The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation is pleased to welcome Scarlett Chidgey as our new Director of Development!
Scarlett brings 12 years of fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector to her role as MDF’s Director of Development. She also has more than 20 years of communications experience across commercial, nonprofit, and government sectors. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Journalism at Boston University, Scarlett joined a small science communications firm in Berkeley, CA, where she had the opportunity to collaborate on publication and website projects for NASA.
Deciding it was time for a new adventure in her life journey, Scarlett left her science communications role of seven years to travel and live abroad for six months. Through a nonprofit called the Alliance for International Women's Rights, she volunteered with a women-led nongovernmental organization in Mongolia. Her experience inspired her to pursue her graduate degree in International Studies at the University of Denver, which was a perfect focus for her passion of connecting people across the world for a common goal.
Most recently, Scarlett worked as the Development Director at the Shanti Project, a community-based nonprofit centered on improving quality of life for people with illness and disability. When she came across the Director of Development position at MDF, she was impressed with the scope of initiatives that offer holistic support for people living with myotonic dystrophy and the approach to collaborations that progress care and a cure.
In her role at MDF, Scarlett leads our efforts to sustain and grow revenue to ensure that MDF is able to continue expanding community-centered programs. She is partnering with our wonderful Gala Committee to prepare for our 2024 MDF Gala, which will take place this September in Hollywood, CA. Scarlett values transparency and is looking forward to publishing our 2023 Annual Report to the Community. Similar to the 2022 Report to the Community, this document will highlight the year's activities and milestones marking our progress towards advancing MDF’s mission. Scarlett also has the joy of leading efforts to strength donor stewardship and streamline our development processes alongside Renee Smith, MDF’s New Fundraising and Operations Coordinator.
In her free time, Scarlett can be found voraciously reading, especially a mystery or time travel novel. One of her latest reads is The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. When her nose isn’t in a book, you may find Scarlett riding her bike through the Bay Area with her family.
We are so happy to have Scarlett on the team and can't wait to share the great work she does! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Scarlett Chidgey as our new Director of Development!