Karen Jordan

JDRF Northern California Board

JDRF International Board of Directors, Chair of Research Committee

Karen Jordan became involved with JDRF when her daughter Ali was diagnosed with T1D in 2008.  She is a member of the International Board of Directors, Chair of the Research Committee, and Vice Chair of the Funding Committee.  She serves on JDRF’s T1D Fund Board and the Northern California Chapter Board.  She is also a member of the Joint Steering Committee for the JDRF Northern California Center of Excellence at Stanford and UCSF.  She is the inaugural recipient of JDRF’s John Brady Award for Innovation.

Karen is Chair of the Stanford Medicine Community Council, serves on the Stanford Athletics Board and is the recipient of the Stanford University Governors’ Award.  She is also a board member of Stroke Onward.  Her previous non-profit work includes service on different boards including, among others, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Stanford GSB Alumni Association and the Portola Valley School District.  She was a member of the group who founded Summit Prep, a charter school profiled in Waiting for Superman.

Karen earned her B.A. in Economics-Business from UCLA and her MBA from the Stanford University GSB.  She has completed TPW’s year-long program on strategic philanthropy.  She has worked as an investment banker and with the Mayor’s Office in Los Angeles.

Chris Tapio

JDRF Northern California Board, Advocacy Team Chair

Chris Tapio became involved with JDRF when his son Nick was diagnosed with T1D. Chris currently serves as an Advocacy Team Chair for the JDRF Northern California Chapter, previously was an Advocacy District Champion for the chapter, and was formerly a JDRF Northern California Inland Chapter Board Member.  

Through Chris’ advocacy work with JDRF, he helps build and sustain critical support for T1D research funded by the Federal Government by raising awareness among Members of Congress of the financial, medical and emotional costs of the disease. He also works closely with our JDRF Advocates to ensure our T1D community has opportunities to use their voices to help secure continued Federal funding for important diabetes research, inform health and regulatory policy, and improve the quality of life for those affected by T1D – until we find a cure. 

Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from UC Davis. Chris’ professional background in legislation, strategy, and public affairs has helped us build strong relationships with our local Congressional Representatives.