HomeFeaturesAZ Giving › AZ Giving Spotlight: Kathleen Rubi of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
 
 
 

As the new Executive Director for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Kathleen Rubi is making huge changes and a big difference. With her strong background in non-profit organizations, Rubi definitely has so much to offer the Valley. Check out her interview with AFM and why she is so excited to begin this new journey. 

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AFM: What does a typical day look like for you?

KR: A typical day involves juggling a lot of different priorities. My overall responsibility is to create an atmosphere for volunteers and staff to succeed in meeting the objectives of our mission.  Every day is different. I spend a lot of time with donors and researchers, and sometimes I get the opportunity to get to know some of the parents and children who live with Type 1 Diabetes. This morning I spent two hours with my staff mapping out the activities for the year and I will spend this afternoon with volunteer leadership strategizing. In a couple of weeks I will attend a camp designed to educate teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes on how to best manage the symptoms that come with this disease.  Every day with JDRF is pretty exciting!

AFM: Are there any events coming up so the Valley can help support the foundation?

KR: I am really excited about our upcoming premier fundraiser. The ONE NIGHT Gala will take place Nov. 8 and is themed as License to Cure. The event has become a can’t-miss signature experience in the Valley. It will all be in effort to support JDRF’s continued mission of turning Type One into Type None.

AFM:  What changes are you hoping to make in the next few months?

KR: I have only been in my role for one month so I am assessing everything.  Whatever changes I do decide to make, they will be positive and will meet the objectives of our mission.

AFM: What excites you the most about working at JDRF?

KR: Initiating change, making an impact, being a part of something ground-breaking – these are things that excite me in general and what keeps me motivated to work with non-profits. JDRF is the leading fundraiser in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and that drives me every day!  I enjoy being part of an organization that is making such huge strides in learning all we can about T1D and how we can improve the lives of those living with this disease.  T1D not only impacts the person living with it but also affects their family, spouse, and every part of one’s life; I’m thrilled that the research JDRF funds focuses on decreasing the burden of T1D until we reach a point where we completely eradicate it.  I recently had the opportunity to learn about some of the lifesaving technology that JDRF has played a role in developing and it is inspiring and truly overwhelming to see how much the technology out there improves the life of someone living with T1D.  I am most excited about being a part of an organization that does not waver from its mission and is making a difference today while striving to reach the ultimate goal of curing T1D.