Leadership

Lindsay Fortese

Executive Director

Lindsay Fortese, who has been with JDRF for over 12 years serving the T1D community in a variety of roles, is honored to serve the T1D community as the Executive Director of the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter.

Lindsay attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX before starting her career in the retail space as a Store Manager for Starbucks Coffee Company in Dallas, Texas prior to starting with JDRF in 2008.  In her time with JDRF, Lindsay has built many strong relationships with staff and volunteer leaders.  She has provided strategic direction for fundraising initiatives and events, including Gala, Ride and Walk, and has cultivated and developed donor and corporate relationships across the chapter territory.

Lindsay resides in Downingtown, PA with her husband, Jimmy, their two sons, Jake and Zach, and their loyal dog, Garth.  Lindsay enjoys reading, relaxing in Long Beach Island, NJ, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Megan Dougherty

Development Coordinator

Megan Dougherty joined the JDRF staff in 2019 but has been a part of the JDRF community after her T1D diagnosis in 1998.  As a volunteer Megan has had the opportunity to participate with JDRF as a youth ambassador, in children’s congress, as a captain of a Wilmington, DE walk team for many years, and a gala procurement & décor volunteer in Delaware.  Megan is currently responsible for the chapter’s office operations, JDRF Your Way platform, matching gifts program, and supports the One Walk program.

Megan is a Newark, Delaware, townie and a graduate of the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Human Services. She now lives in the city of Philadelphia with her boyfriend and two cats, Dunkin D and Ginger Snap. Megan enjoys traveling, volunteering, sewing, reading, spending time with friends, and visiting new restaurants!

Ellen Cohn

Development Manager

Ellen Cohn joined the JDRF staff in the summer of 2021 as a Development Manager, and now oversees the JDRF Greater Delaware Valley Ride program. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2008, she highly values the community formed and maintained through JDRF, and is thrilled to be joining the team! In past years, she has been an active volunteer in the community, helping with various events. In 2016, she even orchestrated a joint fundraiser for JDRF as well as her collegiate a cappella group at Bryn Mawr College!

Ellen received her BA in Sociology as well as Theater from Bryn Mawr College in 2017, and has spent the past few years working as a performer nationwide, as well as various part time jobs including working as an optician for a local optical shop, and working as a marketing director for a small theater company. Once the COVID-19 pandemic closed most theatrical activities, she worked as a Business Development Associate for a telecommunications company in the greater Philadelphia area.

Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, she now lives in West Chester, PA with her boyfriend and their two cats, Allen and Warren. In her free time, Ellen can often be found singing, dancing, and acting with local theater companies. She also loves gardening, swimming, and generally spending time outside (whilst coated in sunscreen- don’t worry mom!)

Kathleen Elsmore

Market Director

Kathleen joined the JDRF Greater Delaware Valley Chapter as the Market Director in May 2021.  In this role, Kathleen will be responsible with targeted donor development, and strategic initiatives necessitating critical collaboration or partnerships with core programs, such as Signature Events, Leadership Giving, and corporate development.  

Kathleen has an extensive background in both development and events management.  Prior to joining JDRF, she held the position of Sr. Director of Institutional Advancement at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA.  Before VFMAC she was the Development Officer at Science History Institute in Philadelphia, PA.  Prior to joining the Science History Institute, she held the position of Director of Advancement at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.  Before Harcum she managed development events along with other development and administrative duties at several University of Pennsylvania entities, notably, The Wharton School, The Perelman School of medicine, and the College of Engineering.  A native New Englander, Kathleen worked at MCPHS University in Boston for 9 years, first as Director of Annual Giving, then as Director of Special Events, and also held posts at Northeastern University at the Harvard Business School in events, development and communications.

Kathleen received her BS from Southern NH University and her MS in business administration from Southern NH University.  

She currently resides in Phoenixville, PA with her husband Chris, and her three stepchildren, Libby, Alex and Murphy.  In her free time, you can find Kathleen at the Pilates Studio, visiting family and friends in Boston and on a boat or the beach.  

