ABOUT
We give people the tools needed to live the life they want to live.
We refurbish used medical equipment that otherwise would end up in landfills. We provide it for free to those who need it most: those without insurance, who are underinsured or lack the finances to purchase the equipment they desperately need.
THE 4 IN D4D
When you see pictures of people who have been helped by D4D holding four fingers in the air, they are embodying the four tenets our organization was built on: independence, mobility, dignity and freedom.
mobility
Not being able to move about shrinks a person’s world to a tiny bubble. We provide used mobility equipment, such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs to enable people to expand their world and move through it securely.
independence
Access to medical equipment gives people the ability to participate in activities of daily living without having to rely on other people.
freedom
Being mobile and independent brings the freedom to set one’s own course in life and engage in activities that so many of us take for granted.
dignity
All people deserve the right to pursue their own dreams and be treated with dignity and respect.
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Devices 4 the Disabled
OUR FOUNDERS
Ed Kane
Founder emeritus
Ed Kane founded Devices 4 the Disabled in 2015. He succumbed to complications of ALS in September 2016. We continue in his spirit and we honor his memory, and he continues to inspire us.
Bob Shea
Founding Director
Board Member
Bob Shea is Co-Founder of D4D. In 2002, he was stricken with Guillian-Barre Syndrome and rendered a quadriplegic. He eventually recovered and is now devoted to helping others deal with illness and disability.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Jessica Corbus
executive Director
Jessica Corbus, PT, DPT, MOL enjoys working directly with individuals with disabilities and their families, helping to strengthen connections and communities through her work at Devices 4 the Disabled. A licensed physical therapist with decades of experience in clinical practice and academic leadership, she founded the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Kankakee Community College and later trained future clinicians as a Senior University Lecturer in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Governors State University. She served nine years on the Board of Directors of Options Center for Independent Living and collaborated with colleagues to facilitate an interdisciplinary stroke support group for survivors and their families.
Robbie Kuchler O'Shea
Director of Clinical Services
Robbie Kuchler O’Shea PT, DPT, PhD, HConductor recently retired from a long career of teaching at the Governors State University PT program. Robbie began her career at LaRabida Children’s Hospital. Over the course of her career she has worked in hospital, school, and early intervention settings. While teaching full time, she maintained a clinical practice working with 0–3-year-olds and their families. She has authored several textbooks, textbook chapters and articles. Robbie currently sits on the Board of Directors at the Center for Independence.
OUR BOARD
Nooshin Shahlari Bowman
CHAIR
Nooshin Shahlari Bowman is a committed and mission-driven professional with a background in chemical & biomedical engineering, management consulting, and nonprofit governance. A Senior Consultant at Deloitte, she is a recent MBA graduate of the Kellogg School of Management and brings a thoughtful, strategic lens to her work across sectors. For over five years, Nooshin has worked in Deloitte’s medical device practice, supporting leading companies with strategic transformation and growth initiatives. She also helped lead the firm’s national StepUp board, advancing pro bono, skills-based volunteering efforts that engage over 6,000 employees annually.
As a Kellogg Board Fellow, Nooshin worked closely with D4D – a project collaboration honored with the 2025 Golub Capital Board Fellows Impact Award. As Board Chair, Nooshin is shaping D4D’s vision for national growth and broader impact.
Ed Wehmer
VICE CHAIR
Ed Wehmer co-founded Wintrust Financial Corporation and, as President and CEO, grew it from a single bank in Lake Forest, Illinois, into one of the top 30 U.S. commercial banking institutions with 175 branches. He has served on boards for Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, Lurie Children’s Hospital, and the Archdiocese of Chicago, and participates in civic groups including the Economic Club of Chicago and the Commercial Club.
Ed brings his leadership and strategic expertise to D4D, guiding the Board and helping expand the organization’s impact for individuals with disabilities.
Concepcion (Connie) Favela
treasurer
Concepcion Favela is a clinic nurse for ACCESS which has 35 health centers throughout Chicagoland. She is a member of professional and service organizations. Connie has dedicated her career to working for health care nonprofits where she has served in a variety of leadership positions. She has won numerous awards for her work, both in this country and in service to the disadvantaged of her birth state – Durango, Mexico.
Lubia Suterwala
secretary
Lubia Suterwala, MPH. Lubia is a dedicated public health professional with more than ten years of experience in promoting health equity for underserved communities in Illinois. As the Manager of Community Public Health Outreach at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), she creates culturally tailored strategies to tackle health disparities and enhance equitable access to resources across the state. Previously, she led initiatives focused on racial health equity and community engagement at the Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI). Lubia holds both an MPH and a BA in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Brad Edwards
Board member
Brad Edwards co-founded the Chicago communications firm BE Media Inc. Before that, he earned recognition as one of the nation’s most awarded investigative reporters and news anchors at CBS Chicago. His Emmy-winning story in 2015 played a pivotal role in launching D4D.
Paul Juettner
Board member
Paul G. Juettner is a civil engineer and patent attorney. He holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Paul worked for Harza Engineering Company as an engineer while attending law school at night, and in 1981 was awarded a Juris Doctor degree with High Honors from the Chicago Kent College of Law. For more than 40 years, Paul practiced patent and trademark law, retiring from Greer, Burns & Crain, Chicago.
Paul has a longstanding commitment to community service, supporting several nonprofit organizations throughout his career. He served on the National Committee of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (2009–2014), was Treasurer of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago Educational Foundation (2016–2026), and currently serves as General Counsel for the Chicago Engineers Foundation. Whether picking up donated equipment or more recently serving on D4D’s Advisory Board, Paul has supported D4D in many meaningful years for many years. Outside of his service, Paul enjoys baseball, barbeque, and blues music.
