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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Elizabeth, Founder
Elizabeth "Liz" Pfiester (she/her) has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. She founded T1International in 2013 after completing her Master’s degree in International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Liz has a background with non-profits, diabetes and health organisations and 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.
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Shaina, Executive 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 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 for justice, makes food, and goes on walks with her dog.
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Lib, USA 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, and are delighted to bring their passion and hope to T1International!
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Chris, Global Advocacy Manager
Chris Toavs (she/her) began her advocacy journey shortly after her diagnosis. Her eleven years living with diabetes has manifested into her passion and pursuit of policy change to lower insulin prices and open accessibility for all. Chris completed her Master's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science in International Health Policy. She has lived in Seoul, South Korea and London, UK where she investigated differences between and within health systems. Chris believes that healthcare ought to promote patient flourishing over profit margins and strives to create a better reality for those living with diabetes.
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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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Lucy, Regional Advocacy Consultant
Lucy Johnbosco has navigated life with type 1 diabetes in Tanzania for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution from Kampala University and a Master's in Mass Communication from the University of Dar Es Salaam. Collaborating with media outlets like BBC Swahili and East Africa Radio, she amplifies diabetes awareness. She is a member of Tanzania NCD Alliance since 2012, and won the Malkia wa Nguvu award in 2018, as well as a Certificate of International Good Deeds in 2019. In 2023, she received a recognition award from Muhimbili University and joined the Voice of Pen-Plus Project in 2024.
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Ali, Regional Advocacy Consultant
Ali Hisham (he/him) is an experienced advocate, published author, and media professional based in Egypt. He has lived with type 1 diabetes since 2014. Ali has led various initiatives empowering children to express themselves and advocate for social change through art in the post-Arab Spring era. Ali holds a master's degree in Media, Campaigning and Social Change from University of Westminster in London, and he received a Chevening Scholarship from the British government. Ali believes that health rights and access to medication should be unrestricted and guaranteed to all.
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Sara, Regional Advocacy Consultant
Sara Gaspar (she/her) has over 10 years of experience in advocacy, intellectual property and community engagement for access to health technologies. Graduated in Law and holding a Master's degree in Public Health, Sara joined the access to medicines movement as chapter leader at Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) in Brazil, served as Executive Director of UAEM Brazil and consulted various projects at Treatment Action Group, DNDi and PHM. Sara has a special interest in community-driven health policies and health diplomacy, and believes in building a world where there are no boundaries to access to healthcare.
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Our Trustees
Melissa, Chair
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 Associate Director of Implementation & System Building at Help Me Grow National Center, where she oversees the implementation of the HMG early childhood system model across the country.
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Heather, Treasurer
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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Cameron
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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David
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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Justin
Justin Cikomola is a medical doctor (internal medicine and diabetes and endocrinology) and PhD with 11 years of experience working in Africa in the field of diabetes as a physician, a researcher and a teacher. As a professor he is in charge of courses of diabetology, metabolic diseases and endocrinology in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 2007, he has been working with associations of people living with diabetes in Eastern Congo. Justin lives in DRC (Kinshasa) and is happy to bring change to ensure that everyone with diabetes has everything they need.
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Kendall
Kendall Dallas, MA, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 31. Kendall has over 10 years of experience as a data and evaluation professional in nonprofits and government. Currently, Kendall is the Data Analytics and Evaluation Manager at Missouri Family Health Council focusing on providing and sustaining sexual and reproductive healthcare for all. Kendall believes healthcare, including insulin and diabetes technology, is a fundamental right, and is honored to advocate for the larger diabetes community as a Trustee.
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Lucía
Lucía Feito Allonca has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 32 years. A lawyer by training, she has dedicated her career to global patient advocacy, amplifying the voices of people living with diabetes and other NCDs, and promoting universal health coverage (UHC), equity in access to care, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a Trustee, Lucía supports T1International’s governance and strategic direction, ensuring the organization remains true to its mission. She looks forward to strengthening its work by fostering collaboration, advancing patient-led advocacy, and driving meaningful change in the global diabetes community.
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Matthew
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 T1International 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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Nkiruka
Nkiruka “NK” Okoro has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 36 years. She is an advocate for diabetes education, a diabetes coach, and a certified IDF diabetes educator and facilitator. She believes that everyone living with diabetes deserves a clear and continuous education to help them better understand diabetes and navigate through all its challenges. In addition, she has successfully coached and demystified diabetes education with over 100 people living with diabetes since 2019. NK always says, “if you understand diabetes, diabetes will understand you”. NK looks forward to contributing her experiences and perspectives in the fight for access to insulin at T1International.
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Olamide
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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