Elizabeth, Founder & Executive Director
Elizabeth Pfiester (she/her) was born in the USA and has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. She completed her Master’s degree in International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science and has a background with non-profits, diabetes and health organisations. Elizabeth believes that where you were born should not determine whether you live or die with diabetes and that patients should be treated like the experts that they are. Working together we can find sustainable solutions to the complex problems faced by people with diabetes globally.
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Bruna, Operations Manager
Bruna Amaral (she/her) is a dedicated and experienced operations and project manager with a passion for social and global justice and a flair for creative and visual arts. After working on a project with T1International through a previous job, she realised that she had the same values and attitude and wanted to support the mission. She is excited to utilise her skills and desire for continuous improvement to help T1International become more effective and impactful.
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Faith, Advocacy Manager
Faith Amasowomwan (she/her) was born in London, but remains close to her roots in Nigeria where obtaining insulin can be near impossible for many people with diabetes. Faith is excited to join T1International's mission to create equity in type 1 diabetes treatment. Faith has a background working within charities and the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Her work has always had an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion focus and she strives to ensure any work she partakes in is accessible, inclusive and puts communities first.
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Lindsey, Development Coordinator
Lindsey Bressan (she/her) is a young fundraising professional with a passion to make a difference in the world. She received her Master’s degree in nonprofit management and has since been working in the fundraising and communications space for a small nonprofit in the US. Now based in the UK, she is excited to learn more about the charity sector and support the #insulin4all movement through her work at T1International.
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Our USA Team
Allison, Community Development Director
Allison Hardt (she/her) has worked in non-profits for the past decade, with a focus on relationship-building, programme development and organisational advancement. An artist and the daughter of a retired nurse, she believes that kindness and empathy should be at the heart of healthcare. Her partner, who has been living with type 1 diabetes since childhood, inspires her advocacy work every day.
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Shaina, Policy & Advocacy Director
Shaina Kasper (she/her) is an experienced strategist and organizer whose work has stopped pipeline proposals, regulated toxic chemicals in drinking water, raised the minimum wage, and more. Having lived with type 1 diabetes since 2012, Shaina is proud to implement policy change to ensure that everyone with diabetes, no matter where they live, has everything they need to survive and achieve their dreams. She lives in Vermont where she also campaigns justice, makes food, and goes on walks with her dog.
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Kate, Operations Manager
Kate Pidwerbecki (she/her) has worked in operations management for the past ten years, providing support to non-profits, educational, and social justice organizations. Having lived with type 1 diabetes since she was ten years old, she is a firm believer that access to insulin is a human right and is excited to be a part of the #insulin4all movement. In her spare time, she serves on the board of directors for a wildlife rehabilitation center in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California.
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Lib, Advocacy Manager
Lib Gatti (they/them) has been present to the challenges of type 1 diabetes since their little brother was diagnosed at age three in 1995. One of their sisters was diagnosed in 1999, Lib themself was diagnosed in 2018, and their oldest sister was diagnosed in 2022. Coming from a family of four siblings who all have type 1 diabetes, they have witnessed from multiple perspectives the grief and growth involved in living with diabetes. They have fought for healthcare, housing, and immigration justice with various organizations, and are delighted to bring their passion and hope to T1International!
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Nicole, Development Coordinator
Nicole Young (she/her) has a degree in Cultural Anthropology and African, African American, and Diaspora studies (AAAD). She has a range of volunteer experience with local nonprofits, working with people from an extensive range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in the US and East Africa. She has lived with type 1 diabetes for 20 years. Nicole recognizes how vital insulin access is and believes it is a fundamental right regardless of where you live. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys caring for her houseplants, doing puzzles, and spending time with her cats.
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Our Trustees
Olamide, UK Board
Olamide Adejumo is a Nigerian Licensed Medical Doctor and a pioneer voice on social media diabetes advocacy in Nigeria. Olamide was the co-founder and director of operations of The Nigeria Diabetes Online Community until 2019. He is currently studying to become a narrative care practitioner and is enthusiastic about clinical precision care that focuses on diversity and socio-cultural inclinations as a tool for patient-centered advocacy. Olamide is excited to use his skills to advocate, care and support people living with diabetes with T1International.
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Heather, UK & USA Board
Heather Robinson is a CPA and certified internal auditor, with 30 years’ experience in government and not-for-profit organizations. She recently retired from the staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Heather is acutely aware of the issues with and limitations of the U.S. health care system because her daughter has had type 1 diabetes since age 13. Heather believes T1International has an important role in advancing access to affordable insulin and quality health care services and advocating for people with type 1 diabetes. She is proud to be part of the effort.
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David, UK & USA Board
David Fraser is a technology executive with over 25 years experience, and since 2016 works at the Social Impact Centre of one of the world's leading software companies, focussing on helping nonprofit organisations around the world increase their impact through technology. David developed type 1 diabetes later in life at the age of 39, and believes that the access to life saving medication and technology he enjoys in the UK should be available to all. He is lucky to be able to combine both pro-bono consulting for T1International over the last 3+ years with serving as a board member.
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Fiona, UK & USA Board Chair
Fiona Conner owns and runs a price comparison website, with varied experience from biotechnology to web projects. Her daughter developed type 1 diabetes at the age of three. Fiona grew up in a developing country and has first-hand experience of under-resourced healthcare. She is excited to work with T1International as they give people worldwide the chance to tell their own stories. She is passionate about changing the way spending on type 1 is prioritised by governments and wants to see a world where everyone has access what they need to manage this challenging condition.
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Melissa, USA Board
Melissa Passarelli, MA, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999, and has since been an advocate for the diabetes community, most recently as part of the Lead team for the New York #insulin4all Chapter. Her background is rooted in the nonprofit sphere, having training in mental health and public policy and worked with organizations that focus on providing equal opportunities regardless of circumstance. Melissa is the Director of Programs at the nonprofit Docs for Tots, where she oversees the development and implementation of initiatives related to improving early childhood systems.
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Harpreet, UK & USA Board
Dr. Harpreet Nagra, PhD is a licensed psychologist and clinical researcher. She has 17 years of experience in the behavioral sciences, working in a variety of clinical and behavioral intervention roles. She specializes in health psychology, specifically chronic illness psychology and diabetes. She has dedicated herself to supporting people living with diabetes and in developing programs that lessen the associated mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
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Matthew, UK & USA Board
Matt Dinger is a healthcare technology executive who has been working in global health and patient experience for over a decade. He developed type 1 diabetes at the age of five which has shaped the way he views healthcare personally as well as professionally. He is excited to work with T1Internation to leverage his experience to advocate for people across the globe. He believes that technology can bring us together to advocate for and bring awareness to the problems diabetics face wherever they are.
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Cameron, UK & USA Board
Cameron J. Hall is a higher education advancement and development professional who specializes in marketing strategies. He has more than 10 years of nonprofit management experience and higher education and fundraising experience. Cameron was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999. As a Black American, Cameron has experienced first-hand barriers to appropriate diabetes care and access to insulin within the U.S. He is excited to join T1International because he believes that the organization can and should play a critical role in highlighting and providing solutions to all inequities in diabetes care.
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