Jenna Medford of Breakthrough T1D On 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully Lead A Nonprofit Organization
Be clear on your mission and the why. One of the most important parts of running a nonprofit is understanding exactly what you’re working toward, what the shared goal is, and why it matters. For me, that clarity came when my daughter was diagnosed with T1D. Her diagnosis sparked my curiosity, and I began to research, learn, and adjust to a completely new way of life. With this new lifestyle, I was lucky to join Breakthrough T1D as someone who understands. That personal connection gave me a deeper understanding of the Breakthrough T1D mission and a strong sense of purpose.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenna Medford.
Jenna Medford is the Chapter Director of the Greater Austin Chapter for Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). Medford’s work at Breakthrough T1D has helped raise funds in Southern Texas to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care. She started as a development assistant, helping families with loved ones who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to cover medical expenses and receive community support. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage children, traveling, listening to live music, and watching Longhorn football!
Thank you so much for doing this with us. Before we begin, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? Can you tell us the story behind why you decided to start or join your non-profit?
Something I always keep in mind is “why.” I always knew I wanted to help people and make a difference in the world, so working in an industry that helped me do that was my goal.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a nurse. This was my dream from a young age, so I went to school at the University of Texas to follow my dreams and pursue nursing. Specifically, I wanted to work in the NICU to help take excellent care of new moms and newborns who needed help.
When the time came to it, I applied for nursing school with big dreams (twice), and I didn’t get in. But I kept at it as an aspiring nurse, and I decided to stay close to the medical field. I became a clinical supervisor at Austin Retina Associates, and even though it wasn’t the path I initially expected in college, I still felt greatly fulfilled within the medical field.
After ten years at Austin Retina, I resigned when my four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It felt like my whole world shifted, and questions started flooding my mind. How can I best care for my daughter with this new discovery? How can I give her the best life? What can I do as her mother?
Just when I felt overwhelmed by the emotions and possibilities of my daughter’s diagnosis, I received a phone call from a volunteer at Breakthrough T1D. The person on the other line was the grandmother of a five-year-old who lived with type 1 diabetes, just like my daughter. She volunteered her time at Breakthrough T1D to help other families going through similar situations and recent diagnoses of type 1 diabetes. Receiving that phone call was a saving grace for me. I spoke on the phone with her for 45 minutes, and she listened to me as I expressed my frustrations, questions, feelings, and more. She assured me that everything would be okay. From that moment, I knew I had to keep this organization close to my heart. I began getting involved, attending Breakthrough T1D events to talk to those who actually get it, and getting closer to the people who volunteered and worked there.
A year later, I started to work at Breakthrough T1D as a development assistant. My hope was that I could give T1D parents the same kind of call that the nice volunteer gave me. I wanted to be a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, and a resource for anyone who needed it.
I’ve been at Breakthrough T1D ever since (2019), and I’m now the Chapter Director of the Greater Austin Chapter. I’m grateful for every single person in this community and won’t stop fundraising and spreading awareness until we find the cure to restore the body’s ability to make insulin and stop T1D before it occurs.
Can you describe how you or your organization aims to make a significant social impact?
Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 1970 by two moms whose loved ones had been diagnosed with T1D. The organization serves as outreach support for families nationwide living with T1D, advocates for public policy, and invests in research to turn promising ideas into life-changing therapies and cures.
As the Chapter Director of the Greater Austin Chapter, I know my job impacts many people whose family lives are similar to mine. When my daughter was diagnosed with T1D, I felt overwhelmed until I received that phone call from Breakthrough T1D. Now, I try my best to do the same for others. By offering a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen, I know I’m helping families in our community feel understood and supported. I organize monthly coffee events where local families can meet up to discuss their T1D questions, swap T1D stories, or make friends with those who understand what they are going through. Breakthrough T1D is a close-knit community that lifts everyone up. We like to say it’s a club you never wanted to be a part of, but glad you’re in it now, and can’t imagine your life without it.
The Greater Austin Chapter also hosts two large fundraising events a year: A community walk that brings the community, families, and friends together in support of our T1D warriors, and a gala. These events aim to accelerate breakthroughs that lead to cures, prevent disease, and improve treatment options for those living with T1D.
It means so much to be making an impact on all the families in our community who live with T1D. I’m so proud of the work we do each day.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes! The most important thing is for T1D to have access to life-saving technology. In my work, I meet families who are doing everything right and still struggling to afford the technology that keeps their loved ones safe. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, and hybrid closed-loop systems aren’t luxuries; they are vital tools that prevent emergencies and save lives.
