Bios

Tim Wambach, President & Founder

Tim was born and raised in Chicago, attended St. Mary of the Woods Grammar School and Loyola Academy High School. He graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a BA in Speech/Communications. He has worked as Youth Director for St. Mary of the Woods (Chicago), Sales Rep for elementary textbooks, speaker for National Financial Educators, Speech Coach at Glenbrook South High School, and trainer for Next Level Consulting and Chad Carden Group providing training services for Fortune 500 companies.

Tim authored the book “How We Roll” in March of 2010, a book describing his relationship with Mike Berkson. Tim ran 717 miles between Orlando, FL and Chicago, IL in August of 2005 to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy.

In 2006, Dr. Bernard Brommel, retired speech professor of NEIU, dedicated a scholarship in Tim’s name for students overcoming great odds.

 

Currently, Tim and Mike spend much of their time on the road performing Handicap This! (www.HandicapThis.com) to help raise awareness and further the mission of Keep On Keeping On. Tim can be reached at: tim@keeponkeepingon.org or 847-322-1297

 

 

Dave Kunicki, Co-Founder

Dave was born and raised in Chicago, attended St. Mary of the Woods Grammar School, and Loyola Academy H.S. He received his BA in Communications at the University of Dayton, where he was an active member of both the student-ran newspaper and radio station. Since becoming so inspired working with KOKO, Dave went back to school to obtain his MBA with a concentration in non-profit management at Concordia University-Chicago. Dave has extensive experience in Fundraising, Promotions, Marketing, and Event Coordination.

Dave considers himself a “social entrepreneur”, and is constantly coming up with new ideas to “save the world”. In his free time he enjoys running, writing, politics, sarcasm, tivo, giving people nicknames, and avoiding Foley’s Bar & Grill.

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Joyce, Financial Director & Co-Founder

Dan was born and raised in Chicago, and attended Queen of All Saints Grammar School. Dan’s philanthropic heart truly developed through numerous service projects at Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) where he attended high school. At Loyola, Dan learned what it meant to be a “Man For Others”. Upon graduation, he continued his service at the University of Iowa where he held Philanthropy Chair for multiple terms in his fraternity. Soon after, Dan served as the Senator for Students with Disabilities in Iowa’s Student Government. Over the past few years, Dan Joyce has helped raised over $300,000 for various causes. It’s not all work, though. Dan learned that the best way to raise funds is to create an environment that rewards the donor beyond their expectations.

As the Financial Director, Dan works with corporations interested in sponsoring event and/or contributing directly to the organization’s mission. With his financial background, he successfully ensures a win-win situation for all who lend their support to Keep On Keeping On. Dan is married to his lovely wife Bernadette. He is an avid runner and enjoys Comedy Central and XRT.

 

 

Judy Nowak, Promotions Director


Judy was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She attended Brentano Lorenz Grade School, Portage Central High School in Portage, MI and then graduated Northwestern Business College in Chicago as a CMT (Certified Massage Therapist) with an Associates Degree.

When Judy is not doing Promotions or Volunteer work for KOKO, you can find her putting her passion for helping others to good use by doing anything from volunteering her time for the AVON Breast Cancer Walk, helping launch hot air balloons, helping promote and book local bands along some networking or simply hopping in her car and taking off on a road trip somewhere. She is best described as a ‘Mover and a Shaker’!!

Judy can be reached at: judy@keeponkeepingon.org or 773.807.1805

 

 

 

 

Mike Berkson, Awareness Leader & Co-Founder

Mike was born a few minutes after his twin brother David in 1989. Mike was diagnosed shortly after with Cerebral Palsy. Doctors told his parents that he would not be able to talk and he never would be a student in a regular classroom. By the time Mike was 3, he was not only talking up a storm but had a thirst for vocabulary. Mike excels in English and History and his creativity in writing short stories is memorable. Mike’s life on a day-to-day basis is not enviable. Everyday can be a struggle, but he chooses to see all that life has to offer. Mike’s inner strength is absolutely unbelievable. He is our hero and the inspiration behind the Keep On Keeping On Foundation.

Mike is thrilled to be performing on the road with Handicap This!...spreading awareness for Keep On Keeping On to everyone he meets. As for his spare time, you will never meet a bigger movie buff than Mike, period. Movies are his life-and he hopes to share his screenplay with the world someday soon!