I've been type 1 since I was 9 years old. For the past 22 years I have been involved with camp. I created MYDA with the help of Karen Giesy in November of 2019. In March of 2020 the 9-person board and 34-person committee was brought together to ultimately form the best non-profit volunteer group one could ask for. 

I have had type 2 diabetes for 20 years.  I was born and raised in Havre, Montana and now live in Kalispell.  I  have had a varied work career including jobs in gas and oil exploration, machinist for the BN Railroad and worked in the IT field for the last 25 years in various industries. I retired from paid work in 2019 and have been dedicating my time trying to make my community and Montana a better place.  I have been involved with diabetes charities through the Lions Club since 2005.  It is a great pleasure to be involved with MYDA.

Hi, I’m Jodie. I have had type 1 diabetes for 41 years and now work as a PA in diabetes.  I was a camper as a child and credit my camp experiences for much of my success with my own diabetes. I continued to work as a volunteer as a young adult until I took some time off to raise my three amazing boys, Riley, Braden and Kade with my husband, Corey. I feel passionately about helping kids with diabetes and am excited to serve as the medical coordinator for MYDA and help make Camp MYDA the best experience possible.

I am the father of a 15-year-old Type One Diabetic named Thaymen. I am the general manager of Grizzly Gold and Silver in Great Falls, and I enjoy long walks on the beach. I am active on many of the Online T1 parent support groups and have been a repeat guest on the Juicebox Podcast. My only goal is to make sure my son's life is as full as possible.

Hello! I am Mary, and I have had T1D for 26 years! Camp has been such a passionate thing in my life as I was a camper myself at a young age. I am here to share my life experiences with other kids as well. I have other passions as well, like hunting, fishing, camping, and my family. I have been a cosmetologist for 12 years and an owner of a salon for 6 years, and although T1D can be challenging, I choose to live my best life and have control of it the best I can!

I became involved with Type1 when my son was diagnosed in 2016 as a young adult. I feel camp experiences can be some of the best memories and learning experiences available when you are a child.  I want to ensure that all kids with T1D can also have an opportunity for those experiences. That is why I am so excited to be involved with MYDA.

My name is Karen Giesy.  My grandson Jayden was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9 and my life changed forever! It was my goal to do what I could to help Jayden have a promising future. That’s when Tonya and I decided to start a nonprofit to assist kids and families with TID.

I grew up in Rudyard, MT where helping your neighbors was a way of life.  It was my good fortune to spend my career working in Glacier National Park.  I am now retired and giving back to the community however I can.  My life is great with my husband Roger, son Ryan his fiancé Janay, daughter, Abreon her husband David along with 3 amazing grandchildren Jayden, Jazmine and Dominic.

I am a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. My career has been entirely with the diabetes world for 31 years now. In addition my husband Jason of now 30 years, was diagnosed a couple years after we were married. I currently work for the MT Diabetes Program at the state health department. My role includes helping increase access to diabetes care and education across the state. I also lead a statewide workgroup on diabetes care at schools.  We are blessed with two sons- Andy and Sam. I enjoy hiking and fishing in north Helena.

Michele is an endocrinologist who has been in practice in Missoula since 1999. She is a Montana native who moved back home after completing her medical training in Seattle, Portland and San Diego. She is a big fan of all of the outdoor opportunities western Montana has to offer and is thrilled to be part of MYDA and helping make Camp MYDA an unforgettable week to look forward to every summer!

Susan M. Nicosia, was appointed city manager of Columbia Falls in June 2011. She has over 30 years serving local governments in different capacities, including external and internal auditor, finance director, elected official, and consultant. She holds a B.O.S Business Admin. Degree and a Master of Public Administration Degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her daughter was diagnosed with type 1 at a young age. She has since then become an advocate for kids with type 1 as she knows how important it is to have the utmost support for these kids and their families. 

Jennifer Hurst (Troupe) is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with over 20 years experience caring for people living with diabetes. She has served in a variety of roles during her career, which include direct patient care (inpatient and outpatient), technology training on insulin pumps and continuous glucose sensors, administration, patient engagement and advocacy. Jennifer has two daughters and lives in the Bitterroot Valley.   She currently is a student at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana to pursue her lifetime dream of a career in law and advocacy.