About

WHO IS THE MADDOG STRONG FOUNDATION

Who We Are

The Maddog Strong Foundation was created in the spirit of Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier who passed away unexpectedly from an asthma attack the day after her 18th birthday. Maddie inspired many by donating her organs and tissues so that others could live on to do amazing things for the world. Only three months before she died, Maddie miraculously walked away with just a few bumps and bruises from a very serious car accident… that accident inspired her to sit down and have a conversation with her parents about organ donation. “If something like this ever happens to me again and I don’t make it,” she said, “promise me that you’ll donate my organs so that something good can come from tragedy.”

OUR MISSION

Inspire the Next Generation of
Organ and Tissue Donation Advocates

The mission of the Maddog Strong Foundation is to inspire the next generation of organ and tissue donation advocates by providing education, promoting donor registration, and encouraging conversations about this life-saving topic. 

OUR VISION

Education. Registration. Conversation.

Our vision is a world where no one has to wait for a life-saving transplant because everyone can have open and informed conversations about being a registered donor.

OUR PILLARS

View Our Annual Impact Report

VIEW HERE

Take a look at some of our accomplishments and
activities from this past year, showcasing our incredible achievements and the progress we have made.

Gifted: The Docuseries

The Maddog Strong Foundation is the Fiscal Sponsor for Gifted: The Docuseries, which won four International Telly Awards. Episode 3 focuses on the story of the inspiration for the Maddog Strong Foundation, Maddie ‘Maddog’ Grobmeier.

Learn more about how you can support this life-saving project at https://gifted-productions.com/

Board of Directors

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Dr. Cyndi Grobmeier

President

Dr. Cyndi Grobmeier (Ed.d) is on faculty in the Department of Communication at Saint Xavier University in Chicago where she has worked since 2003. In addition to teaching courses in the Strategic Communication major, she is the Director of the Basic Public Speaking Course Program. Cyndi was the 2022 Faculty Mercy Mission Award Honoree.

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Cheryl Weiss

Treasurer

Cheryl Weiss has worked at BMO Bank for over 35 years. She has held various roles in both front line and back office, as well as regional and district management roles. She currently works as a Project Manager.

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Sheryl Wabi

Secretary

Sheryl Wabi is a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway Biros Real Estate. Using her extensive knowledge, patience, flexibility, and low pressure sales approach, Sheryl has successfully grown her business consistently thanks to the repeat business of happy clients and their referrals of friends, family and neighbors.

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Olivia Fox

Director

Olivia Fox, Transplant Outreach Coordinator at UI Health, is a dedicated healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in organ donation and transplantation patient advocacy and support. Olivia has worked tirelessly to empower individuals and families facing lifesaving decisions. Her passion for multicultural community outreach and support for young people aligns perfectly with the Maddog Strong Foundation's goals. In addition, Olivia is the daughter of a kidney transplant recipient.

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Robert Horsey

Director

Robert Horsey is a critical care registered nurse who has dedicated most of his twenty-one year career to the field of Organ Donation and Transplantation.

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Julie Mills

Director

A passionate, results driven healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience in a variety of Critical Care and TeleHealth settings, Julie brings a clinical and technology perspective to the foundation. She is a recent recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and is an organ and tissue donor family member.

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Addison Piel

Student Director

Jamie-Skvarla

Jamie Skvarla

director

Jamie Skvarla is a current student at Governors State University majoring in Biology. She plans on using her biology degree to pursue a career in physical therapy. Jamie is also an athlete at her school, playing for their Women’s Volleyball team. Her drive and dedication for the activities she is involved in brings great qualities and encouragement to those around her.

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Dr. Jaime Van Buskirk, PT, DPT, COMT, ATC

Director

A prominent figure in the Chicago area health, wellness and fitness industry, Jaime has a strong background in independent business and leadership as well as clinical operations. Her clinical knowledge and business acumen will be very helpful to the organization. Jaime is also a donor family member.

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Jim Vogel

director

Jim Vogel has over 25 years of experience in digital consulting, strategic thought leadership, and technology project management, and is currently the VP of Solution Engineering at Bounteous. Jim is also a cornea recipient.

Team Members

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Frank Grobmeier

Executive Director

Frank Grobmeier has held senior executive level sales and marketing positions for international lighting companies for the past 30 years. He is currently the owner and CEO of Red Mouse Media. He’s been a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, changing the way that organizations think about their brands and messaging in disruptive environments. Frank has held leadership posts on numerous advisory boards, published editorial columns for magazines and newsletters, and has been honored with numerous service awards for leadership and dedication.

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Sam Grobmeier

Director of Communications and Founder of Students for H.O.P.E.

Sam Grobmeier is a producer and performing artist with a passion for merging her advocacy and art together. She holds a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MBA from Saint Xavier University. She has a working background in the non-profit world, video media production, public service scriptwriting, social media management, documentary films, and event coordination.