Motivated by her niece’s – Kelly Burk Nobbe – untimely death in 2009, Patti Geolat has created a national foundation to help prevent eating disorders (ED).
Our Mission: The Something for Kelly Foundation advocates, empowers, and raises awareness about eating disorders. Our goal is to serve individuals on the ED spectrum with an emphasis on youth and vulnerable communities.
PATTI J. GEOLAT
Although we knew that Kelly was battling this monster, we could not fathom that she could go to bed one night, after what seemed like a normal day, and not wake up. The Foundation has been established to prevent this tragic and needless loss from happening to other families.
Patti is founder and CEO of Geolat Companies, and a widely known authority on the appraisal and sale of fine jewelry. She is a published author and sought after public speaker with a distinguished reputation for excellence, confidentiality and professionalism. Patti has a Graduate Gemologist Degree from the Gemological Institute of America, is a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain. Patti’s professional affiliations include a 15-year term of service on the Board of Directors of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., the jewelry industry’s leading insurer, including nine as chairman, and a one-year term as the company’s interim CEO. Currently she serves on the boards of the North Texas Crime Commission, Jewelers’ Security Alliance and the Women’s Jewelry Association. Patti lives in Dallas, TX and travels the world extensively on behalf of her distinguished clients.
NANCY BURK
If we can touch just one person to help prevent this terrible disease, our Mission is complete.
Nancy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from SIU-Edwardsville and went on to a 40 year career in nursing in various specialties including ICU, Recovery Room and 20 years as a Cardio thoracic surgical nurse. She has recently cut back on her career to devote more time to SFK Foundation. She and her husband Randy live in the St. Louis Metro area and have 2 grown sons.
RANDY BURK
My hope is that the “Something for Kelly Foundation” will be an outreach for hope and insight for those suffering from eating disorders.
Randy Burk grew-up in the small college town of Lebanon, Illinois, located approximately 25 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. Randy pursued a career in environmental engineering, first, by obtaining a Bachelor of Science from the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in Environmental Systems and Biology, followed by a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science from the University of Cincinnati. Presently, Randy is a principal and vice-president of the multidiscipline engineering and surveying firm of TWM Inc., with offices in both the St. Louis Metropolitan and Metro-East regions. Randy is involved in several community regional volunteer programs, currently serving on a government regional infrastructure needs and assessment committee, as well as being involved as the president of the local school board and organizer of several charity fundraising events.
TERRY CHANDLER
I am honored to be asked to serve on the Something for Kelly board. The opportunity to work with Patti and her team on this important mission to help these children is humbling.
Terry is President/CEO of the Diamond Council of America, since 2001 and oversees the organizations day to day operations at their Nashville, Tennessee offices. During his tenure, the Diamond Council has grown from seventy members representing approximately twelve hundred stores to one of the industry’s leading education and training resources with over two hundred members representing over four thousand retail jewelry stores in the United States and Canada.
Before becoming DCA President, he served on the DCA board for twelve years. He is also a member of the DeBeers USA Carat Club and serves as a director on the Boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelers Charity Fund, and a board member of the 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States. Terry resides in Nashville, TN, with his wife Cindy.
CINDY VAVRIK
Something for Kelly is important for me because it deals with raising awareness about healthy body image at just the right age. As a mother of 3 daughters, I see it as an invaluable resource.
Cindy Vavrik is a Vice President and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley and has provided financial advice to clients for more than 25 years. As a former Private Bank executive, she has a wealth of experience working with high net worth individuals and families as well as private businesses, endowments and foundations. Cindy’s business focuses on helping clients prepare for life events such as retirement and generational wealth transfer. As a teacher in her prior career, she takes an active role in educating young people on their financial responsibilities. Cindy lives in Orlando Park, IL with her husband and daughters.
