Kate joined MDF as Special Projects Manager in April 2021. After serving as a MDF Gala Coordinator in a contract position during 2019 and 2020, she was struck by MDF’s strong community and opportunity for impact, and was moved to join the MDF team with the hopes of advancing our mission of Community, Care and a Cure. Kate will continue to coordinate the Annual Fundraising Gala, and will manage other special satellite projects such as the DM Research Map currently in development. Prior to joining the foundation, Kate lived and worked in Tokyo, Japan, as a JET English teacher and cultural ambassador and then in the music and entertainment industry. She is an LA native and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Music at the University of California, Santa Barbara.