Leigh Fickling, JD, MEd, MS, serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Children with Diabetes. Leigh is responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership of the organization and for the oversight and implementation of the organization's strategic plan. Leigh's daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2013 at the age of three. Leigh is a subject matter expert in the implementation of accommodations for people with diabetes in the classroom, workplace, and beyond. The Friends for Life conferences are the highlight of the year for the Fickling family and they can't imagine trying to dia-beat-this without their circle of friends.

Glenn Hartranft is the husband of Sandy Hartranft and is a software developer for SAP National Security Services in Newtown Square, PA. Glenn and Sandy have raised three remarkable sons and have enjoyed traveling the country in their downtime. Their youngest son Ben was diagnosed with autism at age two and Glenn spends much of his time with Benergy1 Presentations (benergy1.com) as Ben speaks at events and schools about his journey called, "Never Let go of Your Dreams." Glenn is looking forward to serving again in the youth program this year.

Lizzie Lackey was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 19 and attended her first Friends for Life conference four months later. She came away filled with so much hope and a sense of belonging that she has only missed one conference in the past 12 years. Friends for Life is her absolute favorite week of the year! During the other 51 weeks of the year, Lizzie is a Vision Therapist in Houston, TX. She loves working with kids of all ages.

Hannah Peach is 19 and from Nashville TN. She has been attending Friends for Life Orlando since 2005. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four. Hannah attends Ave Maria University in southern Florida and is majoring in Nursing. Hannah feels attending the conference has given her the confidence and knowledge to do anything despite diabetes. She loves attending the conference and has made friends for life.

Gabriela Santaniello, age 22, is from Long Island, New York. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old. Gabriela first attended Friends for Life Orlando in 2022 and knew that she wanted to return and give back to this awesome community. She is a psychology undergrad student who hopes to further her education at a social work graduate school and then become a certified diabetes educator. Her seven-plus years of providing childcare has shown her that children are so resilient and strong, which is why she would love to become a pediatric diabetes educator. Gabriela is so excited to be working with kids who understand the high and lows of type 1 diabetes.