Jen Hanson, BKin, BEd, MEd, CDCES, has grown up with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed in 1987, she has never let diabetes stop her from pursuing her passion. Jen’s early beginnings as a campfire-loving, bug-catching, mud-puddle-jumping, tree-climbing tot sparked in her a love for the natural world that has been fostered and grown into a full-blown passion for everything outdoors. Jen is the Executive Director of Connected in Motion (CIM), and spends her days organizing retreats and adventure programs for adults with type 1 diabetes. She also works with the CIM Team to run Friends for Life Canada. Jen became a CDE in 2017 focusing on diabetes and exercise. Jen loves volunteering with Children with Diabetes as it gives her an opportunity to work with youth with diabetes and give them the gift of connection.

Kristi Herbert (Rosenberg) serves as the Comptroller and oversees the finance and accounting functions for Children with Diabetes. She is Mama to two amazing humans (Madison and Cameron). Kristi's son, Cameron “Cam” was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2009 at the age of four. Since then Kristi has devoted her efforts to empowering Cam with education, resources, and tools to navigate and manage type 1. Kristi and her family have been actively involved in the type 1 community over the years through numerous volunteer and fundraising efforts with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Diabetes Technology Organization, and now CWD. Attending the Friends for Life Orlando conference in 2019 was pivotal for Cam, his sister Maddie, and Kristi, providing a rewarding and life-changing experience. Kristi is now thrilled to be contributing her accounting skills and experience to further the mission of CWD. In her spare time, Kristi enjoys all things movement: hiking, teaching yoga, spending time with her family and close friends, loving all the animals in her path, and especially exploring with her hubby, Terry.

Rachael Jacques is an accomplished nonprofit professional with a BA in Community Health Education and extensive experience in fundraising, development, and program management. Living with type 1 diabetes and growing up with a brother who also has the diagnosis, she brings both a personal understanding and professional dedication to supporting all individuals and families in the T1D community. In her most recent role as National Director, Corporate Partnerships at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), Rachael cultivated and managed strategic partnerships with leading companies driving significant revenue for research and advocacy efforts aimed at finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. Prior to that, as the Director of Development and Programming at the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health, she successfully set strategy for fundraising efforts and managed a diverse portfolio of initiatives aimed at supporting children and families facing mental health challenges. Now, as Director of Advancement at Children with Diabetes, Rachael is excited to bring her expertise in development and fundraising to further the organization’s mission and create lasting change for children and families impacted by type 1 diabetes.

Alanna Landry, RN, CDE, has worked with children and families diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for 29 years at Markham Stouffville Hospital Pediatric Diabetes Clinic, in Ontario, Canada. Passionate about transition to adult care, equitable access to diabetes technology, and improving standards of care and outcomes. Currently Alanna is the Co-Chair of the Pediatric Diabetes Network in Ontario. She has had the pleasure of being apart of the CWD family for almost 18 years. When she is not engaging in research on digital health interventions or helping to develop ISPAD standards of care, you can find her playing golf or spending time with her grandchildren

Ashlyn Mills serves as CWD’s Events and Programs Manager. Ashlyn has been living with type 1 diabetes since 2015 when she was diagnosed at the age of 19. She quickly found her tribe in CWD and attended her first FFL conference less than one year after her diagnosis. By trade, Ashlyn is a licensed physical therapist assistant but the connections diabetes created quickly changed her career path. Ashlyn is passionate about helping people with diabetes and their families connect so they don’t have to do it alone. In her spare time, Ashlyn loves to run, bike, visit Disney World, and camp with her family.

Will Nowak attended his first Friends for Life event in 2018 and has been returning to volunteer with the IT Team ever since. He is interested in learning about new developments in diabetes technology and participating in clinical trials in that space. Will and his wife Helen live in New Jersey with their two cats. He works as a Site Reliability Engineer and outside of work enjoys rock climbing, travel, and searching for the best Fettuccine Alfredo. Will is looking forward to seeing everyone at the next conference!

Kristen O’Dell, MS, RD, CDCES, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of nine, in 1998. Despite her resistance to accepting this diagnosis, it has been the driving force behind her pursuing a career as a dietitian. She earned her Master’s degree in Dietetics at D’Youville College and became a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. Kristen has worked in a children’s clinic, long term care nursing facilities, as an insulin pump trainer, and is now providing diabetes and nutrition counseling through her company, Focused Diabetes Solutions, all while being the Dietitian at CWD FFL conferences. Her goal is to empower people living with diabetes so that they can navigate all the ups and downs of life (and blood sugars). Kristen and her husband, Shawn, have three young children. Kristen enjoys cooking and baking in the kitchen, working in the garden, rooting for the Buffalo Bills, traveling around the world, and reading (when she can find a little free time).

Hannah Opdenaker, MA, serves as the Development Coordinator for Children With Diabetes (CWD), a community she’s been part of since 2001 following her type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 1999. In addition to her role at CWD, Hannah serves as the Director of Development for a nonprofit public health organization in Philadelphia. Her career spans fundraising and program leadership across the arts, academia, and health sectors. Driven by deep personal connection and professional purpose, Hannah is committed to advancing meaningful impact within the T1D community through her work with CWD.

Lauren Salko lives in Park City, Utah with her fellow green band husband Jeremy and is graduate of Saint Anselm College. Lauren is a former professional skier who competed around the world in SkiCross. In her free time, Lauren loves skiing, mountain biking, and doing triathlons. As a person with diabetes, Lauren is very passionate about working with Children with Diabetes and could not be more excited to be a part of the youth programming staff this year!

As the Creative Director at Children with Diabetes (CWD), Sasha Squibb loves sharing the CWD Smiley and spreading joy through her work. She leads social media, The Weekly Diabetes newsletter, and all marketing efforts. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age, Sasha is deeply passionate about providing education and support for the T1D community and their families, always striving to create a sense of connection and ensure no one feels alone in their journey.

Marissa Town, BSN, RN, CDCES, is the Clinical Director for Children with Diabetes (CWD). Marissa oversees the medical content for CWD’s website and programs at Friends for Life (FFL) conferences. She collaborates with healthcare professionals and other diabetes organizations to help CWD and FFL provide current, evidence-based diabetes education and support for people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones. Marissa has lived with T1D since 1989 and has worked in various diabetes education roles, including adult and pediatric clinics, industry, and clinical research. She is passionate about health equity and helping improve quality of life for people affected by diabetes.

Kayla Van Eperen is the proud mother of David and one of four siblings—two of whom live with Type 1 Diabetes. She has been part of the Children with Diabetes community and attending Friends for Life Orlando conferences since 2003. Kayla graduated in 2017 from Marquette University with a degrees in Elementary Education and Communication Studies. She currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Friends for Life conferences and is also the Middle School Community Coordinator at Madison Country Day School in Madison, WI. Kayla is thrilled to be one of the Elementary Team leaders—a role she cherishes as it allows her to help foster a supportive environment where elementary-aged children feel seen, included, and supported at Friends for Life.

Jessie J. Wong, PhD, is a licensed pediatric psychologist and clinical researcher in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Stanford University. She is the principal investigator of studies funded by NIDDK and ADA that focus on family-based interventions to enhance glycemic and mental health outcomes among adolescents living with type 1 diabetes as well as applying precision medicine to address risk among people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Wong is dedicated to advancing the field of pediatric diabetes care through innovative research and compassionate clinical practice.