Staff and Board
Staff
As Danny’s uncle, Tom is blessed to know just what Danny Did, day in and day out.
His leadership within the epilepsy community includes active roles the Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) collaborative, and the National Coordinating Center for For Epilepsy. He is a regular speaker on the topics of epilepsy technology and SUDEP. Tom holds a journalism degree from the University of Dayton, and a master’s degree in Public Policy from DePaul University. He can be reached at [email protected].
Mary’s special friendship between her son and Danny Stanton is the reason she joined the Danny Did Foundation, and now holds the title of Executive Director. She believes families have the right to honest and informative conversations with medical providers that include all risks associated with seizures, including SUDEP. She oversees programs that provide resources to protect people living with epilepsy, and bring SUDEP awareness to all communities.
She earned her Bachelor’s of Science at Northern Illinois University and her Master’s in Human Resources at Loyola University in Chicago.
Mary can be reached at [email protected].
As the Danny Did Programs Manager, Katie has the role to make a direct impact on families who reach out in need. Her career has included time as a paramedic, where she gained experience in treating those who had suffered a seizure. Prior to working at Danny Did, Katie was a long-time volunteer for the organization, and she serves on its Associate Board. As a former neighbor to the Stantons, she held a special friendship with Danny. She can be reached at [email protected].
Callie isa Chicago native who received her undergrad degree from the University of Colorado. After coming back to Chicago, Callie started volunteering with the Danny Did Foundation on our Hearts and Hugs Committee. Her involvement grew in 2023 when she took a position as Co-President of the Danny Did Foundation Associate Board. Her part-time role as Program Coordinator allows Callie to work with grantees, their families and caregivers to support the Danny Did mission. She can be reached at [email protected].
Brenden is a long-time friend of the Danny Did Foundation. His desire to serve those facing epilepsy stems from his friendship with Danny during their childhood. His diverse talents and responsibilities support operations and programs and smooth the path for more epilepsy families to receive the support that they need. He can be reached at [email protected].
Board of Directors
Kurt is the COO and General Counsel of Loan Ecosystem LLC, which provides an economical platform for the loan syndication process. Kurt has extensive experience in corporate finance and previously was the COO, Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer for Vanderbilt Capital Advisors, LLC. Kurt was also a partner at Lord, Bissell & Brook and Katten Muchin Rosenman law firms. Kurt comes to the Danny Did board with a passion for helping people with epilepsy, having a daughter with epilepsy and having served as the President and Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. He has a BA from the University of Chicago, and a JD from Duke University School of Law.
When their eldest daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy and a brain tumor in 2015, Tracy and her husband Brian learned how few resources were available for families, and how closely the Danny Did mission resonated with their situation. Tracy has since become an advocate to spread awareness about epilepsy, SUDEP, and the technologies available to potentially prevent it. She has served on the Planning and Host Committees for the annual Hearts & Hugs gala, serving as co-chair in 2021 and 2022. Before becoming a stay-at-home mother, Tracy worked in corporate insurance for 8 years. She is a graduate of St. Francis University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She and her family live in LaGrange, Illinois.
Kari is incredibly passionate about the mission of the Danny Did Epilepsy Foundation and enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with neighbors and friends to raise awareness for SUDEP while also supporting families impacted by epilepsy. She has run multiple Chicago Marathons for Team Danny Did, and has served as Co-Chair of the Hearts & Hugs gala in 2021 and 2022. Kari works as a family nurse practitioner at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, specializing in Gastrointestinal Oncology. She also enjoys a part time role as school nurse at St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge. Kari earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Loyola University Chicago.
Joshua Gabby is a data analytics executive and product manager at JPMorgan Chase. He has been a Danny Did Foundation board member since 2018 and the board treasurer since 2019. Josh is married with three children and resides in Chicago, IL.
