Our leadership 

International Board of Directors 

Breakthrough T1D’s governing body is tasked with accelerating mission progress.

Fiscal Year 2025 Members

  • Lisa F. Wallack, Chair
  • Matt Varey, Vice Chair
  • Michael Alter
  • Elizabeth Caswell
  • Mike Gordon
  • Claudia Graham, Ph.D., MPH
  • Michelle Griffin
  • Karen Jordan
  • Joseph (Joe) P. Lacher, Jr.
  • Per Lundin
  • Carlton McMillan
  • Jen Schneider
  • Chris Turner 
  • Drayton Virkler 
  • Karey L. Witty
Breakthrough T1D’s strategic leadership has led to the many advances that have made it safer and easier to live with T1D.” 

Lisa F. Wallack

International Board of Directors Chair

Executive Team 

Breakthrough T1D’s executive team partners with our leadership boards to advance our mission.

CEO Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D.
Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., speaks at one of Breakthrough T1D’s many events.

Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D. 
Breakthrough T1D CEO

Chief Executive Officer Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., drives strategies to advance Breakthrough T1D’s mission to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications. Dr. Kowalski joined the organization in 2004 and held the position of Chief Mission Officer before assuming his current role as CEO, leading Breakthrough T1D’s research and advocacy strategy. Dr. Kowalski is an internationally recognized scientific expert in T1D research. He has also served as a policy leader for the organization, regularly advising Congress, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Kowalski’s scientific expertise, personal experience living with T1D for more than 35 years, and his ability to engage the T1D community enable him to lead Breakthrough T1D in our path to cures.

  • Thomas Danne, M.D.
    Chief Medical Officer, International
  • Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D.
    Chief Scientific Officer
  • Katie Ellias
    Managing Director, T1D Fund
  • Annette Freytag
    Chief of Staff
  • Vish Jain
    Chief Information Officer
  • Rob King
    Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
  • Pam Morrisroe
    Chief Marketing Officer
  • Tracy Mido
    Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Jesse Raben
    Chief Legal and Risk Officer
  • Kathleen Seitz
    Chief Global Development Officer
  • Eric Shen
    Chief of Staff, T1D Fund
  • Steven St. Peter, M.D.
    Managing Director, T1D Fund
  • Lynn Starr
    Chief Global Advocacy Officer
  • Sylvia Tobe
    Managing Director, T1D Fund
Today, people with T1D are living healthier lives because of the breakthroughs we have championed.”

Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D.

Breakthrough T1D CEO

Board of Directors for the T1D Fund: A Breakthrough T1D Venture

The Fund is Breakthrough T1D’s venture investment entity, governed by a distinct board.
  • Tim Clark, Chair
  • Jay Eastman
  • Karen Jordan
  • Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D.
  • Ellen Leake
  • David Nelms
  • Amy Raskin
  • Jennifer Ross
We are at a critical inflection point for type 1 diabetes investment and T1D Fund leadership is steadfast in investing in and accelerating cures that may help this devastating condition.” 

Tim Clark

T1D Fund Board of Directors Chair

Global Mission Board

A group of national volunteer leaders who accelerate Breakthrough T1D’s mission progress through special initiatives.
  • Matthew Cohn, Chair
  • Jennifer Bennett, Chair Emeritus
  • Jeff Adams
  • Randy Anderson
  • Carmen Ashley
  • Cathy Baier
  • Timothy Clark
  • Maria Conroy
  • Meredith Coors
  • Jennie Costner
  • Laura Cramer
  • Maarten deGroot
  • Nanette DeTurk
  • Pam Edmonds
  • Cynthia Ford
  • Ian Joyce
  • Mark Kacher
  • Marshall Lang
  • Mike Lee
  • James Lurie, Esq.
  • Gwen Malone
  • Deborah Nuzzo
  • Dayton Ogden
  • Carol Oxenreiter
  • Margery Perry
  • Derek Rapp
  • Travis Rhodes
  • Kim Roosevelt
  • Brad Schur
  • David Schwab
  • Lorne Shiff
  • Michael Soper
  • Petra Vester
  • Jerry Wisler
The volunteer-staff partnership is at the core of everything we have achieved and continues to drive us forward every day. ”

Matthew Cohn

Global Mission Board Chair