Staff and Interns

Patti Gustafson has a BA in Accounting from Indiana University and served as a CPA for Laventhol & Horwath. She changed careers earning a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and became a first grade teacher. While raising her three children she served on the boards of the Ounce of Prevention Fund and the Gustafson Family Foundation. Since Michael’s death her full-time professional efforts have been devoted to the mission of the Swifty Foundation. Patti has been married to Al since 1989, and wishes her two adult children would move closer to home!

As Program Director for Gift from a Child (GFAC), a national Post-Mortem Tissue Donation Program, Ginny has been pivotal in transforming GFAC into a national network since its launch in 2017. She has played an essential role in developing the operational framework and organizational flow, ensuring families, scientists, and clinicians connect around the shared mission of advancing brain cancer research.

Through her leadership, Ginny supports families facing the loss of a child to brain cancer, working to raise awareness and provide compassionate guidance. With a deep commitment to fostering collaborative relationships, she advocates for expanded partnerships that drive scientific discovery. Representing GFAC at scientific, governmental, and advocacy events, Ginny utilizes her extensive communications expertise to champion the importance of post-mortem donations and data-sharing. Her work extends into volunteer efforts, where she contributes her skills generously to the childhood brain cancer community.

Nikki is a graduate of Columbia University with a focus in behavioral neuroscience and biology, dedicated to understanding how stress and brain tumors affect the brain at a molecular level. She is currently engaged in cutting-edge DIPG research at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her journey through scientific research has been complemented by a deep commitment to patient advocacy and health literacy, with active roles in organizations such as Gift from a Child and Tough2Gether. In her work, Nikki helps families grasp the science underlying clinical trials and treatment options for pediatric brain cancer. One of her contributions to this field, Brain Tumor 101, is a lecture series designed to explain the science behind pediatric brain tumors and will debut at the Brainstorm Summit.

Nikki’s advocacy extends beyond brain tumor research. She is passionate about supporting equitable access to education for students with chronic illnesses and disabilities. A current MD/Ph.D. applicant, Nikki aims to bridge clinical and research aspects of pediatric neuro-oncology.

Mica is Michael’s cousin and served as a member of the Junior Board from 2013-2020. She will be working with Swifty as an intern before attending law school at the University of Chicago in the fall. Her favorite memory with Michael was walking down the aisle arm-in-arm as the ring bearer and flower girl at her parents’ wedding, and she is eager to continue to push forward his legacy and mission of ending pediatric cancer forever.

Cajsa is sophomore studying Marketing Managment at the University of St. Thomas’s Opus College of Business in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is a part of the Women in Business club, and hopes to go into work with nonprofit organizations following her graduation. Cajsa is originally from Naperville, Illinois and became friends with Bridget and Michael in sixth grade at Kennedy Junior High. She has been a supporter of Swifty since it’s start and came on as a Social Media Ambassador in November of 2017. This year Cajsa is thrilled to be on board as a Social Media Marketing Intern for Swifty and she looks forward to aiding the foundation in any way she can.

Meredith comes to Swifty as a great friend of Bridget and Michael’s, having gone to school with them since kindergarten. Meredith will be studying PR as a sophomore at Syracuse University this fall and is super excited to be helping Swifty with social media and event planning for the summer. She is a member of Syracuse’s club water polo team and is a member of the Student Affairs Advisory Board. In her spare time she enjoys arguing with people from New York about how much better Chicago is than New York City and how much better deep dish pizza is!

Rohit is studying Finance, Entrepreneurship and Business Analytics at the Kelley School of Business. In his free time he likes to play golf, basketball, hang with friends and bake. Back in high school, Michael was his friend. Being a part of the Swifty Foundation, Rohit has helped promote Michael’s dream that no kid should have to go through the pain he did. He is honored to receive the opportunity of being an intern to help Michael’s family and all families that are affected by pediatric cancer.

Jeremy is a student at Indiana University majoring in Finance, Economic Consulting and History. He graduated from Hinsdale Central High School and enjoys playing baseball and reading about all things Roman in his spare time. Being a part of the Swifty Foundation has been an amazing opportunity for him to help young kids and their families who are struggling. Jeremy is also honored to be able to work with such a group of outstanding people who have huge hearts and are willing to give their time to such an amazing cause.