I have some news that I wanted to share with the wonderful Type 1 diabetes community in the Triangle/Eastern NC community. Our T1D community is so special to me and I have made so many wonderful friends throughout the years. In the last four years, our chapter has increased revenues every year, enabling JDRF to fund exciting T1D research. After serving on the chapter board for almost five years and then becoming the chapters Executive Director in 2015, I will be transitioning to Fort Worth, TX to assume the role as Executive Director for the chapter there starting in May of this year. Until that time, I will continue to work hard and passionately for all of you as we prepare for our upcoming Gala that we hope will again be our biggest one yet!

With that being said, it is with great excitement that I can announce that, starting May 6th, Sarah Cunningham, the chapters current Senior Development Manager, will become our chapters next Executive Director! Her strong ties to our T1D families, relationships with our corporate sponsors and major donors, and ability to throw impactful Walks and Gala’s has been evident for the past three years. Sarah, in March of this year, will celebrate her nine year anniversary with JDRF. During Sarah’s tenure, she has served in two chapters and has continued to grow professionally as her roles and responsibilities have increased. Additionally, she is asked to present on national fundraising calls to share best practices, she has served on national working groups and was handpicked in 2015 (and relocated temporarily to Seattle) to manage the Seattle Gala that raised $2.6 million dollars during an executive director vacancy and staff transition! Along the way, she has exhibited the talent and passion that JDRF is continually looking for to take us closer to the cure.

As noted above, this transition will take place in early May. Until then, the team and I will remain laser-focused on the gala and finishing another exceptional year! This chapter is in strong hands come early May as Sarah is going to do amazing things and the phenomenal team around her (Brynn, Annette, and Taylor) will be a force in the JDRF landscape for years to come.