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Meet the Team
Kate Hall-Harnden
Co-Founder
President
B.S. Exercise Science
Kate Hall-Harnden was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 10. She took control from day one when she told the nurse that she was going to give herself her first-ever shot of insulin. Kate was never afraid of having diabetes and all that it entailed, but instead, she was afraid of it stopping her from doing what she loved most, sports. From that moment on, Kate turned fear into motivation and she knew that she wasn’t going to let diabetes get in the way of anything. Kate did everything that she could from a young age to control her diabetes so that she could try to not only live a normal life but also accomplish her goal of someday becoming an Olympian. Kate went on to set the national high school and American junior record in the long jump, became a 2x NCAA Division I champion, USA Indoor champion, and made the U.S. Olympic Trials final in 2016. By taking control and not letting diabetes stop her from anything, Kate is working towards her goal of becoming an Olympian every single day.
After the 2020 Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19, Kate tore her ACL while training for her first competition of 2021. This devastating injury delayed Kate’s dream of becoming an Olympian and required her to get surgery and undergo extensive rehab for several months. Instead of letting this injury get her down, Kate decided to take that time and pursue another passion of hers that is just as important to her as her track and field career. Kate Hall-Harnden and her partners started the DiaStrong Foundation to help other diabetics take control of their lives and not let anything get in the way of accomplishing their dreams.
Tyler Harnden
Co-Founder
B.S. Marketing
Director of Marketing
Tyler Harnden is an Army Veteran with a background in marketing and sales who aims to close the knowledge gap in the diabetic community and be a viable resource for those in a supportive role. Tyler plays a pivotal role in the marketing department and is a Co-Founder of Diastrong.
After attending numerous diabetic conventions and speaking events, Tyler realized that not only were diabetics struggling with gathering correct information about daily life and mental/physical health, but they were struggling to meet the financial hardships that accompany the disease. This was essential in his decision to Co-Create a foundation to help put an end to such things. Through DiaStrong, Tyler plans on creating a healthier and happier Diabetic community.
Kendall Spencer, J.D.
Board Member
Consultant and Strategic Planner
Caroline Sweeney
Board Member
Advocacy & Awareness
B.S. Clinical Dietetics
Caroline Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Dietetics from Syracuse University. After her eldest son, Aidan, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at age 22 months, her career focus quickly shifted from nutrition to fighting for a cure for T1D. Caroline chaired Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Advocacy in Maine for more than a decade, traveling to Capitol Hill to meet with senators and representatives on the importance of federal funding for T1D research. Her efforts helped secure a multi-year renewal of The Special Diabetes Program which provides $150 million annually towards T1D research. She has testified before Congress, appeared on both television and radio promoting T1D awareness, and volunteered at many local T1D events. She has been honored to receive JDRF Advocacy’s Rookie Of The Year Award, Special Diabetes Program Award, and Judith and Walter Havenstein Cure Champion Award. A former scholarship rower, Caroline looks forward to joining the DiaStrong team, helping all those living with T1D achieve their dreams while enjoying and living their best lives. Caroline resides in Gray, Maine with her husband, three teenagers, and two dogs.
Chris Pribish
Board Member
Sports Performance and Fitness Specialist
L-ATC, CSCS, CSAC
Chris’ professional background includes over 15 years’ experience of personal training with individuals of all ages and skill sets, which also includes 8 years of experience with Saco Bay Physical Therapy, designing and implementing orthopedic rehabilitation exercise protocols. Chris began managing and operating the Medically Oriented Gym in 2011 and developed an individualized, data driven approach to health and fitness, bridging the gap between physical therapy and personal training. While managing the M.O.G., he developed and managed multiple hospital employee wellness programs. Chris became majority owner of the M.O.G. LLC. in 2015 and rebranded the business as the United Medical Gym South Portland. In Jan 2018, Chris added Momentum Performance for sport specific training. He has trained many elite athletes who have become State and National champions and State, National and World Record holders. Chris currently is the full-time coach to American Professional Track and Field Champion Kate Hall. Chris has been a guest speaker on numerous health and performance topics nationally. He has contracted with The University of Georgia Track and Field team to perform evaluations and create corrective exercise prescriptions prior to their first ever National Championship Season. Chris is a consultant and shareholder of the wearable technology company Kinaptics in which he is a co-inventor of multiple health related patents.
Lee Goldberg
Board Member
Promotion, Event Planning, Partnerships
Lee Goldberg is the co-anchor of NEWS CENTER Maine's Morning Report.
Lee Goldberg joined NEWS CENTER Maine in 1993 as Sports Director at WLBZ 2 in Bangor. In his years at NEWS CENTER Maine, Lee has covered some of the biggest stories in New England sports history, including seven Super Bowls and three World Series. Lee was on hand when the Patriots won Super Bowls in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2015 and 2017. He was also there to witness the Red Sox's incredible comeback against the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, and their subsequent World Series victory. Lee was also in Denver when the Sox beat the Rockies for the World Series title in 2007 and at Fenway Park for the Sox's Series win in 2013.
Lee created and hosted the first HS Football wrap up show in Maine when the 5th Quarter was introduced in 1993. It continues to this day as the longest running HS Football wrap-up show in New England.
Lee's contributions to journalism in Maine have been recognized by the New England Emmy’s, Maine Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press, as well as the Maine Athletic Directors' Association, which has named him Media Person of the Year. Lee won the Readers Choice Best Local TV Sports Anchor award for DownEast Magazine in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.
Before coming to NEWS CENTER Maine, Lee was Sports Director at WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, West Virginia from 1991-1993.
In his spare time, Lee volunteers with the Maine Children's Cancer program, Sweetser, KIDS First, The Cromwell Center, The IRIS Network and others.
He lives in the Portland area with his wife, six sons, one daughter, four dogs and five cats.
About the Foundation
DiaStrong Foundation (DSF) was founded in 2021 to help diabetics from all over the country take control and accomplish all of their goals and dreams. We want every diabetic out there to know that they can not only live a normal life but thrive. DSF was created with three main pillars in mind: resources, education, and sport. Through these, we intend to create a healthier community and show you how to take control.
Vision
Create an educated, happy, and healthy diabetic community.