Our Executive Board

Alyssa Valentine received her master's degree in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University in 2021 and was certified by the ABGC in the same year. Alyssa currently works as a cancer and cardiovascular genetic counselor at Cook County Health, Chicago’s safety net hospital, which serves a racially and ethnically diverse patient population that is predominantly under or uninsured. Alyssa is also actively involved with the Northwestern Genetic Counseling Program. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and the Illinois Society of Genetics Professionals (ISGP). Alyssa served as the ISGP Advocacy Committee chair in 2023. Her advocacy work with ISGP has been focused on increasing protections against genetic discrimination, getting genetic counselors recognized as providers with Illinois Medicaid, and improving the genetic counseling licensure process. 

Jelena earned her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University and was certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in 2021. Jelena is a genetic counselor in the Division of Neurology at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She has a special interest in neurogenetics and epilepsy. Jelena is an Instructor of Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a faculty member for Northwestern's Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling. She is also a member of ISGP's Symposium planning committee and NORD's Medical Professional Education work group.

Jessica received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from Kean University in New Jersey in 2022. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She works in the Cancer Institute at the Advocate Christ Medical Center. In her role, she counsels individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer and is involved in the center’s Hereditary Cancer Clinic, High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic, and Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic. Outside of her clinical role, she has an interest in Point-of-Care genetic testing in oncology, precision medicine, education, and research. Jessica is also a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and the ISGP Membership Committee.

Sarah graduated from the Northwestern University Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling and was board certified by ABGC in 2020. She is a pediatric genetic counselor at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Sarah has a clinical interest on Williams syndrome, aortopathies, and general genetics. In addition to her clinical roles, she is also an Instructor of Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a faculty member for the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling at Northwestern University. Sarah previously served as the Chair of the Advocacy Committee for ISGP prior to serving as President. She was the recipient of the 2023 ACMG Foundation Carolyn Mills Lovell Genetic Counselor Award and is passionate about expansion of genetic services to more patient populations. 

Breanne is a board-certified genetic counselor who earned her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University. Breanne is a clinical genetic counselor at Endeavor health where she sees patients for a variety of clinical indications including cancer, cardiovascular, and general adult and pediatric genetics. Her research interests include facilitators and barriers to genetic testing in underserved populations, alternative genetics service delivery models, and genetic discrimination. explored attitudes, facilitators, and barriers to genetic counseling and testing among Black males with prostate cancer. She is also actively involved with the Northwestern University Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling. Breanne is an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals (ISGP). She served as co-chair of the ISGP advocacy committee in 2024 and chair for 2025. Her advocacy work with ISGP has been focused on genetic discrimination protections, improving the genetic counselor licensure process, and expanding access to genetic services for Illinoisans.

Sara has 18 years of experience as a genetic counselor in the Chicagoland area, specializing in cardiovascular genetics for the past decade. Her wide range of experience allows her to provide comprehensive care for patients in her current role at the Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Sara's role is a combination of patient care, program development, and research. Her research interests include trends in cardiovascular genetics, access to genetic services, genetic privacy, and genetic discrimination. She finds great meaning in the advocacy work she is able to join through the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals (ISGP) and is an active member of multiple professional societies. Sara loves how her work combines science and patient care, and is passionate about providing excellent genetic counseling services to individuals and families.

Divya received her Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling from University of Minnesota in 2017. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Since 2017 she has been working at Advocate Christ Medical Center in prenatal, pediatric, and adult general genetics. She is active in the institution's pediatric ethics board and genomic medicine ethics committee. She is co-chair for NSGC's Neuromuscular SIG and has an interest in neurogenetics, SMA newborn screening, monogenic diabetes, and inpatient genetic services. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her lovebird Momo and is an avid fan of The Office