Junior Board

The Swifty Foundation invites, encourages and nurtures youth leadership. The Junior Board is involved in every aspect of the Foundation’s work from fundraising and communication to the awarding and evaluation of grants. Junior Board members include Michael’s siblings, cousins and friends of all ages. We are immensely proud and thankful for the passion, creativity and energy they bring to the work of the Swifty Foundation.


BRIDGET GUSTAFSON

CO-CHAIR AND MICHAEL’S TWIN SISTER

Bridget is a sophomore at the University of California: Berkeley and is just hoping to graduate on time (fingers crossed). As of now, she is studying molecular environmental biology, but is keeping an open mind and heart to see if anything else calls to her more. Read More…

IAN GUSTAFSON

CO-CHAIR, LIASION TO GOVERNING BOARD AND MICHAEL’S BROTHER

After his recent graduation from Johns Hopkins, Ian Gustafson is working as a US History teacher in Greenville Mississippi with Teach for America. Ian is especially interested in the advocacy work Swifty is involved in. Read More…

KIRA COUCH

BOARD MEMBER

Kira is currently a sophomore at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where she is majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish. She works in the biology lab on campus, and she is also a Biology 101 mentor. Read More…

SHANNON CARROLL

BOARD MEMBER

Working for Cigna Healthcare, Shannon works every day to help her client’s employees live healthier lifestyles. When Shannon isn’t working, you can find her at her lake house in Michigan or going to concerts to listen to live music. Read More…

MICA BECKMAN

BOARD MEMBER

Mica is currently a Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying International Studies, Spanish, and Middle East Studies. She enjoys yoga, hanging out with friends, and playing intramural volleyball. Read More…

DAVID MCHUGH

BOARD MEMBER

David currently attends Iowa State University where he intends to graduate in 2020. There, David is a Biology major who hopes to one day work in pediatric research. On top of that, he works as a Peer Mentor for the Biology program, co-leading two sections of an orientation class for new freshmen. Read More…

JUSTIN AZZARO

BOARD MEMBER

Justin is currently a Junior at Elon University in North Carolina. Since Justin is majoring in finance he is very involved in the financial aspects of the Swifty Foundation. As a lifelong friend of Michael’s there are many stories he wishes he could share, but a standout is being on the Naperville North Golf Team with Michael. Read More…

COLIN HASSETT

BOARD MEMBER

Colin is currently an undergrad studying computer science and mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also works for the Computer Science department at the university helping students new to programming gain computing confidence. Colin enjoys working on Swifty’s Finance Committee and helping do the work his friend Michael started. Read More…

KEVIN BRANER

BOARD MEMBER

Kevin is currently a student at Naperville North High School. He is often seen racing around to various extracurricular activities such as practices and matches for the JV golf team and Varsity hockey team. Read More…

MATT BRANER

BOARD MEMBER

Matt is a student at Naperville North High School and will graduate in 2018. Besides studying, he spends most of his time playing sports or music. Matt is a member of the NNHS boys golf team and plays alto saxophone in the NNHS show choir combo. Read More…

MEG ROETTER

BOARD MEMBER

Meghan is is an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse, currently working at a cancer center as a Nurse Navigator. When not at work, Meghan can be found CrossFit training as well as enjoying her family, especially her four-year old niece. Read More…

MEREDITH CONWAY

BOARD MEMBER

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. Read More…

OSCAR

MICHAEL’S DOG

Michael asked for a dog when he was re-diagnosed with his cancer. He took his time researching and finally chose this guy, Oscar. The two of them spent many an hour lying together reading, watching videos on the ipad or just chillin’. Read More…