Denise Nicastro

Market Director, Northeastern NY

Denise joined Breakthrough T1D in 2015 as the Development Director for the Northeastern New York Chapter and moved into the Market Director role for the Upstate New York Chapter in 2020. Denise brings 13 years of nonprofit experience beginning in 2009 at the American Diabetes Association as the Associate Director.  Her focus and dedication are mission driven both professionally and personally, her daughter Grace being diagnosed with T1D eight years ago. Her expertise is in corporate development and management with focus on maximizing revenue through successful collaboration with corporate partners, volunteers, and donors

”I am excited to work with such a great team and accomplish the goals we set together in order to  create a world without  T1D!”

Email: DNicastro@BreakthroughT1D.org

Phone: 518-605-0594

Matthew Steffen

Market Director, Central & Western NY

Matt is excited to be part of the Upstate NY Breakthrough T1D team. He brings over 15 years of professional experience in event management, corporate partnerships, and fundraising. Matt joined Breakthrough T1D in November 2022 after five years as a front-line fundraising with the University of Rochester and Simon Business School.

Matt resides just outside of Rochester New York with his family and enjoys playing indoor beach volleyball, exploring local parks and hiking trails, along with cheering on the Buffalo Bills. Matt’s oldest nephew was diagnosed with T1D five years ago giving him extra motivation in his role as Breakthrough T1D pushes forward to find a cure for T1D.

Email: MSteffen@BreakthroughT1D.org

Phone: 585-746-6982

Danielle Unser Slater

Development Manager, Walk

Danielle Unser Slater was diagnosed with T1D at age 11 and has been involved with Breakthrough T1D and other diabetes organizations ever since. While attending The College of Saint Rose she was on the Walk to Cure Diabetes Committee and a member of the Breakthrough T1D Junior Board of Directors. Upon graduation in 2004 with a B.A. in Public Communications she became a Territory Manager for Johnson & Johnson and sold Animas and One Touch insulin pumps throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester. During that time, she volunteered with Divabetic and helped host interactive and dynamic diabetes education shows in NYC, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.

In 2012, she relocated back to Albany and shortly after became the Outreach and Development Manager for the Breakthrough T1D Northeastern New York Chapter where she had pivotal roles in Outreach, One Walk, One Hope Ball, and the Hoffman Golf Classic. After almost 8 years with Breakthrough T1D her position was eliminated during the restructure brought on by COVID-19. Almost immediately, Hoffman Development hired Danielle for their newly formed position of Community Outreach where Danielle’s primary objective is to support Breakthrough T1D in a volunteer role. In 2022, Danielle re-joined Breakthrough T1D as the Development Manager for the Upstate New York Chapter with a primary focus on One Walk.

Danielle shared, “I have never been more excited and hopeful that Breakthrough T1D is on the precipice of major breakthroughs and am thrilled to be able to contribute to our collective success.”

Email: DSlater@BreakthroughT1D.org

Phone: 518-477-2873

Brielle Commisso-Logan

Development Coordinator

Brielle first heard of Breakthrough T1D in 2018 when her nephew was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the years following, her family participated in Breakthrough T1D Walks to support him and raise money to support Breakthrough T1D’s mission.

Brielle joined the staff of Breakthrough T1D Upstate New York in November 2022 and is honored to be a part of their incredible vision of a world without T1D.

Originally from New Jersey, she spent three and a half years in Ithaca, NY earning her BA in Theatre Studies from Ithaca College. After spending two years in Boston, she & her wife settled in the Capital Region with their dog, Ella.

Email: BLogan@BreakthroughT1D.org

Phone: 518-903-2007

Marianna Seefeldt

Development Coordinator, Community Engagement

Marianna was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was three years old, and she has been involved with Breakthrough T1D ever since. Her goal is to help newly diagnosed individuals get the resources they need for an easier transition into life with T1D and to build our chapter’s community.

Email: MSeefeldt@BreakthroughT1D.org

Phone: 929-448-5450

Amanda Wickmark

Development Coordinator, Signature Events

Amanda joins the Upstate NY Chapter of Breakthrough T1D at a seasoned point in her career, working extensively with non-profits and in the entertainment and hospitality industries. A graduate of Fredonia High School, Jamestown Community College, and Buffalo State College, she has embraced the diverse opportunities New York State has to offer. She holds deep respect for those living with T1D and their loved ones and is very passionate about supporting Breakthrough T1D’s mission to improve daily life for those affected by T1D while driving toward a cure.

