Kopp Foundation for Diabetes Hosts Inaugural Impact Night to Launch Youth-Led Movement in T1D Care

Board directors, executive leaders, and students from across the U.S. joined KFD’s first Impact Night to advance innovation and youth leadership in diabetes

PHILADELPHIA, PA, PA, UNITED STATES, August 26, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Kopp Foundation for Diabetes Hosts Inaugural Impact Night, Uniting Leaders, Experts, and Students Nationwide to Transform Type 1 Diabetes Care

The Kopp Foundation for Diabetes (KFD) marked a powerful beginning with its inaugural Impact Night Conference, an event that brought together a distinguished board of directors, its executive leadership team, and students from universities and high schools across the country. The evening celebrated a growing movement to reimagine the future of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) care by placing young leaders at the forefront of innovation, equity, and community action.

A Movement Begins

The program opened with Max Kopp, the 17-year-old Founder and Executive Director of KFD, introducing the Foundation’s mission and its three core pillars: Type 1 diabetes outreach, scholarships and recognition, and mentorship and internship opportunities. He spoke about the urgency of rethinking diabetes care to better reflect the voices of young people living with or impacted by the disease.

“KFD was created to give young people a voice in shaping the future of diabetes care,” Kopp said. “Tonight showed that together, we can reimagine what leadership and innovation in health look like.”

Max’s remarks set the tone for an evening that was equal parts call-to-action and celebration of community.

Board Leaders Share Their Vision

The event featured introductions from KFD’s board directors, each with decades of expertise across governance, science, education, and global partnerships. Their presence underscored that while the foundation is youth-led, it is also anchored by a council of experienced leaders guiding its trajectory.

Carl Smith, who has spent his career in public policy and nonprofit governance, spoke about the importance of embedding youth-led innovation in systems that can create long-term change. “Policies shape lives, and youth-led innovation must be supported at every level,” Smith said, stressing that KFD’s mission must be aligned with frameworks that enable impact across education, healthcare, and government.

Dr. Shin Mukai, a chemical biologist, entrepreneur, and longtime mentor, emphasized the need to connect young innovators with real-world science. “Young innovators have the power to transform science,” Mukai said. “KFD is building the bridge that allows future leaders to not only imagine solutions but to test and deliver them.”

Katherine Yang, an education leader with a track record of developing youth leadership programs, reflected on the transformative potential of empowering students. “Education is the spark for change,” she said. “By equipping students with the right tools, mentorship, and confidence, KFD can unlock the next generation of leaders in diabetes innovation.”

Sabrina Guo, who brings extensive experience in finance and global nonprofit development, highlighted the infrastructure needed to make KFD’s vision sustainable. “Strong systems and partnerships will allow youth-led ideas to scale globally,” she said. “This foundation isn’t just about one community—it’s about building a global platform for impact.”

Together, these voices provided a roadmap for how KFD plans to bridge the energy of youth with the experience of established leaders.

Executive Leadership in Action

Beyond the board, KFD’s executive team presented the initiatives that will drive its first year of programming. Rachael Horvath, Director of Operations and Strategy, introduced the Youth Ambassador program, explaining how it will give middle school, high school, and college students the chance to become community leaders. She outlined pathways for involvement that range from leading fundraising campaigns to organizing local awareness events and connecting with healthcare mentors.

Marnie Melvin, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, detailed the foundation’s hospital and school initiatives. She described how KFD plans to partner with hospitals to provide diagnosis support kits for newly diagnosed families, while also launching school-based programs offering free T1D testing days and educational events. “Our goal is to meet families and students where they are,” Melvin said. “We want to ensure that awareness, education, and support are accessible at every level, from the classroom to the clinic.”

Both Horvath and Melvin emphasized that these initiatives are not abstract plans but immediate projects KFD intends to roll out with the support of its growing network.

Students Nationwide Step Forward

Perhaps the most striking element of Impact Night was the student presence. Attendees represented universities including the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California San Diego, along with high school leaders from Philadelphia and beyond.

Many students used the chat to introduce themselves and their schools, underscoring the nationwide reach of the event. From aspiring biomedical engineers to student advocates with personal connections to T1D, the participants reflected a diverse range of voices eager to get involved.

Several committed on the spot to becoming Youth Ambassadors, pledging to take on projects that span advocacy campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, and community outreach. The enthusiasm of these students underscored one of KFD’s central beliefs: that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today.

Programs and Partnerships on the Horizon

Alongside its youth initiatives, KFD unveiled its framework for external partnerships. The foundation will pursue collaborations with hospitals to deliver critical resources, build partnerships with schools to improve detection and awareness, and engage community organizations in peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

These efforts will be supported by recurring contributions through the Foundation’s Champion Circle program, which provides individuals and corporations the chance to sustain KFD’s work on an ongoing basis. By combining grassroots energy with institutional support, KFD aims to build a scalable and replicable model of impact.

About the Kopp Foundation for Diabetes

The Kopp Foundation for Diabetes (KFD) is a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to transforming Type 1 Diabetes care through innovation, equity, and leadership. By uniting students, scientists, and communities, KFD empowers the next generation to lead in research, advocacy, and global health solutions.

For more information, visit www.koppfoundation.org
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Max Kopp
Kopp Foundation
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