Our Team

A woman with short reddish-brown hair, glasses, and a big smile standing indoors in front of a patterned dark wall.

Donna Criner

Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board

Donna is a Co-Founder of the NICK Foundation as well as the Chairman of the Board. Donna and her husband live in Schererville.

Donna is Grandma to two granddaughters and four grandsons, one of whom is a long-term cancer survivor. His journey inspired Donna and her daughter, Kate (also a Board Member), to start the NICK Foundation in 2009.

Donna is very passionate about advocating for children with cancer and the funding they deserve at the state and federal level. She has worked with lawmakers to create, fund, pass, and reinstate legislation that helps kids and their families. Donna also works hard to develop and sustain partnerships for the NICK Foundation in the community.

  • A woman with curly brown hair, light skin, wearing sunglasses on her head, smiling in front of a window with a blue sky outside.

    Suzie Blissmer

    Board Member

    Suzie Blissmer is our newest board member. She is a long-term supporter and fundraiser for the NICK Foundation. She is a lifelong Northwest Indiana resident with nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. For the past 9 years, she has been the Director of Sales for the Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites in Munster, Indiana. Suzie has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 18 years and is the proud mom of two adult children, both married. She also loves spending time with her Cavapoo, Kona. Suzie enjoys crafting in her free time.

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    Brenda Davila

    Administrative Assistant

    Brenda Davila is the Administrative Assistant to the NICK Foundation.  She has been with the foundation since May 2023.  She is a proud mother of two adult children and a grandmother of 10.  Brenda loves spending time with her family and loves keeping busy. She is proud to be a part of the NICK Foundation team, who help support so many families who are dealing with childhood cancer.

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    Brittany Fair

    Social Media Director

    Brittany Fair is the Director of Social Media for the NICK Foundation, where she uses her creativity and passion to help share the Foundation’s mission with the world. As a Childhood Cancer survivor herself, Brittany has been part of the NICK family for many years—first as someone who was personally supported by the Foundation and now as a team member dedicated to giving back to the community that once helped her.

    When she’s not busy building brands and creating content, Brittany is usually chasing her kids around the park, trying new foods around the world, or staying active in the gym. She also enjoys attending church events and spending quality time with her family.

    Brittany knows firsthand the incredible difference the NICK Foundation makes in the lives of families facing Childhood Cancer—and she loves nothing more than sharing those stories of hope and impact every day.

  • Woman with blonde hair wearing sunglasses and a purple top taking a selfie outdoors near a river with rocks and trees in the background.

    Lauren Juran

    Board Member

    Lauren K. Juran has served on the NICK Foundation board since its inception.

    Lauren lives in Schererville with her husband.  She is the mother of three children, all of whom are enjoying successful careers.  She is a happy retiree after working for 50 years at Inland Steel/Arcelormittal/Cleveland Cliffs in Human Resources.  In retirement she has learned to play Pickleball, enjoys traveling and hanging out with her four grandchildren. 

    Being a close family friend and looking to do some volunteer work, she wanted to be a part of this amazing NICK organization.

    It has been her honor to volunteer with the NICK Foundation, working side by side with other board members and volunteers to help as many affected families as we can.  The bonus of watching Drew and others thrive and grow is wonderful.

    Lauren loves volunteering at all the NICK fundraisers, especially the annual Mark Hill Memorial Golf Outing and the annual Great Gold Rush Race.

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    Sherry Lemke

    Board Member

    Sherry Lemke is a NICK Foundation board member that has served on the board since the beginning.

    Sherry is mom to 4 and enjoys spending time with her 6 grandchildren.

    Sherry is also affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. She loves being part of something that really makes a difference in the lives of these kids and their families.

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    Kate Perschon

    Co-Founder and Board Member

    Kate Perschon is a co-founder and board member of the NICK Foundation.  She has served on the NICK board for 16 years since its inception in 2009.  Kate and her family live in St. John. She is also a Crown Point teacher.  Kate is the proud mom of two young adult sons, one of whom is an 18-year cancer survivor.  His journey inspired Kate and her mom, Donna (Chairman of the Board), to start the NICK Foundation in 2009.

    Kate loves serving NICK to pay it forward so others can have the love and support her family had during her son's treatment.  Kate's favorite NICK experience is getting to know and support families on the Annual Curefest Trip to Washington D.C. each September. She also enjoys being a Hope Volunteer and being involved in childhood cancer awareness and advocacy.