We also need policies and community programs that make these tools accessible to all, regardless of zip code or income. That includes working with schools, clinics, and insurance providers to remove barriers and support equitable care across Central Texas.
Furthermore, raising awareness and improving early detection are crucial. Many people still don’t know the warning signs of T1D until it is too late. Too often, diagnoses come after a trip to the ER for diabetic ketoacidosis — a terrifying and avoidable crisis. Through screening initiatives and better education, we can change that. Awareness saves lives, and it begins with conversations, school nurses, physicians, and community events where the T1D community knows they are not alone.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
As a Chapter Director for Breakthrough T1D, I define leadership as the ability to unite people around a shared mission and to turn hope into action. For me, leadership isn’t just about managing programs or hitting goals. It’s about creating space for others to lead, lifting up the voices of those most impacted by type 1 diabetes, and constantly asking, “How can we do better?”
My role in leadership is to connect families and build the T1D community in the Greater Austin area. My number one priority as a leader is to bring researchers, families, volunteers, donors, and healthcare providers together to promote a close-knit community of people that lift each other up. T1D doesn’t take any days off, so neither can the Breakthrough T1D community. I pride myself on showing the community that we can get through it together and make progress as a group.
Ultimately, my goal is to make sure every person affected by T1D in our region feels seen, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves; something that’s actively working toward a cure.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things A Person Should Know Before They Decide To Start A Non Profit”. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Be clear on your mission and the why.
One of the most important parts of running a nonprofit is understanding exactly what you’re working toward, what the shared goal is, and why it matters. For me, that clarity came when my daughter was diagnosed with T1D. Her diagnosis sparked my curiosity, and I began to research, learn, and adjust to a completely new way of life. With this new lifestyle, I was lucky to join Breakthrough T1D as someone who understands. That personal connection gave me a deeper understanding of the Breakthrough T1D mission and a strong sense of purpose.
2. Yes, non-profits require a degree of passion, but it is still a business and must be run as such.
I’ve found that many people believe passion alone is enough to run a successful nonprofit. While passion is essential, it’s only one part of the equation. At the end of the day, a nonprofit is still a business. It requires strong management, accountability to a board of directors, and strategic planning.
3. Fundraising will be constant.
Just as one event wraps up, planning for the next is already well underway. Whether it’s our annual gala, our Fund-A-Cure initiatives, community walks, or local meetups, each fundraiser requires a strategy. We pride ourselves on our genuine care for T1D, so fundraising is at the center of all we do. It’s what we focus on for a large part of the year, and it’s what keeps us going as an organization.
4. Building trust takes time.
Trust is earned through consistency, transparency, and genuine community relationships. Be ready for the long game.
5. Non-profits require a strong and committed team.
The right team and the ability to inspire and lead them are the keys to leading a nonprofit. The most important part of my chapter is my team and the way they lead the community to success. Without my team, we wouldn’t be able to raise money, build strategies for the organization, or bring in new families with T1D. Having a team that supports you and has the same amount of passion for your organization is crucial.
Is there a prominent leader or a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non profit?
Fred Turner, the CEO and Co-Founder of Curative Health Care, has built a reputation for moving quickly and thinking boldly — two things that resonate deeply with us at Breakthrough T1D. His work at Curative, especially during the pandemic, showed what’s possible when innovation meets execution in healthcare. Now, with Curative shifting into preventive care through an insurance model that removes barriers and increases early engagement, I can see how this aligns with Breakthrough T1D, looking to improve the lives of those living with T1D.
At Breakthrough T1D, we’re not just funding research — we’re pushing to bring screening and prevention tools to families before diagnosis ever happens. Fred understands what it takes to reach the community and rethink access. A conversation with him could spark ideas around accelerating our impact, especially when it comes to early detection, affordability, and health equity. I think there’s real power in joining forces with people who are challenging the system in smart, human-centered ways.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson” Quote? How is that relevant to you in your life?
This is a quote that I presented to our Chapter staff team: “Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships” — Michael Jordan. At Breakthrough T1D, we achieve our greatest successes because people come together around a shared purpose, support one another, and move in unison toward a common goal: to improve the lives of those living with T1D and to create a world where one day no one has to live with this disease.
How can our readers follow you online?
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to stay in the loop with Breakthrough T1D events and other initiatives! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-medford-668a29107/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your mission.
Jenna Medford of Breakthrough T1D On 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully Lead A Nonprofit… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.