About YLC

The Greater New York Metro Young Leadership Committee (YLC) is a direct extension of the Chapter and an unstoppable force in the fight against type 1 diabetes (T1D). The YLC is a group of young business and civic professionals who actively support JDRF and T1D research. 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.

Through hosting a variety of social, educational, and fundraising events, the Greater New York Metro YLC seeks to:

• Create awareness of T1D among Greater NYC young professionals
• Raise money to fund critical T1D research
• Build a strong network to support critical T1D funding and education

It is with this support that we move closer to creating a world without T1D. If interested in joining YLC as a member or as part of the Executive Committee, contact:

JDRF Chapter Liaison: Michelle Nardelli, mnardelli@jdrf.org

JDRF Greater New York Metro YLC: jdrfylcgreaternyc@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

YLC Comedy Night

January 25^th | The Stand NYC | 6pm- Happy Hour, 7pm- Show Starts

Come have a laugh for a good cause! The JDRF Young Leadership Committee is thrilled to present a comedy night fundraiser at The Stand NYC in support of type 1 diabetes research. Kick off the evening with happy hour from 6-7pm, followed by the show starting at 7pm. Proceeds benefit the vital work of JDRF. Don’t miss out – bring your friends, this event is open to the public! Purchase tickets here.

Meet the YLC 2023-2024 Executive Board

Jon Marcus, President 

• Jon has been involved with JDRF since he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 20 years ago. He and his family have been involved with JDRF in a number of ways over the last 20 years. His mother (Ellen) was a former JDRF 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 JDRF!  

Adah Lindquist, Vice-President 

• This is Adah’s second year on the YLC 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 JDRF since a young age. This fall, Adah will be running for Team JDRF in the NYC marathon! 

Christina Coughlin, Co-New Membership Chair 

• Christina Coughlin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010 at 12 years old and has recently been involved with JDRF 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, Co-New Membership 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 YLC this year. Having been diagnosed with T1D at the age of 13 months, Catherine is a proud supporter of JDRF 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.  

Jessica Sorentino, Social Media & Marketing Chair 

• Jessica Sorentino is a New Yorker working within the publishing industry. She has worked at the internationally renowned publishing house, Simon & Schuster, and currently runs her personal branding and social consultancy (est. 2019) which helps authors elevate their name and build notoriety through content and community. Jessica joined the YLC as the Marketing Co-Chair for the 2023 season, and is back for 2024 as the sole Marketing Chair. Jessica’s affiliation to JDRF spans over a decade, having participated in walks and events since her sister’s T1D diagnosis in 2007. 

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 JDRF as a mentor and youth ambassador. While in high school, Mitchell chaired an annual flag football fundraiser that donated all funds to JDRF. He continued his involvement with JDRF 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 JDRF. Alex is a Senior Broker Relations Manager at FactSet. 

Stay connected with YLC!

Instagram: @jdrfyoungleadersnyc

Facebook: @jdrfyoungleadersnyc