Cathy Chisholm

Interim Executive Director

Cathy Chisholm has supported JDRF chapters undergoing leadership transition for the past 7 years. In her role as Interim Executive Director, she has served staff, volunteers and key stakeholders in over 15 markets delivering turnkey operational and development expertise to advance the JDRF mission. She understands the needs of each market are situational and adjusts her approach accordingly. No matter the market, Cathy’s enduring objectives are to prime chapters for continued growth and ensure the success of each new Executive Director.

Her career with JDRF began in 2011 as Executive Director with the Hampton Roads chapter where Cathy led consistent double digit revenue growth via successful core fundraising programs and significant major gift opportunities. Prior to JDRF, she steered mid and large-sized markets as Executive Director with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and served the National Kidney Foundation as Regional Vice President.

Cathy and her husband, Bruce, live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They enjoy exploring the world together and spending time with their adult children and 3 granddaughters.

Jessie Jimenez-Schlicht

Sr. Development Director

Jessie joined JDRF with more than a decade of non-profit experience.   Previously working with the American Lung Association creating and managing their fourth largest peer to peer fundraising event in the country.  She also worked on event expansion and oversight for a four state region, while overseeing fundraising for the state of Michigan.

She has a B.A.A. in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University and worked for a radio group in both promotions and sales in the Detroit market.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful research organization that is making a difference to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 Diabetes” says Jessie.  “Our donors can see their dollars at work every day helping those with T1D and their families.  That is why I am honored to be a part of JDRF.  You can see every dollar at work.”

Jessie is a native Detroiter.  She is an avid “yogi” having earned her Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hour certification.   A mother of twin boy toddlers, Jessie’s free time now includes must less yoga and all toddler time.

Krystal Dunlap

Sr. Development Director

Krystal Dunlap joined the Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter in 2011. She is a Sr. Development Director who is focused on overseeing the implementation of the Peer-to-Peer Program, along with leadership giving and our newest program, Real Estate Games. Krystal’s background started in human services, which doesn’t surprise us o why she has a special niche in helping people. Over the years, JDRF has made excellent strides in T1D research. When asked many times why she loves her job, she offered this response, “I remain driven by the JDRF mission and the people we serve because they aren’t’ just people, they’re family.”

April Gasbarre

Director of Development, Donor Relations

April joined JDRF in March 2019 with decades of non-profit experience and years under her belt as a T1D mom and wife. Trained as a historian, she has long had a heart for non-profit work, beginning as a volunteer historical interpreter at a local living history museum, and including stints at the American Red Cross, Howell Nature Center, and North Star Reach, a SeriousFun camp for children with life-threatening health challenges. April’s experience runs the gamut of fundraising, from the management of signature and peer-to-peer events to direct mail and leadership giving. She considers it a privilege to work with an incredible team of colleagues, donors, and volunteers to advance life-changing breakthroughs for our T1D community.

Jillian Crane

Development Director

Jillian Crane joined the JDRF family after her son, Trace, was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 2 in 2014. Jillian immediately stepped in as a volunteer for the JDRF One Walk Ann Arbor as a committee member helping with corporate family team recruitment. Jillian later joined the JDRF staff in 2016 as a Development Manager, relocating to the Grand Rapids area to oversee JDRF One Walks in West Michigan. Currently, as Development Director, Jillian focuses on the East Lansing and Grand Rapids JDRF One Walks, JDRF Journey for T1D Grand Rapids, as well as the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes program. In addition, Jillian also works alongside the chapter’s leadership securing leadership gifts.

Jillian was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. She graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Integrated Studies focusing on Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining the nonprofit world, Jillian spent her career in Education in a variety of grade levels teaching.

Jillian loves spending time with her modern-day “Brady Bunch” which consists of her son, Trace, 2 daughters Ellison and Madilyn, step-sons Austin and Caleb, step-daughter, Emmalin, and husband, Andy. Outside of spending time with her family, she is actively involved in her local community as an active member of the PTO and a Little League Baseball board member. If she’s not cheering on one of the 6 kids at a sporting event, you’ll catch her cheering for the MSU Spartans!

Jamie Bell

Development Director

Jamie came to JDRF with 5 years of non-profit experience. She previously held a position with the American Cancer Society, but found her home at JDRF after her daughter, Aubriella was diagnosed with T1D at 4 years old. Jamie can be described as passionate about the cause, and eager to meet people who feel the same way.

“It is such a privilege to wake up every day and work for an organization that has made such an impact in Aubriella’ s life,” says Jamie.

Residing in Stow, OH with her two daughters, Jamie enjoys homeschooling and toting around her girls to accommodate a busy extracurricular calendar. She also enjoys cooking and baking in her spare time.

Beau Trussell

Community Engagement Manager

Beau joined JDRF in January 2022 with seven years of non-profit experience. Previously, he worked at the National Kidney Foundation in Nashville and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in St. Louis. In both positions, Beau was focused on development, specializing in walk and corporate partnerships.

Beau was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from the Journalism school at the University of Missouri, Mizzou, with a degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications. Before moving to Detroit in 2020, he spent time living and working in both St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee.

“After many years in non-profit, I learned that my passion is helping kids. When the opportunity to join JDRF as the Community Engagement Manager presented itself, it felt like a dream come true,” says Beau. “This position affords me the opportunity to work directly with local families. I can see how the work we are doing here at JDRF impacts them in their daily lives.”

