About NF Forward
Who We Are
Dan and Jennifer Gilbert have been passionate advocates in the fight to end NF since their oldest son, Nicolas, was born with NF1. They have been long-time supporters of NF research initiatives at the Children’s Tumor Foundation, Children’s National Health System and the University of Alabama Birmingham. They established the Gilbert Family Foundation in 2015 to further advance their NF research efforts.
In 2017, the Gilberts established NF Forward, a nonprofit 501c3 organization. It shares a vision with the Gilbert Family Foundation to eradicate NF by funding groundbreaking, cutting-edge NF research. NF Forward strives to raise awareness about NF among a wide range of individuals and invite their support of this innovative vision.
NF Forward’s signature event is the beNeFit, a major gala held at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit every November. Since 2013, beNeFits I-XII raised almost $75 million for NF research and attracted more than 1,700 supporters annually to join the fight to end NF.
Today, we mourn the loss of Nicolas “Nick” Gilbert. Nick was an optimist, and his bright outlook and humor touched all those who had the privilege to know him. We will continue to work tirelessly toward finding a cure for NF with the same passion that Nick approached every day of his life. To honor the memory of Nick Gilbert, visit our tribute page.
What We Do
NF Forward funds NF research with audacious, high-reaching goals to bring us closer to a cure for NF. NF Forward focuses on three major areas:
- Co-funding pioneering research alongside the Gilbert Family Foundation. Projects include:
- Vision Restoration Initiative – Inspired by Nick’s loss of vision as a result of an optic nerve tumor caused by his NF, a consortium of twelve top researchers works to regenerate the optic nerve and develop first-in-kind vision restoration therapies.
- Gene Therapy Initiative – Since NF is a genetic disease, the search for a ‘cure’ will focus on replacing, repairing or otherwise addressing the mutated gene. A network of nine outstanding researchers pursues the most promising strategies.
- Supporting innovative work of NF organizations such as the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a national organization funding broad-based NF research and advocating for the NF community.
- Fostering the creation of critical research tools needed to advance breakthrough science.
NF Forward accepts applications for support by invitation only.
Board of Directors & Officers
Jennifer Gilbert
President and Board Member
Matt Rizik
Secretary, Treasurer, and Board Member
Jeff Morganroth
General Counsel, Rock Family of Companies
Jennifer Gilbert
President and Board Member
With more than 20 years of experience in interior design, Jennifer Gilbert has evolved her expertise to serve as the Founder and Creative Director of Detroit-based POPHOUSE, a commercial design firm specializing in utilizing data and industry research to provide cutting-edge workplaces for clients across a broad spectrum of industries.
In 2015, Jennifer founded Amber Engine, a home furnishings services and solutions technology company. Amber Engine’s mission is to provide the most accurate, complete and timely record of product data for the $275B industry through its easy-to-use, flexible and affordable cloud-based SaaS solutions.
Prior to Amber Engine, Jennifer founded Doodle Home, a digital platform for residential interior designers. Doodle Home was sold to Dering Hall in 2015.
Jennifer is active with a number of nonprofits focused on the arts, Jewish causes and finding a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). She is President of NF Forward, Chair of the Cranbrook Academy of Art Board of Governors and serves on the board of the Detroit Institute of Art. Jennifer founded the Detroit Art Collection to beautify and inspire public spaces and structures in downtown Detroit with sculptural and mixed media works from local, as well as national artists, galleries and dealers.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design at Michigan State University. She resides in the Detroit area with her husband, Dan, and their family.
Matt Rizik
Secretary, Treasurer, and Board Member
Matthew J. Rizik is the Chief Tax Officer at Rock Ventures LLC, the for-more-than profit organization formed to strategically vet and pursue opportunities, align interests and provide key services to Dan Gilbert’s Family of Companies and other investments. Matt has responsibility for Gilbert’s Family of Companies tax method and compliance efforts as well as providing his expertise in the areas of financial planning, philanthropic giving, legal structure and tax compliance. Matt is also a Board Member for Rocket Companies.
Matt came to Rock Ventures after a successful career with PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC). In his 31 years with the firm, he worked with high wealth individuals and established a professional sports and entertainment practice. He developed a specialization in major automotive corporate work and served as the General Motors Global Relationship Partner, the Ford Motor Company Global Tax Partner and the Ford Estates Lead Tax Partner. Prior to PwC, Matt served in various tax positions with Coopers & Lybrand.
He is active in the Detroit community and serves on the boards of Motown Museum Legacy Council, City Year, Gilbert Family Foundation, and NF Forward.
Matt earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. He is an active business professional in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.
