We are pleased to announce that Nicole Friedland has joined the JDRF Greater Bay Area Chapter as our new Executive Director. In this role, Nicole will work closely with our staff, Executive Board and Branch Boards, our strong volunteer base, and our type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. She looks forward to leading the chapter’s mission-driven efforts to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.

“JDRF is an exceptional organization,” says Nicole. “With a clear and focused mission, it unifies the T1D community and creates the momentum needed to drive critical research advances. I was privileged to spend 14 years of my formative career at JDRF, and I am excited to rejoin the community for the next growth evolution of the Greater Bay Area Chapter.”

Nicole returns to JDRF after an eleven year absence. She began her career with JDRF in 1989 as an Administrative Assistant and was quickly promoted to Special Events Coordinator. She left briefly to work at the American Heart Association only to be recruited back to serve for six years as JDRF’s Western Region Walk Manager and Associate National Field Manager. In 1999 Nicole became Executive Director of the Greater Bay Area Chapter and held that role until 2004. Under Nicole’s leadership, the chapter annual revenue grew from $2 million to $6 million. She led major gift acquisition to an individual gift level of $5 million. She grew the staff, further developed the boards, expanded the volunteer engagement structure, and facilitated an increased and enhanced JDRF community presence. It was no surprise when Nicole was selected as “National Staff Member of the Year” in 2001.

During Nicole’s time away from JDRF, she lived abroad and upon her return to the Bay Area ventured into raising dollars and awareness for direct need in developing countries through organizations such as Seva Foundation and ReSurge International (formerly Interplast). Nicole has spent the last few years as the West Division President for the National Kidney Foundation.

“JDRF is thrilled that Nicole is ‘returning home’ to lead the Greater Bay Area Chapter,” says Larry Meisner, JDRF Regional Director, West Region. “Nicole steered transformational change for the Chapter, coalescing the community with the mission of JDRF in a very powerful way. To have her back at the helm is very exciting.”

Nicole hopes to reunite with old friends and meet many new members of the JDRF community at the upcoming Bay Area One Walks. Nicole can be reached at nfriedland@jdrf.org.