42 Years of Care and Ensuring No One Fights Alone!

Leadership & Staff

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. – Mother Teresa

NF Midwest has a small efficient staff and depends on volunteers. We also have a board of directors and a professional advisory board. If you are interested in serving in any way please contact us.

NF Midwest Staff

Diana Haberkamp

Executive Director

Diana has two children and a husband with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and has been involved with the organization since 1997. She became our new executive director in 2008. Diana has a background in real estate, marketing, information technology and more. Between her now adult children and her husband, she has dealt with many of the complications of NF1. She has a real dedication to the cause and to the families and individuals dealing with neurofibromatosis and a determination to the bring a brighter future to her family and others.

Sarah Selogic, BSW

Care and Outreach Director

Sarah joined NF Midwest in November 2022 as our Care and Outreach Director. Sarah is from the buckeye state of Ohio where she earned a degree in social work and her Ohio LSW. She has several years of social work experience and has worked in diverse areas such as mental health, family support in schools, senior services, and foster care. While Sarah does not have a personal connection to NF, it has always been her mission to help and support others in any way she can. Have a question or need an advocate in your corner give Sarah a call.

Ted Woodlock, CNP

Fundraising and Event Director

Ted Woodlock is a Certified Nonprofit Professional who brings over 25 years of nonprofit experience to NF Midwest. During his career, he has collaborated with volunteers and staff to organize fundraising events and campaigns for local nonprofits to support their mission. While he doesn’t have a connection with NF, he does bring his passion for helping others. He will be planning and supporting all the Walk4NF events, Do It Your Way (DIY) fundraising programs, and all other fundraising activities for NF Midwest. If you have any questions or have any ideas, Ted is available to help!

Karissa Haberkamp

Assistant/Communications

Karissa works for NF Midwest part-time and started in September 2016. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication and Media from Arizona State University online. In addition, she has a year of schooling in social work from Illinois State University. She helps with many tasks around our busy office and helps to maintain our social media and website. Karissa is also affected by NF1 herself and has been involved in the NF community for most of her life.

Joan Scott

Joan Scott joined NF Midwest in the summer of 2019. She works part-time as an office assistant and all around utility player. While Joan doesn’t have a personal connection to NF she volunteered frequently in the office for quite a while and has a passion for the work and a willingness to do anything to help the NF community. Look for her helping at events or she may the one contacting you if you are in need of something from the office.

Board of Directors

Denise Dulceak

Board Chair
Geneva, IL

Denise is a mom of a child with Neurofibromatosis (NF1) and has been involved in the organization since his diagnosis. Denise has a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Science. She is also a licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master. Currently Denise works full time in medical billing and accounts receivable for the DuPage Eye Surgery Center. Denise looks forward to helping others and raising awareness.

Gail Mavrogenes

Director
Geneva, IL

Gail is a founding member of NF Midwest. She also helped establish the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation which is now known as the Children’s Tumor Foundation. She is also a long-time business owner and former member of the Peace Corp.

Lesli Wegner

Director

Lesli has a grown child  with Neurofibromatosis (NF-1). She has been involved in different ways with NF Midwest since 2001. Lesli is a Registered Nurse with 20 years’ experience in Hematology/Oncology nursing.  She has been active in the Naperville Walk4NF and has served on the committee for many years.

Professional Advisory Board

Robert Listernick, MD

Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago
NF Clinic Director, Pediatrics

Nikolas Mata-Machado, MD

University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago
NF Clinic Director, Neurologist

James Tonsgard, MD

University of Chicago
NF Clinic Director, Neurologist

People Are Talking

Today I had the chance to get together with a friend that I haven't seen in quite some time, and we managed to talk for three hours about our boys, ages 9 and 12, both with NF1. On my way home, I thought about how blessed I have been and the blessing that has been NF Midwest. My family's lives have been tremendously impacted by the NF Midwest family.  That's truly what they have become to us-family.  Earlier this spring, we had the opportunity to go to the NF Midwest office in St. Charles, IL.  I'm not quite sure what I expected, but there were only three people running this organization that serves NF families in six states! Little did I realize that this visit would lead to the biggest adventure in all of my son 9 years, as he got to go to NF camp in Virginia. Not a day goes by since he came home that camp isn't mentioned. Even more remarkable than that is that those campers’ experiences were made possible by people who just want to make a difference. Making positive differences in the lives of people with NF is ultimately what NF Midwest represents to me. Of course, their contributions to research are extraordinary, and our family has seen first-hand how wonderful camp can be, but I am just as moved when I see a simple message from the staff at NF Midwest offering thoughts and support for someone who is scared and anxious about a test result. The uncertainties of NF can be too much for people to bear and can leave them feeling powerless (yes, I am speaking from personal experience). Our participation in NF Midwest has helped us take some of that power back, and has given us hope.

- NFmom

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