then transitioned into education where she served as a head dance director for ten years across various campuses. Most recently, Madison worked in a medical clinic where she supported and coordinated patient care while pursuing her Master’s in Dance Education at Texas Woman’s University where her research focuses on youth community development and engagement through movement. In her free time, Madison loves to read, write, hang out with her dog Romeo Montegoobe, and pursue her passion of various circus arts.

Sr. Development Manager leading the Breakthrough T1D One Walk Program for the Austin & South Central Texas markets of the Southern Texas Chapter. She grew up in San Antonio and over the last 20 years has worked in hospitality, non-profit, and sales. Sarah lives in San Antonio with her husband, Kevin. They have two daughters, Hannah (18) who will be attending Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the fall, and Charlotte (5) who is obsessed with dinosaurs and will start Kindergarten in the fall. “I am looking forward to working with this incredible team and our community to create a world without type one!”

Samantha comes to Breakthrough T1D with over 20 years of experience in understanding the highs and lows of Type 1 Diabetes. Her career started with working as a Clinical Specialist and Registered Dietitian. However, she has many years of personal experience; Samantha was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 8 and since then has made it her life’s mission to help others with Diabetes navigate the challenges and provide support in their journey. Samantha has been participating in Breakthrough T1D walks since her diagnosis and with her family would walk in celebration of her Diabetes Anniversary. In addition, she volunteered with Camp Independence during her High School and Collegiate years, giving children with Type 1 and their families an opportunity to gain confidence in managing Diabetes.

Samantha has led and organized multiple philanthropy events for the speech and hearing impaired through her Sorority, Delta Zeta, as both a collegiate leader and alumni volunteer advisor. She is also a member of the San Antonio Delta Zeta Alumni chapter where she has participated as a member of the host chapter for the Panhellenic Association of San Antonio’s Annual Scholarship Luncheon.

“I am beyond excited to be able to work for Breakthrough T1D and be able to utilize my experiences and skills to create a network of support for the Type 1 Diabetes communities of San Antonio and Austin. It is truly an honor to work with a team that shares the same passion that I have for providing hope and inspiration to this community, which is what I received at all the walks I’ve attended. Now I am happy to say it is now my time to do the same with others as a part of the Breakthrough T1D family.”

Samantha is a graduate of St. Mary’s University, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and the University of the Incarnate Word. She is born and raised a San Antonian and currently lives there with her husband, Cole, and their two dogs Luna and Rio.

Tamara, a native Houstonian with a degree from St. Edward’s University, is excited to return to Breakthrough T1D as Development Manager leading the Breakthrough T1D One Walk program in the Houston area. Over the last 10 years, she has found great success in nonprofit work with her ability to build authentic relationships and passion for helping others. Tamara has a genuine desire to help elevate local organizations reach their goals. Tamara loves all things Houston sports and is going into her third year as a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Committeeman!

Mandy Porter joined Breakthrough T1D in March 2023. She is a native Houstonian and brings over 15 years of non-profit fundraising experience to the organization.

After graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a bachelor’s in business administration, she began her non-profit development career. Mandy has worked with several Houston non-profit organizations including St. John’s School, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and the Lone Star Flight Museum. She and her husband Chuck are parents to two boys: Charlie (9) and Drake (5).

Maddy Dicks comes to us with a background in dietetics and 25 years of experience as a type one diabetic herself.  She is very excited and proud to work in an organization that has improved the lives of T1Ds across the globe.

Maddy is a graduate from Texas Tech University. She moved to Houston with her husband Bronson and chocolate lab Charlotte after completing her dietetic internship in 2019.  As a long time diabetic, Maddy looks forward to engaging with the type one community as we search for a cure together.

Poplar Yuan is an experienced exclusive assistant and event planner with a proven track record of successfully organizing and executing a wide range of tasks and events.

With expertise in logistics coordination, marketing, and vendor management, Poplar has a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. Armed with a master’s degree in international journalism from Baylor University, Poplar brings strong communication skills to the table.

In her free time, Poplar enjoys staying up to date with the latest event industry trends. She also loves photography and Lego.

Matt loves bringing people together and making a difference through his work. He is thrilled to join the Breakthrough T1D team and get to support a cause that he is so passionate about, making type one, type none.