Julie McKeever

Development Director

Julie McKeever joined JDRF in 2019 as the Outreach Manger for the chapter.  While she enjoys connecting with T1D families and the community, Julie is excited to get back to her roots in Peer 2 Peer fundraising as the chapter’s Development Director.   She will be responsible for formulating, implementing and leading strategies for chapter fundraising and development activities while continuing to passionately build relationships with the community!

Julie earned her B.S. in Health and Human Development from The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.   WE ARE… Penn State!  Prior to joining JDRF, she was an Events Manager/Director for 16 years at The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter.

Julie lives in Plymouth Meeting, PA with her husband, Andrew; their son, Nicholas; and a house full of furry friends! She is passionate about animal rescue and special needs dogs. In her free time, she enjoys doing therapy dog work with two of her dogs, Prime and Dutch, and spending time with family and friends.  Her father, Ted, had type 1 diabetes, which has always kept the JDRF mission near and dear to her heart.

Mikaila Ryan

Senior Development Coordinator

Mikaila started with JDRF in 2016 as an Outreach Manager for the South Jersey office. and has been involved with almost all aspects of the chapter since. In 2017, she moved to the Sr. Development Coordinator position, managing the school walk program, TypeOneNation Summit, and South Jersey golf tournament. Mikaila moved back “home” to the Delaware office in September 2019, where she managed the gala and ride program. Now as a teleworker, she serves as gala support staff, the annual golf tournament staff lead and chapter communications lead.

Mikaila came to JDRF with a vast volunteer background, most actively with the JDRF Delaware office. She is an award-winning competitor in the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization, where she made JDRF her platform with #TYPENONE, advocating at both the local and state levels for the individuals living with type one diabetes. Mikaila earned her Bachelors in Arts degree of Psychology in 2015 from the University of Delaware.

Sara Smith

Development Manager

Sara joined JDRF in the summer of 2019 as a Development Manager, and now oversees the JDRF Greater Delaware Valley One Walk program. “I love working with our teams, volunteers and corporate partners,” she shares. “Seeing the passion and energy from this dedicated community is an incredible thing to witness not just on walk day, but all year long.”

Sara has always had a passion for volunteering and helping others, and joined JDRF after working at two previous nonprofits, where she managed walks, runs and rides. She earned a B.A. in Public Relations in 2015 from Penn State University (we are!), with minors in Political Science and Business.

Sara grew up in Fallsington, PA, and currently resides in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. On the weekend,  you can catch her kayaking, spending time on the beach, reading or hiking.

Allison Tropea

Senior Development Manager

Allison Tropea is the main lead overseeing the Greater Delaware Valley Gala and Ride program. Allie has always been drawn to working in a field that helps people and where she can give back to the community. Her motivation every day is her husband, Anthony, who was diagnosed with T1D in 2011.

Travis Rhodes

Board President

Travis Rhodes has more than 25 years of banking experience. He joined BB&T now Truist in 1999 as a financial center leader in Winston-Salem, N.C. From 2001 to 2008, he held several positions within BB&T’s Triad Region, including business banker, business services officer, and regional corporate banking officer. Travis relocated to Charlotte, N.C., as corporate banking manager in 2012. In early 2018, he accepted the Regional President position in BB&T’s Delaware Valley Region and recently became head of the Lehigh Valley Region as well. Travis is based out of King of Prussia and Allentown offices.

A native of Greensboro, N.C, Travis received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Appalachian State University and is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking. He was president-elect of the Western Carolina’s chapter of the JDRF and has served on the board of Samaritan Ministries.

Travis Rhodes

Board President

Travis Rhodes has more than 25 years of banking experience. He joined BB&T now Truist in 1999 as a financial center leader in Winston-Salem, N.C. From 2001 to 2008, he held several positions within BB&T’s Triad Region, including business banker, business services officer, and regional corporate banking officer. Travis relocated to Charlotte, N.C., as corporate banking manager in 2012. In early 2018, he accepted the Regional President position in BB&T’s Delaware Valley Region and recently became head of the Lehigh Valley Region as well. Travis is based out of King of Prussia and Allentown offices.

A native of Greensboro, N.C, Travis received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Appalachian State University and is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking. He was president-elect of the Western Carolina’s chapter of the JDRF and has served on the board of Samaritan Ministries.