top of page
  • GINA DILLON is the founder/executive director/official cheerleader of The Life Junkies. Gina has a B.A. in Community Studies and a M.A. in Critical & Creative Thinking from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Gina, a teen mom, spent several years in sales and marketing before moving on to follow her dreams in social innovation and enterprise. Gina's lofty life goals include a honorary Doctorate from a swanky ivy league school and to be on Dancing with the Stars. Gina lives in Scottsdale, AZ with her fabulous family.​
  • LAURA KOZAK is VP of Development for Grace Hill Settlement House in St. Louis. Laura has a B.A. in Theater and English from St. Louis University with a certificate in Women's Studies, and a MBA from Washington University St. Louis' Olin School of Business. If Laura were a TV show it would be called "Everyone Loves Laura" which explains her success in the field of non-profit development. Laura has a beautiful little girl, Vivi, and a lovable husband Csongor.
  • ​​​​​RENESSA CIAMPA BREWER is the principle designer of Ciampa Creative in Boston and a professor of graphic design in Boston. Renessa is a graduate of the New England Institute of Art and has a M.A. in Critical & Creative Thinking from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Renessa is the kind of person who rallies the troops — and every organization needs a troop rallier! Renessa is an active volunteer in women's issues and she lives in the Boston suburbs. ​​
  • HOWARD PODOLSKY is the Chairman of the Board. He is the Chief Medical Officer for Arizona Priority Care. Howard earned his M.D. in Internal Medicine from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo, a J.D. in Health Law at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo and an M.B.A from Washington University St. Louis' Olin School of Business. ​​​​​​​​​​Deemed an under-achiever by those who know him, Howard is constantly just hanging out doing nothing so we recruited him to use and abuse his beautiful mind. In Howard's downtime he likes to hole up in his office watch interactive weather minds.
  • NICOLE ​BRUNO has a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration (2012) from Arizona State University's School of Public Affairs​. Nicole is from Chandler, Arizona and works at Community Bridges  serving the community in substance abuse and mental health treatment. Nicole helped to create the student organization Woman As Hero at ASU wh​ich brings awareness to both women and human rights issues. Nicole is a graduate of the Center of Progressive Leaders Political Fellowship and is interested in using her influence  to end domestic violence/abuse and engage schools to establish teen dating violence programs. She hopes to form her own nonprofit addressing vocational rehabilitation barriers, social oppression and injustice; and to perhaps become an elected official serving Arizona’s communities that are in need of critical resources. If Nicole had some spare time she would love to do something fun, but until then she is content with changing the world.

Our Story

​​The Life Junkies began as a kernel of thought in 2003. It was originally a bright idea to address child abuse in the inner city of St. Louis. Poverty is stressful — and stress effects the decision-making process of fragile families. The first thought was to focus on more effective/longer-lasting methods of birth control. The second thought was to develop problem-solving skills. The third thought was to create a delivery system that resonated. And the fourth thought was — HEY! What a great way to empower people. This idea is so awesome we need to share it with everyone. And so, The Life Junkies was born.​

bottom of page