Feed the Cause

What to Expect

An unforgettable evening of purpose, inspiration, and connection

• Delicious chef demos + open bar
• Stories from families and providers affected by PFD and ARFID
• Silent auction + entertainment
• Beautiful views of the Papago Golf Course and downtown Phoenix skyline

Attire is business casual or cocktail dress.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, educator, donor, or parent you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how PFD and ARFID impact children, and how you can be part of the solution.

If you are coming in town for this event, check out our Staff Guide to Phoenix for some suggested places to stay and things to do.

Meet our Emcee, Kristy Siefkin

Kristy Siefkin has spent nearly 20 years in front of a microphone and camera, broadcasting on networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, Animal Planet and Discovery.

Combining her skills as an Emmy-recognized storyteller and Duke University psychology research nerd, Kristy teaches executives and teams how to master the three keys to persuasive communication: mindset, messaging, and delivery.

Kristy has helped thousands of experts interview confidently on national media; deliver pitches and presentations that close record-setting deals; and get the standing ovation that makes every person want to do business with them. Companies like HP, Zions Bank, Thermo Fisher, Goodwill and Cloudflare trust Kristy to train their talent.

As a keynote speaker and emcee, Kristy has taken a wide variety of stages: from Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, to the Healthcare Financial Management Association, to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to ASM Semiconductor.

When she’s not speaking, coaching or training, you’ll find Kristy road tripping with her feisty Norwich Terrier, “Poppy Monsoon.”

Meet our Event Chair, Dr. Lisa Bienstock

We are thrilled to have Dr. Lisa Bienstock chair this year’s event!

Dr. Lisa Bienstock is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and currently serves as Vice President of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners. She is the Associate Director of NYU Langone’s Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry program in Phoenix and the proud owner of two thriving private practices dedicated to creating positive, prevention-focused dental experiences for children.

A graduate of Columbia University/NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Center’s prestigious Pediatric Dentistry residency program, Dr. Bienstock has held hospital privileges at Phoenix Children’s Hospital since 2013. Beyond the clinic, she is a passionate educator, national speaker, and philanthropist, with a growing presence on social media where she shares oral health tips (and plenty of real-life parenting humor) on platforms like TikTok and IG. Most recently, she did a commercial for Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste.

But Dr. Bienstock’s proudest title? Mom. She and her husband—her biggest supporter and partner in all things—are raising three amazing kids: a curious toddler, a spirited grade-schooler, and a wise-beyond-his-years teen. Life at home is joyful chaos, filled with family dance parties, sticky fingers, and endless laughter.

When she’s not practicing dentistry or mentoring the next generation of pediatric specialists, Dr. Bienstock recharges by traveling, listening to audiobooks while running on her treadmill, and treating herself to the ultimate indulgence: a Dairy Queen Blizzard with Oreos and cookie dough. (Trust her—it’s the perfect combo.)

Dr. Bienstock brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of hustle to everything she does—and she’s on a mission to help children thrive through comprehensive, compassionate and innovative care.

Meet our Family Presenters, Talia and Jason Laughter

From the Navajo nation and living in the greater Phoenix area, Jason and Talia are parents to five incredible children. Together they embrace the joys and challenges that come with raising a family. Talia and Jason’s youngest child faces feeding challenges related to a diagnosis of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). Their journey led them to the Feeding Matters community through their pediatrician. They are deeply grateful for the support, resources, and information that Feeding Matters provides.

Meet our Visionary Awardee

Julie Sorrick, M.A., CCC-SLP earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kent State University in 1996. Following graduation, she gained diverse clinical experience working in hospitals (inpatient and outpatient), clinics, home-based private practice, and school settings.

In 2000, Julie and her husband relocated to Arizona, where she began working full-time in home-based therapy with the pediatric population. It was during this time that her passion for feeding therapy emerged.
In 2003, Julie founded her own private practice in the Ahwatukee area, offering speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy. Her vision was to build a team of skilled therapists who value both personal well-being and a shared commitment to helping children and families reach their fullest potential.

Recognizing a growing need for specialized feeding support, Julie launched Comfort Feeding Clinic in 2007. The clinic was established not only to meet the increasing demand for pediatric feeding therapy, but also to provide therapists with opportunities for advanced training in this specialized area.
Today, Comfort Feeding Clinic operates out of two fully equipped kitchens designed specifically for families, located within Desert Valley Pediatric Therapy’s Ahwatukee and Gilbert clinics. The clinic’s approach is grounded in the four domains of Pediatric Feeding Disorder, with a strong emphasis on comprehensive training and development for feeding therapists.

Meet our Musicians

Diana Yusupov
Diana Yusupov began playing the cello at age eight and was accepted into the Advanced Performer’s Program at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music at fifteen, studying under renowned cellist and teacher Markus Stocker. During her Bachelor’s studies, she received two Piatti Awards, the Basil Jones Sonata Prize, and the Bach Prize, and appeared in masterclasses with Jian Wang, Peter Bruns, and Steven Isserlis.

In 2016, Diana moved to Arizona, where she earned her Master’s and DMA degrees in the studio of Dr. Theodore Buchholz at the University of Arizona. For four years, she was a member of Quartet Lyrique, performing in concerts, festivals, and competitions across the United States, as well as in Canada and China. The quartet was awarded second prize in the 2018 MTNA Chamber Music Competition and was selected as fellows for Stanford University’s summer program in 2019. That same year, Diana won the LMC of Seattle Competition, leading to a solo concert tour throughout Western Washington.

Currently based in Phoenix, Diana serves as Director of Orchestras at BASIS Chandler. She is a member of the Tucson-based True Concord Orchestra, whose latest recording was Grammy-nominated in 2024. Diana also regularly performs as a soloist throughout the Phoenix area and runs a music entertainment business that provides live music for corporate functions and private events.

To find out more, visit www.dianayusupovcello.com

Hsin-Chih Chang
Born and raised in Taiwan, Hsin-Chih Chang moved to New York City in 2012. She earned her Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music, where she worked as a staff piano accompanist. She then taught in New York and Illinois before moving to Tucson in 2017. Since then, Chang has performed at the Tucson Brass Workshop, AZ. Como Con Concert, T6CALO Tucson Festival, Arizona Choral Educators Choral Festivals, Northern Arizona University Vocal Jazz Madrigal Festival, the University of Arizona Double Reed Day, and many others. Currently, she is the accompanist at Congregation Beil Simcha and is employed as the OMA Arts Integration Specialist at Tucson Unified School District.