Executives

Nicole Donzello was diagnosed with Acute Monoblastic Leukemia on February 8, 2015. After completing six months of chemotherapy, she relapsed in October of 2016. Ms. Donzello then received a allogeneic stem cell transplant February of 2017 and

relapsed approximately ninety days later in May of 2017. She then completed additional therapy comprised of chemotherapy and an inhibitor medication. Ms. Donzello relapsed again and received a haploidentical stem cell transplant, from her brother, in June of 2020. She remains in remission and is currently being treated for graft v. host disease of the eyes and lungs. It was while she was being treated for leukemia that she became concerned for individuals who were suffering financially as a result of their diagnosis and subsequent inability to work. After speaking to her fellow patients, Ms. Donzello decided that she wanted to help ease the burden of fellow leukemia patients and their families by creating a foundation that would provide monetary grants to those in need. It is Ms. Donzello’s hope that these grants can ease the patients’ concerns so that they may focus on their treatment and recovery. Ms. Donzello has a strong commitment to her community as evidenced by her service. Ms. Donzello has previously served, and currently serves on numerous boards for various non-profit organizations throughout the State of Connecticut. For example she served on the Compass Youth Collaborative Board of Directors located in Hartford Connecticut. Compass Youth Collaborative is a program that aids youth to reengage in their school, family and community while helping youth and their families navigate social and economic obstacles. Ms Donzello also served on the Woodbridge Child Center Board of Directors, a non- profit child care center, located in Woodbridge Connecticut. In addition, she was a member of the Ward 26 Democratic Committee in New Haven

Connecticut where she created free community events for the children of the ward including Friday night movie nights as well as the first Halloween costume party. Ms. Donzello served as Vice President for the Woodbridge Dog Park Cooperative, a non-profit organization assigned the task of funding and building the first dog park in Woodbridge Connecticut. Ms. Donzello is also a member of the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at Smilow Cancer Hospital. PFAC is a council comprised of patients and family members of patients that work with the staff at the hospital on a variety of projects and programs to help improve the quality of service patients receive at the hospital. Ms. Donzello is currently serving on the Commission on the Use of Publicly Owned Property for the town of Woodbridge, as well as the Housing Opportunity Study Committee charged with creating and implementing affordable housing within the town of Woodbridge. Her greatest pleasure, however, is in her role of founder and president of the Nicole Donzello Foundation. Ms. Donzello also volunteers and participates with many non-profit events and programs throughout Connecticut. For example, she has participated in the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Light the Night walks where she was awarded Rookie Team of the Year for 2015 and was named Honoree for 2016. Ms. Donzello has also volunteered for the Amity Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading Program, as well the faith formation program at Our Lady of Assumption in Woodbridge Connecticut. She participated and planned, with her amazing board members and community, the First Annual Tasting Event for The Nicole Donzello Foundation in February of 2020. This event enabled the foundation to provide fourteen need- based monetary grants totaling $23,000 to both adult and pediatric leukemia patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Ms. Donzello also dedicated her career to providing legal representation to indigent members within the community. Ms. Donzello was employed with the Law Office of the Public Defender for the State of Connecticut as a Senior Assistant Public

Defender, recently retiring as a result of her diagnosis after approximately twenty years. A rewarding career that she hopes to return to. Ms. Donzello is a graduate of the George Washington University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and received a J.D. and graduated cum laude from the Quinnipiac University School of Law. She resides in Woodbridge Connecticut with her husband, children, two cats, two dogs, and 10 chickens.

Andrea Polinsky is a former trade organization industry executive presently dedicating

her time to numerous charitable and non-profit foundations in her community. Andrea

has held several positions on the Executive Boards of the Woodbridge and Amity school

systems including President and Co-President. In addition to her position with NDF,

Andrea currently holds a seat on the Board of Managers for the Yale New Haven

Hospital Auxiliary.  She has served on the Auxiliary Looking Forward fundraising

committee for the last 20 years and is the current Co-Chair of the Looking Forward

Fashion Show which raises over $60,000 annually for integrative patient support

programs at the Smilow Cancer Center.

Chadi is honored to serve as a board member for The Nicole Donzello Foundation. As a care giver to a loved one with cancer, Chadi is intimately aware of the difficulties families can face as they support their patient and appreciates first hand the purpose of this organization.  Chadi is currently an engineer for a leading aerospace company. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Connecticut, and a Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  Chadi is actively engaged in Mentoring local high school students in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) to help them prepare for their University years and future careers. 

Lisa Conley is honored to serve as Secretary for the Nicole Donzello Foundation. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and licensed School Counselor with over twenty years experience in a multitude of counseling roles.  During this time, she was fortunate to  create advising and internship programs, serve on numerous school and district wide committees, and help students navigate their most challenging adolescent years. Additionally, Lisa owns a private consulting company which works with individual families to  help navigate the post secondary and career exploration processes as well as offer courses on executive functioning and other life skill essentials. Aside from working with NDF, Lisa also serves on the Looking Forward Fashion Show Committee, and is the manager  of her son's hockey team after having worked in volunteer roles for the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross throughout the past thirty years. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from Ithaca College and a Master's in School Counseling  and a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. Lisa adores time spent with family and enjoys the outdoors- hiking, walking through the woods, biking, running and most importantly, working in her most challenging  role as Mom to her active, intelligent son.

Ryan is a Vice President of Sales for Aon and is responsible for business development and client relationship management across the broad array of Aon solutions and services within Health & Benefits, HR and Commercial Risk Solutions. In addition, Ryan’s responsibilities include driving growth by ensuring that the Aon team works seamlessly with prospective clients and existing clients in all areas of their health & benefits and risk management programs. Prior to joining Aon in 2021, Ryan spent approximately 7 years at Mercer in the Greater New York area where he served in similar roles, driving business development across Mercer’s various lines of business. Before joining Mercer, Ryan spent 12 years in the human resources technology space in various roles within the Northeast driving new revenue and sales leadership for ADP and Ultimate Software. Ryan has focused on organizations of all sizes throughout his career ranging from small employers, mid-market employers and large enterprise employers. Outside of his professional career, Ryan spends much of his time giving back to the community. He currently serves as the Vice President for the Beth-Wood Baseball League, which he has been a part of since 2014. Prior to being elected as VP, he served as the executive board's Secretary for 5 years. In addition to his involvement with the local baseball league, Ryan also serves as a board member for the London-Riley and RJB Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is an organziation in Rhode Island that provides aid for families and patients who are cancer survivors. In addition to his roles serving on various non-profit boards, Ryan is also the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Hopkins School in New Haven,CT. Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Ryan lives in Woodbridge with his wife Karyn, their three children, Addyson, Natlaie and Jack and their two dogs Ruby and Stella.