Kleed joined MDF in 2018 as Program Associate to assist the Program and Development Directors with Patient Support and Education as well as various aspects of program research and content development, communications and fundraising. MDF's holistic approach to the issue of an uncured disease attracted Kleed to MDF, due to his desire to find meaningful work at an ethical and fast moving organization. In 2020 he became MDF's Communications & Technology Manager and then the Director of Communications & Technology in 2023. Prior to joining MDF, Kleed interned at the Investment Center of the United Nations Federal Credit Union in New York City. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business and Technology Management from New York University.

Mindy joined MDF in January 2023. As the Director of Programs, she leads MDF’s Community & Care initiatives. She is passionate about ensuring everyone affected by chronic and rare diseases have access to education, resources, and most importantly, community. Mindy brings 17 years of experience providing strategic program development, management, and leadership across uniquely challenging settings. Her background includes working in both academic medical center and non-profit settings, she brings an in-depth understanding of how research and data informs and elevates supportive and advocacy programming.

Mindy spent nearly a decade working in the rare cancer space with adolescents and young adults (AYA). Most recently, as the Director of Patient Programs, she led peer-to-peer support, educational, and psychosocial programming for people affected by sarcoidosis at the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. Mindy completed her BA from Portland State University in Community Health Education, and a post-graduate-certificate in biomedical ethics. Mindy is also a certified storytelling coach through Living Proof Advocacy. She lives between Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland, where she can always be found with her nose in a book.

Kevin Brennan, Principal of BlueBird Strategies, has served as the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation’s advocacy consultant since 2015. Working with the community, he has helped MDF increase federal funding for myotonic dystrophy research by $8.1 million over the past 5 years through congressional designation of myotonic dystrophy as an eligible condition under the Department of Defense Peer Review Medical Research Program (PRMRP). In 2017, MDF successfully advocated for Congenital DM to be included in the Social Security Compassionate Allowance program which helps individuals more quickly qualify for disability benefits including health insurance coverage. Kevin has also organized MDF U.S. Senate research briefings and testimony before the U.S. House Appropriations committee on NIH funding.

In 2022, in response to MDF advocacy, Congress included a provision in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill establishing the Repeat Expansion Disease Initiative (REDI) at the NIH which will increase DM research opportunities and we helped pass the first ever U.S. Senate resolution recognizing September 15th as International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. Prior to his work with MDF, Kevin held senior positions in Congress for members of the US House Appropriations and Energy & Commerce committees, led the Arthritis Foundation’s public policy and advocacy office, and worked in the global government affairs office at Amgen. His lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and three children.

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.