Diane first became aware of DDF when she saw “We Love You Danny” signs up in her community. She became involved by using her love of fitness to raise money and awareness for DDF by organizing several fitness fundraisers. Diane served as the Director of Alumnae Relations at Regina Dominican High School, where she enjoyed working with the students, including Danny’s sister Mary Grace on several dance marathon fundraisers. Now retired in North Carolina, Diane is active member of Team Danny Did, and continues to raise awareness about SUDEP, epilepsy, and seizure detection devices. She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Lynn Hanley is a retired attorney and current adjunct law instructor at Loyola University Chicago Law School, specializing in real estate, government and public policy. Lynn is a Team Danny Did alum, and has been a member of the Planning Committee for the Hearts & Hugs Gala, serving as Chairperson in 2018 and 2019. Lynn has also served Secretary of the Board for three years and most recently stepped down as President of the Board in 2022.
As a parent of two adult children with epilepsy, Jeanine is a passionate advocate for people and families effected by epilepsy. Professionally, Jeanine and her daughter oversee the McShea Group within @properties. Jeanine holds a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University and was named 2008 Distinguished Alumni of the year. Jeanine currently lives in Chicago with her husband, John. She has three adult children, and a grandson, whom are her joy!
Jennifer’s commitment to advocate and bring awareness for epilepsy and SUDEP comes from the life and love of her son Brendan, who died from SUDEP on November 28, 2017, at age 19. Professionally, she is a RN Case Manager at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, WI. Her advocacy also includes service on the Epilepsy Foundation Iowa Community Engagement Board, and as the Epilepsy Foundation Iowa SUDEP Ambassador. She lives with her family in Decorah, Iowa.
Julie is a media sales executive and her career path has featured sustained success at some Chicago’s largest radio stations. She is currently an executive at Prime Time Media, where she utilizes her experience and relationships to connect the Danny Did Epilepsy Foundation with a variety of awareness platforms and opportunities. Julie is a graduate of Purdue University, and lives in Chicago’s northern suburbs with her husband and their four children.
Dr. Garcia-Sosa is an Attending Physician in and the Epilepsy Center at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She represents Danny Did for educational speaking engagements at with medical students, family events and medical conferences. She is a native of Puerto Rico.
Scot is the Chief Technology Officer at Covetrus, A Global Animal Health Company dedicated to empowering veterinary practices. He holds an undergraduate degree from National Louis University, and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Scot and his wife live in Woodstock, Illinois.
Caroline has worked at DePaul University since 2001, currently as Director of Development in the Office of Advancement. She was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager. Her personal experience with this often-misunderstood disease has led to her desire to raise awareness of epilepsy, and she is thrilled to do so through the Danny Did Epilepsy Foundation. Caroline holds a BA in public relations from the University of Dayton and an MS in public service administration from DePaul University.
John is a long-time Danny Did volunteer who has supported the cause since its inception. He is President at Lakefront Hospitality Group, which includes operation of the event and restaurant space, Theater on the Lake. John serves on the Planning Committee for the DDF’s annual Hearts & Hugs gala. He holds a BA from Loyola University Chicago, a Masters of Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and an MBA from DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business.
Jen is a mother, a senior marketing professional, and the past Co-President of our Danny Did Foundation Associate Board. She uses her experiences as a person living with epilepsy to advocate for campaigns and policies that combat the stigma of seizures.A Massachusetts native, she now lives in Greater Chicago with her husband and children.
Katie Prentiss Onsager is a Chicago-based documentary filmmaker and video journalist, specializing in producing and editing. As the Executive Producer of Small Forces, she led the production of more than 40 documentary shorts about grassroots activists and organizations across the country. Katie has served as an adjunct lecturer, teaching multimedia journalism courses to undergraduate students at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Katie was a founding member of Danny Did’s Associate Board, and served as the co-president from 2015-2021
John is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Chicago utilizing his skills as a molecular neurobiologist. He has an adult daughter with epilepsy. She has been a fierce epilepsy warrior since the age of 14 months! John joins Danny Did in order to increase epilepsy and SUDEP awareness in Chicagoland and beyond. He has a BA from Augustana College, a MS from Illinois State University, and a PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He and his wife Julie live in Chicago. The have an older daughter who works in education.