Email: AWickmark@BreakthroughT1D.org

Phone: 518-649-9386

Tom Hoffman, Jr.

CEO, Hoffman Car Wash & innovateIT Car Wash Equipment Company

Board President – Northeastern New York Community Board

Tom Hoffman Jr. was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 20, but he has never let it define him. An avid adventurer, he enjoys snow skiing, scuba diving, e-foiling, wake surfing, and participating in the Breakthrough T1D Ride.

For years, Tom, his wife Erin, and his family business have been dedicated supporters of Breakthrough T1D, fundraising at nearly every event to help advance research and find a cure. As the President of the Northeastern NY Board, Tom actively champions the latest advancements in diabetes technology, benefiting from the cutting-edge insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors funded by the organization.

Tom and Erin are proud parents of three adult children, who fortunately do not have diabetes. Their family business, now in its 59th year, continues to thrive and expand, with his parents, sisters, son, and brother-in-law all playing key roles in its ongoing success.

Francine Burke

Burke Companies

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee Member

Laura J. Caponera

Caponera Law Firm

Breakthrough T1D Gala Chair

Billy Golderman

Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP

Breakthrough T1D Golf Committee Member

Kevin Harrigan

Capital Bank

Breakthrough T1D Golf Committee

Erin Hoffman

Hoffman Development Corporation

Breakthrough T1D Golf Chair

Madeline Kauffman

Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Chair

Jon Keller

President, Jahnel Group & Founder, MorningLine.ai

Jon Keller is a technology leader, entrepreneur, and advocate dedicated to innovation and community impact. As President of Jahnel Group, Inc. and founder of MorningLine.ai, he combines strategic leadership with technical expertise. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 20, Jon is committed to advancing T1D research and awareness, serving on the board of Breakthrough T1D and volunteering as a Research Information Volunteer to educate and support those affected by the disease.

Michelle Marinello

Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, LLP

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee Member

Katie Marschilok

Retired

Community Engagement

Angelo Mazzone

Mazzone Hospitality

Breakthrough T1D Gala Corporate Committee Member

Anne Marie McDaniel

Sand Creek Animal Hospital

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee Member

Fran O'Rourke

Market President, KeyBank’s Capital Region & Regional Executive, Key Private Bank’s East Region

Breakthrough T1D Gala Corporate Committee

Fran O’Rourke serves as Market President for KeyBank’s Capital Region and Regional Executive for Key Private Bank’s East Region. In her role as Market President, she serves as representative and spokeswoman and coordinates Key’s economic and community development efforts in the Capital Region. As Regional Executive she leads wealth management teams throughout the east region, including offices throughout NYS, New England, EPA, and Florida. Fran joined KPB in 2009 and has spent over 30 years working in the financial services industry. Her areas of expertise include investment management, credit, banking, and tax and estate planning.

Active in the community, Fran is a board member of Breakthrough T1D, Capital Region Chamber, and Center for Economic Growth. She previously served on the boards of Northern Rivers Family Services and Proctor’s Theatre.

Fran has three family members living with T1D including her daughter who was diagnosed at 11 years old, the weight of managing this chronic disease is quite familiar and personal to her and her family. Fran is native of Albany and currently resides in Loudonville, N.Y.

Kinga Pluta

Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Diabetes Center

Breakthrough T1D Upstate New York Advocacy Team Chair

Stuart Sacks

Strategic Data Systems

Breakthrough T1D Ride Committee Member

Bart Feinberg

Sutton Companies

Breakthrough T1D Upstate New York – Syracuse Board President

Julia Graziano

Community Volunteer

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee & Nominating Committee

Sam Hamlin

BHG Financial

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee

Mary Kilpatrick

Community Volunteer

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee

Nicole Marlow-Jones

Advocacy Chair

Penny Parisi

KeyBank

Breakthrough T1D Gala Committee

Ray Ruszczak

Tops Friendly Markets

Breakthrough T1D Walk Committee

Heidi Venero

Community Volunteer

Breakthrough T1D Community Engagement Chair