Janeen Bolden-Born
Board Member
Janeen Bolden-Born has nearly two decades of experience as a board-certified neurological physical therapist, where she has driven positive change, championed equitable access, and improved outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Combining clinical excellence with a passion for teaching and mentorship, she serves as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Governors State University. In this role, she introduces students to D4D through experiential learning, helping future healthcare professionals understand real-world mobility challenges and the importance of community-based care. Janeen is also pursuing a Doctor of Health Sciences degree with dual certification in health professions education at the University of Indianapolis, further bridging clinical practice, education, and advocacy.
Outside the classroom and clinic, Janeen expresses creativity and joy as a professional Latin dancer. Through her leadership, mentorship, clinical insight, and commitment to service, she strengthens the Board of Directors, guiding strategic decisions and expanding D4D’s impact for the communities it serves.
Joel Heifitz
Board Member
Joel Heifitz is co-founder and CEO of Chicago-based Concept Laboratories, a leader in developing and manufacturing high-quality beauty, pain relief, and household products. Drawing from his own lived experience, Joel brings a unique perspective to Devices 4 the Disabled as a founding Board member. His commitment to innovation, equity, and community service has shaped both his business career and his role in advancing D4D’s mission.
As a leader, entrepreneur, and advocate, Joel ensures that the voices and needs of individuals with disabilities remain central to D4D’s growth and impact.
William Sullivan
Board Member
Bill Sullivan retired as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Purdue University at the end of December 2019, Prior to joining Purdue in 2014, Mr. Sullivan was the Chief Financial Officer of Prologis, the largest owner of industrial warehouses in the world, from March 2007 to May 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Sullivan served as CEO of Sitestuff, Inc. from 2001 to 2005, and Chairman from 2001 to 2007, at which time the company was sold. He spent 18 years at Jones Lang LaSalle / LaSalle Partners, the last 5 of which he served as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining LaSalle Partners, Mr. Sullivan spent 5 years at First Chicago and 3 years in public accounting for Ernst & Ernst.
Mr. Sullivan currently serves on the board of directors for JLL Income Property Trust, as well as Centerpoint Properties. He is also a director of the Western Golf Association (the sponsoring organization for the Evans Scholars program).
Mr. Sullivan holds an MBA degree from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and a B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University. He is married with four children.
Alex Pissios
Board Member
As the eldest son of Greek immigrants, Alex Pissios learned the value of working toward a goal at an early age. He worked his way through college and studied special education. In 2022, he found a career in real estate, where he met people who would become long-time friends and business partners.
In 2007, during the Great Recession and the real estate market collapse, Alex collaborated with his uncle, Nick Mirkopoulos, to open a film studio in Chicago. In 2010, they purchased 60 acres of the former Ryerson Steel complex in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood and embarked on a tireless, multi-year venture to transform the real estate assets into a modern film studio — Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.
The business is credited with revitalizing a depressed neighborhood, creating over 15,000 jobs, creating a diverse and inclusive industry in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, and bringing billions of dollars to the City and State.
Maria Silva
BOARD MEMBER
Maria Silva brings a lifetime of resilience, compassion, and lived experience to the Devices 4 the Disabled Board. A proud Chicagoan since 1980, Maria emigrated from Tijuana, Mexico at age 12, overcoming language barriers and family hardship to build a life dedicated to service, leadership, and advocacy. Her personal connection to D4D’s mission is profound: in 2018, her son suffered a spinal cord injury, and through her advocacy and care, she witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of mobility equipment on independence and dignity.
Maria draws on her experience as a caregiver, advocate, and mother to inform D4D’s programs, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the real needs of the people it serves. Her leadership, empathy, and commitment to access and opportunity strengthen the Board of Directors and help expand D4D’s impact in the community.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Tom McCabe
advisory Board Member
Thomas McCabe is Vice President/ Operations for Smith LaSalle Civil Engineers in Franklin Park and serves as the Village Engineer. Tom has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for over 35 years and started his current council. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he had officiated college football in the MidAmerican Conference for 15 years and he now uses that experience to officiate in the US Wheelchair Football League.
Esmeralda Zepeda
Advisory Board Member
Esmeralda Zepeda is a community leader with over 20 years of experience advancing equity and access through community-based organizations and programs that support families across the lifespan. Her work spans key areas including early childhood education, youth and adult education, housing stability, and health equity initiatives.
She has held executive and senior leadership roles with organizations including Catholic Charities, St. Joseph Services, Rincon Family Services, Erie Neighborhood House, and the Archdiocese of Chicago.
She brings a deep commitment to strengthening communities through collaborative, mission-driven work.
Nathan DeGodt
advisory Board Member
Nathan DeGodt, MHA. Nathan serves as the President and CEO of Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) and brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. He earned his BA from Texas Tech University and his MHA from The University of Southern California. In addition, Nathan has previously taught advanced degree courses as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Southern California-Sol Price School of Public Policy.
David C Vaughan CRTS, ATP
Advisory Board member
David C Vaughan has been an Adaptive Technology Professional since 2006 and has worked in the home health care industry since 1992. In 2007 he came to National Seating and Mobility as an ATP/ Branch manager and brought the branch from bottom five in revenue to the top five in just two years. He works exclusively with Marian Joy Rehab, Northwestern and Shirley Ryan Abilities lab.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Rosario
wAREHOUSE & Clinic
Misael
Warehouse & CLINIC
Mayra
Warehouse & clinic
Leesly
Community Outreach