Matt was born in Flint, and currently resides in Birmingham, Michigan with his three children.
Jeff Morganroth
General Counsel, Rock Family of Companies
Jeff is the General Counsel of Rock Ventures LLC and General Counsel of Rock Holdings Inc. Jeff also is chief outside litigation counsel for Dan Gilbert and the FOC through his law firm, Morganroth & Morganroth, PLLC, which he formed in January 1989 with his father, Mayer Morganroth.
Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in English Literature from The University of Michigan with Distinction, and his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, Cum Laude, where he also was a member of Law Review as an Associate Editor for The Tax Lawyer. Jeff has been successfully representing Dan Gilbert and many companies within the FOC as chief outside litigation counsel for the past 15 years. Jeff started the additional role as General Counsel of Rock Ventures in September 2019 and the additional role as General Counsel of Rock Holdings in March 2020. Jeff’s approach to his representation of Dan and the FOC is to fight for what is right, protect their interests and win.
When Jeff is not practicing law, he enjoys golf, tennis, skiing, watching sports, music and traveling with his wife and two daughters.
Meet The Team
Kayleigh Roy
Director
Alexis Weisbrod
Program Manager, beNeFit
Justin Burkett
Program Manager, The Gilly Project
Hanna Anderson
Associate Operations Manager
Kayleigh Roy
Director
Kayleigh has been with the NF Forward Team since its inception in 2017. Today she serves in the role of Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations, event management, and long-term planning for the organization. In addition to her role at NF Forward, Kayleigh supports the Gilbert Family Foundation as the Director of Operations, overseeing grants and operations activities. In her role, Kayleigh works closely with The Gilly Project, the Gilbert Family Foundation, and the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute to cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with grantees and the NF Community. Prior to her time with NF Forward, Kayleigh served in a grants management role at the Quicken Loans Community Fund (now Rocket Community Fund). Prior to joining the Family of Companies, she supported urban development research at the Virginia Department of Transportation. Kayleigh graduated from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture with a degree in Urban and Environmental Planning. Outside of work, Kayleigh can be found behind her sewing machine, creating a gown for the next beNeFit gala.
Alexis Weisbrod
Program Manager, beNeFit
Alexis joined NF Forward in 2024, coming from a background of extensive event management and fundraising experience. Alexis is responsible for managing NF Forward’s annual gala, beNeFit, which raises awareness and critical funds for NF research. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Alexis prides herself on ethical approaches to fundraising and has great respect for the Metro Detroit philanthropic community, which inspires her year-after-year as it lifts Detroit and its surrounding communities. Alexis holds a certificate in Non-Profit Management and a credential in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Fundraising. Prior to joining the Family of Companies, Alexis held positions at Cranbrook Educational Community, with a focus on support for the Academy of Art and Art Museum. and the Jewish non-profit ORT America. Before transitioning to the non-profit sector, Alexis pursued a BFA in Dance Performance and PhD in Dance Studies. Her research on competitive dance in the United States can be found in The Oxford Handbook of Dance and the Popular Screen.
Justin Burkett
Program Manager, The Gilly Project
Justin joined the NF Forward Team in 2024 as the Program Manager for the Gilly Project, an organization with the goal of honoring the life of Nick Gilbert, spreading awareness around Neurofibromatosis (NF), and inspiring the next generation of NF Forward supporters. He oversees the day-to-day management of The Gilly Project social media and key initiatives related to fundraising and awareness. Additionally, Justin works closely with the NF Forward team to develop long-term strategies for fundraising and philanthropic storytelling. Prior to joining the Family of Companies, Justin spent seven years as a Project Coordinator/Alumni Relations Officer at Michigan State University where he developed and managed University events. Prior to MSU, Justin was an Account Executive for the Lansing Lugnuts, where he managed client relationships, sales, and marketing efforts. Justin graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Sport Management and Economics. Outside of work, Justin enjoys staying active by running marathons, playing golf, and exploring the great outdoors with his significant other and their dog, Luca.
Hanna Anderson
Associate Operations Manager
Hanna originally joined the NF Forward team in 2022 as the beNeFit intern. She now manages the organization’s technology platforms including data integrity, payment processing, and day- to- day operations. Hanna brings skills in attention to detail, adaptability, and a process centric mindset to all aspects of NFF operations and beNeFit event planning. Hanna has an Elementary Education degree from the University of Michigan with concentrations in Math and Social Studies as well as a certificate in Trauma Informed Practice. Hanna’s background in non-profit includes working with SandCastles Grief Support Program alongside her mother. In her free time, Hanna loves to go to the beach and read a good book while she pursues her yearly reading goals.