Make-A-Wish® Connecticut Welcomes New Staff

Kailani Gadlin is the new Wish Coordinator and comes to the chapter with 18 years’ experience in banking and management, most recently working in a real estate law firm. Kai has an extensive background in community service, event planning and volunteerism. Creating hope and life-changing wishes is a cause near and dear to her heart. She personally knows the struggle and challenges of caring for a chronically ill child. The joy, love, and excitement that her angel daughter's wish in 2011 brought to her family was life changing. Kai is thrilled to make wish magic and is excited to be a part of the Connecticut team.

Amber Tillinghast joined the team as Volunteer & Community Coordinator and is thrilled to be a part of the Connecticut chapter, especially at this exciting time when new volunteer opportunities are coming to life along with the new Wishing Place! She comes to the organization from the American Cancer Society with an extensive background in volunteer management, community service and event planning. Amber personally finds great joy in volunteering and has a true passion and appreciation for volunteer work and her fellow volunteers, as she volunteered as part of the AmeriCorps Program, is a Family Pal for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and now a volunteer Wish Granter.

Jake Beneski was hired as the Wish Journey Coordinator. He is responsible for coordinating wish journey experiences and events to create meaningful long-term engagement with wish families before, during, and after their wishes. As a wish alum himself, Jake brings a very personal perspective to his role. His wish to meet the cast of Suite Life with Zack and Cody was granted in 2008. Jake manages the Wish Alumni Program and creates magical experiences for wish families at the organization’s new Wishing Place.

Danielle Lowe joined the team as a Wish Coordinator and is excited to spark joy and create hope for our wish children by designing, coordinating and executing their wish experiences. She comes to the chapter with four years of experience in the events and fundraising space. Formerly the Public and Media Relations Event Planner and the Donations Coordinator for Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York, she planned and oversaw all the internal events for patients and families, as well as worked alongside Foundations for all in-kind and monetary donations within the Child Life Department. Danielle was also the Pet Therapy Coordinator, where she oversaw the Pet Therapy Program at the hospital.

“As we complete our chapter’s 35th year serving children in our state, it is crucial that we have qualified professionals in place who are not only passionate about, but also dedicated to, furthering our mission to create life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses,” shares Make-A-Wish Connecticut President and CEO Pam Keough. “The next decade promises to bring unprecedented growth to the chapter and the number and kinds of wish experiences we hope to create.”

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH CONNECTICUT

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because every child deserves a childhood. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illnesses. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers across the state unite to deliver hope to wish kids and their families when they need it most. In total, Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted more than 3,600 wishes to local children. For more information about Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit wish.org/ct.