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Save the Date: Join us April 28 - May 2 for the 2027 MDF International Conference in Seattle, Washington!

IMPORTANT: Find all anesthesia guides for individuals and their families and healthcare professionals

Staff & Interns

Meet Scarlett Chidgey

Director of Development

MDF Annual Conference

View past & upcoming conferences

Scarlett joined MDF in May 2024 as Director of Development. With a wealth of experience in nonprofit fund development and a background in science communications, she is enthusiastic about contributing to MDF’s mission of Community, Care, and a Cure. Scarlett is committed to advancing global health through community-centered strategies and initiatives. She is passionate about raising awareness and revenue through authentic storytelling and relationship-building. She holds a BS in Journalism from Boston University and an MA in International Studies from University of Denver. Scarlett lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a life-long love of travel and reading, and she enjoys bike riding with her family.

Meet the rest of the team

Board of Directors

Comprised of leaders in science, finance, fundraising, advocacy and non-profit leadership. Their expertise helps our work, assess our impact, and guide our pursuit of patient-relevant outcomes.

Medical & Scientific Advisory Committee

A group of leading myotonic dystrophy specialists and researchers from around the globe. Our advisors provide guidance, grant peer reviews, and speak at our annual conference.

Staff & Interns

Our staff and interns oversee the Foundation’s daily operations and work closely with the Board to guide and implement our strategic priorities.

Support Group Facilitators

Our support group facilitators are volunteers who give their time and energy to guide discussions, share resources, and foster meaningful support for individuals and families living with DM.

Former Board Members

Past leaders who have helped shape the organization’s direction and impact. Their experience and dedication continue to inform our work and strengthen our commitment to the community.

Awareness Ambassadors

Trained volunteers who share personal experiences to raise awareness and help researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and other audiences better understand what it means to live with DM.

National Advocacy Committee (NAC)

First launched in 2022, the MDF National Advocacy Committee (NAC) is a group of extraordinary community volunteers dedicated to working at the federal level in the US to increase myotonic dystrophy (DM) awareness, grow DM research funding, and advance policies to accelerate the approval of drugs to treat and eventually cure DM.