Dr. Nadine Ann Skinner joined MDF in January 2020, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in program and grants management, fundraising, and research and program evaluation at a range of community-based organizations, government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and international organizations. A global health and higher education researcher, she has contributed to the Stanford Center for Health Education’s Digital Medic initiative and Stanford’s Global Civil Society and Sustainable Development Lab. Nadine also teaches courses on research, evaluation, globalization, international development, human rights, and education at Cornell, San José State, and Stanford. She holds a PhD in International Comparative Education from Stanford, a MPA from Cornell with a focus on Social Policy, and a BA in Politics and History from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

In April of 2025, Dr. Skinner expanded her role at MDF to become our Director of of Evaluation & Research Programs.

Dr. Sofia Olmos joined MDF in January 2023 as the Myotonic Dystrophy Family Registry Coordinator. Sofia is passionate about patient advocacy, research and education and brings with her over fifteen years of experience in academia and the nonprofit sector. After completing her Ph.D. in Immunology back in Argentina, she moved to the U.S. to further her scientific training as a postdoctoral fellow working at Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, and New York University, New York, NY respectively. Always interested in having a more direct involvement in patient care communities and translating medical knowledge and research findings into population health improvement, Sofia switched out the laboratory for the nonprofit world. Her experience as a patient advocate at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) reinforced her interest in pursuing a career in a community-based organization and being part of a team with the common goal of helping people.

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.