Our Leadership Team

at Touched by Type 1

Behind every program and event is a team of leaders committed to making life with type 1 diabetes a little brighter. Our Board of Directors, Junior Board, and staff are the heart and hands of Touched by Type 1—bringing the expertise, creativity, and care that keep our community thriving.

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What started as a community fundraiser organized by a middle school student and a small group of trusted advisers has blossomed into an impactful and well-respected nonprofit organization – spreading awareness about Type 1 Diabetes.

Our Leaders:

  • Courtney Snyder

    AdventHealth

  • Dr. Penelope Pauley

    The Endocrine Co.

  • Elizabeth Forrest

    Founder & President

  • Jeffrey Forrest

    WPC

  • Jisel Parra

    T1D Advocate

  • Jonathan Snyder

    Snyder’s Landscapes

  • Michael Garlich

    Garlich Consulting

  • Samantha Arceneaux

    Solar Source

  • Sarah Scott

    Tandem Diabetes

  • Shana Windish

    Zonda

  • Laura Shields

    Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys

  • Jill Zarbaugh

    Happy Home Mortgage

The Medical Oversight Committee is composed of leading healthcare professionals who guide and strengthen Touched by Type 1’s efforts to inspire those with type 1 diabetes to thrive. By ensuring our programs and resources reflect the highest standards of medical care, they help us deliver accurate, trusted, and empowering support to everyone we serve.

Medical Oversight Committee

  • Penelope Pauley, MD

    The EndocrineCo

  • Brittany Bruggeman, MD

    UF Health

  • Erika Forsyth, LMFT

    Erika Forsyth Family Therapy

  • Jennifer Smith, RD, LD, CDCES

    Integrated Diabetes Care

  • Jonathan Velez Rivera, MD

    Orlando Health

  • Kaitlin Love, MD, MSc

    Advent Health TRI

  • Kelly Schmidt, RD, LN

    T1D Functional Nutrition

  • Kim Rossi, RN, CDCES

    Nemours Children's Health

  • Laura Jacobson, MD

    UF Health

Junior Board of Directors

At Touched by Type 1 we have come to rely on the energy and enthusiasm of our Junior Board of Directors who inspire and lead us to new ways of fulfilling our mission to elevate awareness of the impact that Type 1 Diabetes has on nearly 1.9 million American children and adults and raising funds to find a cure and inspiring those we serve, thrive with T1D.

  • Ava Zarbaugh

  • Grant Bounds

  • Hannah Alaoui

  • Mikayla Arceneaux

  • Sadie Windish

  • Teagan Swisher

Our staff brings the mission to life every day—coordinating events, supporting families, and ensuring our work continues to grow. Their dedication and passion are the heartbeat of the organization.

Our Staff:

  • Tom Karlya

    Executive Vice President 

  • Kelly Simbolick

    Director of Operations

  • Michelle Shah

    Development Director

  • Aimee Martinez

    Program Manager

We Are Touched by Type 1

All of the programs by Touched by Type 1 work together to provide a positive experience for those who are touched by type 1, in Orlando and across the country. Your support helps us continue to make an impact in the type 1 community.

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