Board Members
President - Meghan Fido
Professional Biography
Meghan Fido has worked in the field of education for the last 23 years. She is National Board Certified in Early Childhood Education with a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instructions specializing in Mathematics. Endorsements include English Language, Algebra, and Special Education. Currently she serves as an Assistant Principal for Chicago Public Schools. She has held this role for the last 10 years and worked in many areas of the city. She has also served on committees to support a positive school culture and maintains connections to the community by engaging in and organizing school wide events.
Personal Statement
“I am a proud mom of two young children (8 and 10) with PKU. I thrive on being involved in their activities and interests. I believe in teaching children how to be responsible and advocate for themselves and others. I am passionate about public service and engage in opportunities that support my desire to enhance the lives of others.”
Vice President - Nick Ferguson
I am PKU adult who grew up in the Chicago area. I currently work as a data scientist and transportation modeler in the urban planning field. I live in Oak Park with my wife and two daughters and enjoy spending time playing/listening to music, gaming, and gardening with them.
I am thankful for this opportunity to continue paying it forward in my sixth year on the board.
Treasurer - Donna Pfeil
Professional Biography
Donna Pfeil is a retired technology and security professional with years of collective experience in Information Technology, Information Security, Audit, Business Continuity, Finance and Accounting, Project Management, Vendor Management, Non-Profits, Grants Management and Risk Management.
Personal comment
“I am a Mom to three very accomplished adult children and a dog. I am a Grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren. Two of my grandchildren have PKU. I have a strong desire to contribute in any way possible to secure and enhance their future and the future of others living with PKU.”
NPKUA Rep - Soo Shim
Soo Shim MS, MBA. LCSW is a clinical social worker currently employed at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Hospital in the Division of Genetics, Genomics and Metabolism. Soo is currently on the NPKUA National Alliance Board, The PKU of Illinois Board and joined the NPKUA Scientific Board this year. Soo is a recipient of the Social Work Leader of the Year Award in 2014 by the SSWHLC Illinois Chapter. In addition to her clinical role, Soo is an adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago. Mrs. Shim received her graduate Master of Social Work degree from Columbia in New York and undergraduate degree B.S in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis.
Thank you for allowing me to serve on the PKU of Illinois Board. It is truly a joy.
PKU Ambassador for Illinois - Mary Lonski
Mary Lonski has been an ambassador of PKU Organization of IL for longer than many can remember, as she is the first PKU patient in the state of Illinois! She works diligently to support the organization by bringing joy through her newsletters and making ribbons to sell at events. All proceeds go directly back to research. Mary loves fashion, has a heart of gold, and celebrates her birthday with us every year at the Annual Meeting.
Outreach: Kirsten Frankfort
Kirsten Frankfort, MSN, RN, CNL, B.S. Computer Science, is a Master’s prepared Registered Nurse and also holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. Kirsten brings technical skills around digital platforms, branding, marketing, and content creation through her many years of experience as a software developer and online parenting platform, Bump to Baby and Beyond. She previously worked as a registered nurse in the Lurie Children’s Hospital Neonatal ICU where she grew her passion for advocacy through her care of many rare conditions and acute care needs of infants. Kirsten has expanded her philanthropic efforts and is a fierce advocate for PKU forming her own 501c(3) – The Frankfort Family Foundation for PKU, sits on the NPKUA Fundraising Committee, and an active host committee member for the Lifting the Limits for PKU Chicago Gala. As the outreach officer and editor-in-chief for ‘The PKU Press’, Kirsten hopes to personally connect with the local community by sharing ideas, stories, recipes, and tips and tricks that make daily life with PKU a little smoother.
Personal Statement:
“I am a proud mom of four young children (also a twin mom!) and my two sons have PKU. Beyond my skills and experience, my passion is fueled by my two boys I see both struggle and thrive with this rare disease and believe no person should have to live in fear that what they eat could cause irreversible brain damage or have to manage lifelong complex diets and regiments. I am humbled and honored to broaden my impact in the PKU community at both the local and national levels. I feel the incredible effects these advocacy and fundraising efforts have on not only my sons’ future but the entire PKU community. It has been very rewarding to be a part of it.”
Lurie Children's Liaison - Anne Kozek
Anne Kozek is a metabolic dietitian at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Her career as a metabolic RD started at the University of IL at Chicago helping those families for about 18 years. From there she joined Early Intervention teams in IL and FL. While in Early Intervention she participated in courses that allowed her to become a trained feeding therapist. The last 4.5 years she has married her love of metabolic nutrition and feeding therapy helping the families of Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Secretary & Cooking Lead - Kimberly Gralen
Camp lead - Pam Kowalczyk
Vendor Relations - Shane Petrelli
Camp co-lead - Danae Bartke
Committee member - Clarissa Bontrager
Committee member - Grant Smith