Upstate New York Chapter Leadership
Breakthrough T1D Upstate New York Chapter Staff
Denise Nicastro
Market Director
Email: DNicastro@BreakthroughT1D.org
Phone: 518-605-0594
BioDenise Nicastro
Market Director
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
Development Director
Email: MSteffen@BreakthroughT1D.org
Phone: 585-746-6982
BioMatthew Steffen
Development Director
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
Email: DSlater@BreakthroughT1D.org
Phone: 518-477-2873
BioDanielle Unser Slater
Development Manager
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
Email: BLogan@BreakthroughT1D.org
Phone: 518-903-2007
BioBrielle 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
Email: MSeefeldt@BreakthroughT1D.org
Phone: 929-448-5450
BioMarianna Seefeldt
Development Coordinator
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
Email: AWickmark@BreakthroughT1D.org
Phone: 518-649-9386
BioAmanda Wickmark
Development Coordinator
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
Northeastern New York Community Board
Vladimir Goykhman
Trinity Realty Group
Sue Kneller
Kneller Insurance Agency
Brian Mirochnik
Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors
Syracuse Community Board
John Arnold
AmeriCU
Deborah Hole
Community Volunteer
