Founders, Katia and Anthony Conte continue to fight everyday in memory of their beautiful eight-year old daughter, Daniela Marie Conte, who so courageously and bravely fought ERMS for four years. She smiled every single day and never once complained about having cancer. Their focus is to raise awareness, fund research to develop less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancers with a particular interest in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), and financially assist pediatric patients and their families going through treatment. They feel privileged and grateful to be working side by side with a wonderful group of individuals with big hearts who volunteer their time to help manage and lead the Daniela Conte Foundation.
Katia who is the Executive Director/President, sits on the board and supports with daily operations and fundraising events along side our incredible Board of Directors. Anthony volunteers his time as Vice President.
Together, they work hand in hand with all the board members to deliver hope to children and families fighting cancer.
Foundation Board Members
Our Board donates their time and talents taking no salary. You can be certain that your money is going to nothing other than pediatric cancer research and to financially help support families of kids with cancer. We serve this Foundation because we loved Daniela and don't want other families to suffer the loss we have suffered.
Maria Galofaro
Maria Galofaro who serves on the board is a Dix Hills resident, married with 3 daughters who all attend Commack Schools and play travel soccer. She is a paraprofessional at Signal Hill, Half Hollow Central School District. Maria is determined in helping the Conte Family in achieving their mission for the Daniela Conte Foundation
Vickie Morici
Vickie Morici who also serves on the board is a wife and mother of two children, who believes that a cure for childhood cancers are of the utmost importance. Vickie and her family also reside in Dix Hills. She has a Masters of Arts degree from New York University and currently works for the Levittown Public School District as a Reading Specialist. Vickie is also an active member in her Greek Orthodox Church and the Commack community as well.
Kerri Jennings
Kerri Jennings, who serves on the board, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with medically complex children. It was at Sunrise Day Camp in 2017 where Kerri worked as a supervisor when she met Daniela and the rest of the Conte Family. Kerri is passionate about supporting the Conte Family while fundraising for the Daniela Conte Foundation, as she believes in the ultimate goal to never stop working until there is a cure for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee, who serves on the board, is a senior at Baruch College with a major in marketing. She first met the Conte Family at Sunrise Day Camp in 2017 as Daniela's sister, Gemma's counselor. Currently, on her fourth year at Sunrise, she has worked closely with all the Conte kids and sees them as family. Over the years, Amanda was inspired by Daniela and her siblings to become very passionate about fundraising and raising awareness for pediatric cancer. She is determined to help the Daniela Conte Foundation achieve its goal of raising money and awareness towards Rhabdomyosarcoma research.
Kirsten Wenger
Kirsten Wenger resides in Dix Hills, NY with her husband and four children. She has been an elementary educator for the last twenty years. As a board member, she is dedicated to helping the Conte Family raise awareness about Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma though the Daniela Conte Foundation.
Risa Bressler
Risa Bressler, who serves on the board, is a wife and mother of two beautiful children. Risa is presently living in Dix Hills, NY. At the University of Buffalo, she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Human Resources, and is currently working at Deloitte in that capacity. Whether volunteering in the adult recreation department at Memorial Sloan Kettering, or giving as much time as she could for Hugs for Brady Foundation, Risa has always had a passion and a drive to help in any possible way in trying to find a cure for cancer. She looks at her own healthy children, and yearns for the day that all children will have a chance to fight this horrific disease and hopefully beat it.
Lisa Amatulli
Lisa Amatulli who serves on the board, is Daniela's cousin and married with two daughters. Lisa is a Regulatory Strategist who has over 20 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry, serves as a member of the Global Pediatric Forum and holds a Master of Science degree from Temple University. Lisa is determined to raise awareness about Embryonal
Rhabdomyosarcoma and support the Daniela Conte Foundation in the effort to acheive the goal of finding a cure for pediatric patients.
Julie Moore
Julie Moore, who serves on the board, is a wife and mother to two young daughters. She is a special education teacher in the Sachem Central School District. She has always worked with young children, focusing especially on those with special needs. She is committed to finding a cure for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Michelle Bocelli-McCrystal
Michelle Bocelli-McCrystal is a member of the board who resides in Dix Hills with her family. She is mother to three sons and one daughter. Michelle runs a local children’s formal wear business. She is committed to helping put an end to childhood cancers.