Welcome to ALK Positive Inc, Roberta!
Tell us a little about your background before you joined ALK Positive as our first dedicated Director of Philanthropy.
Before joining ALK Positive, I spent over a decade working in the nonprofit sector, focused on global health and public health initiatives. My work has spanned vaccine equity, malaria prevention, and food security, including time working with underserved communities in the Philippines.
Most recently, I worked with the United Nations Foundation and its Shot@Life campaign, where I focused on building corporate partnerships and engaging donors to support global health programs. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a desire to connect people and resources to causes that can meaningfully improve lives.
What appealed to you in this role and our organization? Why did you feel compelled to join us?
What drew me in right away was how deeply engaged and mission-driven this community is. Throughout my career in public health and global health advocacy, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when people come together to use their voices to advocate for themselves, for others, and for meaningful change.
What I find so inspiring about ALK Positive is that it is a patient-driven community that empowers people to better understand their health, find critical resources, advocate for themselves and others, and support one another while also helping push research and progress forward.
There is something incredibly powerful about people transforming personal experience into action and advocacy. I feel incredibly motivated to be part of this mission and to help grow the partnerships and resources that can further expand its impact.
You’ve been with us since March 2026. What has excited you so far in the role and/or organization, and what are you looking forward to in terms of the impact you’re hoping to make?
What has stood out to me most is the level of care and commitment across this community. There is a deep sense of connection between patients, caregivers, volunteers, and leadership, and it comes through in everything the organization does.
I’m excited to help strengthen and grow the fundraising program with that same level of care and intention, building the resources needed to support patients, expand programs, and accelerate research. There is so much potential to grow the community of supporters around ALK Positive, and I look forward to creating more opportunities for people to connect with and contribute to this mission in meaningful ways.
Is there a message you would like to convey to our readers – who are mostly patients and their families – in terms of the difference they can make if they decide to fundraise for ALK Positive, no matter the amount?
What makes ALK Positive so powerful is that this organization was built through grassroots patient advocacy and the determination of people who refused to face this disease alone. That spirit still drives the organization today.
Fundraising is one of the most meaningful ways people can help continue that momentum. Every fundraiser, donation, and shared story helps fuel research, patient support programs, education, and advocacy efforts that directly impact this community.
No effort is too small. When patients, families, and supporters come together around a shared purpose, it creates something incredibly powerful, not only in terms of funding, but in visibility, connection, and hope. Those collective efforts help push research forward and ensure more people feel supported and seen along the way.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What fills your heart with joy and helps you to keep going?
Outside of work, I love traveling, learning about different cultures and languages, and trying new foods wherever I go. I’m also happiest outdoors, whether that’s hiking through the woods, foraging, gardening, or simply slowing down and reconnecting with nature.
I love experiences that bring people together, whether that’s cooking a great meal with friends, a book club discussion that goes off the rails, a themed costume party, or somehow ending up singing karaoke at the end of the night. These moments of connection, curiosity, and joy are what keep me grounded and energized.