In his free time, Beau is a bodybuilder and spends most of his time either lifting or eating. He also loves to read, travel, and spend time with his loved ones and pets.

Rachel Dawkins

Development Manager

Rachel joined JDRF 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 JDRF mission and cultivating new relationships with families and organizations.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending her free time with her husband, her twins, Sophia & Isaac and caring for her small at-home zoo which consists of 3 dogs, Rufus, Luther, Hank and her cat, Fiona. Although you may hear her sometimes complaining about the craziness at home, she wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything!

Lauren Burger

Development Manager

Lauren joined JDRF in February 2022 with prior non-profit experience with the Michigan Lupus Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association. She graduated from Madonna University with a B.S. in Health Sciences with a focus on Population Healthcare Management. While with the Alzheimer’s Association, Lauren worked as a member of the development team on peer-to-peer fundraising events, specifically the Walk to End Alzheimer’s program.

As manager of the Ann Arbor, Jackson, & Toledo JDRF One Walks, Lauren is passionate about building relationships and supporting T1D warriors and their families while also connecting with community partners! Recently, Lauren has expanded her role to also include auction procurement for both the Detroit Promise Ball Gala and Ann Arbor Journey for T1D auctions!

For Lauren, it is so important to live out your purpose in this life by finding your passion and, thanks to JDRF, she is able to do just that! Each and every day, Lauren is inspired and amazed by the T1D community and is driven to fuel JDRF’s mission of turning Type One into Type None!

Faith and family are the most important things in Lauren’s life! Lauren also loves to travel, especially to warm and sunny destinations!

Hannah Wetherholt

Development Manager

Hannah joined JDRF in August 2022 with three years of non-profit experience under her belt. Previously, she worked as a personnel manager at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, where she oversaw weekly rehearsals, concerts, and auditions. She also worked closely with fellow staff and musicians to implement new ways of connecting with community members, donors, and season ticketholders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hannah earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Central Michigan University and Master of Musical Arts from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

In her words, “JDRF is a fantastic organization that has a clear, tangible mission: to help further the research of T1D and create new breakthroughs. Connecting with donors, volunteers, and individuals affected by this disease continues to be a rewarding and eye-opening experience, and I am thrilled to be part of the Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter.”

Hannah is a freelance oboe player and spends her time running, volunteering at church, and playing with her puppy, Flynn. She also enjoys experimenting with new dinner recipes, for better or worse!

Lia Benn

Development Manager

Lia’s time with JDRF began as an avid volunteer in 2013, after her youngest daughter, Julia, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of one. Throughout her time as a volunteer, Lia served as a gala committee member, gala lead volunteer, and Vice President of the JDRF Young Leadership Committee. Lia has written many fundraising pieces for the Chapter, in addition to serving as team captain for her family’s Ann Arbor One Walk team each year!

Lia was thrilled to join JDRF as a full-time staff member in November 2021 and proudly works as the Chapter’s “logistics queen”! Lia oversees all day-to-day and event operations while also supporting and coordinating the Chapter’s third-party events.

Lia has a master’s degree in marketing and human resource management and a background in accounting and project management in many industries.

Lia is the proud mother of Katelyn, Alex, and Julia and enjoys volunteering with their school and extracurricular activities. Her husband, Greg, and two dogs, Luke and Chester, add to Lia’s tribe. In what little free time she has, Lia loves to craft.

Bill Kramer

Development Coordinator

Bill made his way into the non-profit world after spending the previous five years in the advertising industry. Before joining JDRF he worked with GTB and Campbell Ewald on search engine marketing for brands such as Ford, NYC Tourism, and MotorCity Casino.

He attended Grand Valley State University, where he received his bachelor’s in Marketing with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Bill has made his home in Michigan. He enjoys how beautiful Michigan is in the Summer and Fall and appreciates it on his runs as he trains for his next race. Bill spends his downtime with his nose in a book, waiting for new twists in mystery novels.

“JDRF puts in perspective what really matters. Every event really goes a long way in helping families affected by T1D and you can see the impact on the faces you are trying to help. The support and research done through JDRF puts us one step closer to finding a cure every day.” – Bill

Amanda Cisler

Development Coordinator

Amanda joined the JDRF team in November of 2022. She has been a volunteer with the Grand Rapids JDRF events for many years.

As a Development Coordinator, she enjoys bringing families and businesses together to spread awareness of T1D and sharing the JDRF mission.

Outside of work, Amanda loves to spend with her family, her husband, Matt, and two children, Mason and Kendall.

Deb Wallace

Development Assistant

Deb first joined JDRF as an Administrative Assistant, and she has held numerous positions in the Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter since 2003! Her passion for JDRF and finding a cure for T1D was immediate and has only grown stronger over the years! Deb credits the hard work of everyone at JDRF for the many advances that she has seen in the prevention, treatment, and management of T1D!

Throughout the years, Deb has met and been impacted by T1D warriors, families, and supporters alike. Deb has had the blessing of witnessing the births, graduations, and marriages of these individuals who are the heart and soul of JDRF.  Deb’s time with JDRF has spanned many years and she is thankful for the connections and relationships that continue to thrive today!

Deb has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Deb’s background includes working in both the for-profit and non-profit industries, but by far, the work she has done at JDRF has been the most fulfilling!