Mats is a graduate of UC Berkeley and has worked in the non-profit sector since 1985. He joined DYF as their Executive Director of DYF in December 2000. Before that, he has worked with the American Heart Association, the National Brain Tumor Foundation, and Cal Performance. He also has extensive experience volunteering for his community, including serving on several boards and being a volunteer soccer referee and baseball umpire.
Mats immigrated to Hawaii from Sweden with his family when he was 9 years old. He currently lives in Clayton with his two children, two cats and two dogs. In his spare time, Mats is an avid gardener, and also brews beers for his friends and family.
Mats Wallin, Executive Director
Contact me at wallin@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 101
Paula is a graduate of California State University Fullerton and has more than 25 year’s of non-profit fund development experience. Her youngest son, Lawson, was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes in April of 1999 and they both attended DYF’s Bearskin Meadow Camp program that summer. In 2001, Paula joined DYF staff as Development Director. Paula’s older son, Jon-Paul, currently serves as a captain in the United State Army. In her free time Paula enjoys dancing and watching football, especially the San Francisco 49ers!
Paula Gogin, Director of Development
Contact me at gogin@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 104
Janet started with the DYF in 2003 as Resident Camp Director. After her diagnosis with diabetes in 1987 and a rocky start at her first ever diabetes camp at the age of 9, Janet fell in love with the camp experience and the amazing sense of community. She is the current Director of Programs for the DYF and is passionate about overseeing summer and year-round programs for children, teens and families with type-1 diabetes. Janet’s love for diabetes-based programming has fueled her education. She recently received her Master’s in Recreation from San Francisco State University and is a board member of the American Camp Association Northern California Section and Diabetes Education and Camping Association. At camp she is most known for her rendition of the Froggie Song and her passion for the game of Rocks. Janet is thrilled that her husband Luke and daughter Maggie are true campers at heart and love DYF just as much.
Janet Kramschuster, Director of Programs
Contact me at kramschuster@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 103
DYF’s diabetes education and care is lead by the Diabetic Youth Foundation’s Medical Director, Dr. Mary Simon. A long-time person with diabetes, and certified diabetologist, Dr. Mary Simon attends and teaches at all of our overnight programs. She also supervises a team of top-notch health care professionals from health care organizations including: Kaiser Permanente, Children’s Oakland Hospital, and University California of San Francisco (UCSF).
Dr. Mary Simon, Medical Director
Contact me at marysimonmd@hotmail.com
Nancy is a graduate of San Jose State University and has more than 15 year’s of non-profit business administration experience. My prior positions were with Goodwill Industries of San Francisco as Corporate Controller, and the National Brain Tumor Foundation as Deputy Director. Currently Nancy works at DYF to assist with their finance, operations, website and human resources functions of the organization.
In her free time Nancy enjoys gardening, watching old movies, rooting for the Oakland Raiders and motorcycling!
Nancy Gaggioli, Business Director
Contact me at gaggioli@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 102
Jennifer first attended Bearskin Meadow Camp in the early 90′s with her family after she and her younger brother were both diagnosed with type-1 diabetes (both before the age of two). She has spent nearly every summer at her home under the stars since. In 2009, Jennifer began serving as the full time Camp Manager after having spent nearly five summers in various staff positions at BMC! Jennifer plays an active role in the Diabetes Education and Camping Association’s DLead Committee, which plans & facilitates Diabetes Retreats (DTreats!) for young people ages 18 – 25. She will also serve as a faculty member for the 2011 International Diabetes Foundation’s World Congress in Dubai in December. Jennifer attended the University of California at Davis where she majored in psychology. Jennifer feels honored to be a part of carrying on the traditions and magic created by Doc and Ellen.
Jennifer Goerzen, Resident Camp Manager
Contact me at goerzen@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 106
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Krystle went to work for Medtronic Minimed where she quickly realized that her heart belongs to the Bay Area and not-for-profits. Diagnosed in 1995, Krystle first experienced DYF with her family and later returned as a camp counselor. Initially hired as the DYF Program Manager, Krystle has a passion for empowering people with diabetes through programs and life-long community. She now serves as DYF’s Development Manager and thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to share the power of the “DYF Family” with families and funders alike.
In her free time, Krystle enjoys cooking (and eating), trips to Sonoma, the latest fiction novel, tackling new DIY projects and is currently training for a half marathon.
Krystle Samai, Development Manager
Contact me at samai@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 107
Katelynn has had type-1 diabetes for twenty three years and started her career with DYF in 1990, when she first attended Bearskin Meadow Camp as a camper. After several years of being a counselor and the camp’s Office Manager, she now works full time as the DYF Office Manager. Katelynn is currently a full-time student, working on finishing a business degree and is excited to continue contributing her passion and dedication to the DYF.
In her free time, Katelynn is an avid baseball fan and takes every opportunity she can to watch the San Francisco Giants play ball!
Katelynn Nieters, Office Manager
Contact me at nieters@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 108
Joe worked at Bearskin Meadow as a counselor for two years after moving from Minneapolis, Minnesota where he graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota. He recently became a full time employee of the DYF as the Program Coordinator and looks forward to playing a larger role in the foundation. After spending two summers at Bearskin, and volunteering for many of the DYF’s year round programs, he is overwhelmingly confident in the DYF’s ability to make significant and lasting changes in the lives of those affected by type-1 diabetes. In his free time Joe plays soccer, guitar and runs as often as he can.
Joe Moran, Program Manager
Contact me at moran@dyf.org or 925-680-4994 ext. 109
Bekah was first introduced to DYF from dear friend with type 1 diabetes who participates in many DYF camps and programs. She is delighted to be part of DYF team as it provides life changing experiences and opportunities for those in the type 1 diabetes community. Bekah graduated from Shorter College with a Bachelor of Arts with major concentrations in Religion and International Studies as well as a minor concentration in Business Administration. Bekah recently moved to the Bay Area from Atlanta, Georgia, and enjoys photography, traveling, crafting, and exploring the West Coast.
Bekah Smith, Administrative Coordinator
Contact me at smith@dyf.org or 925-680-4994
