Breakthrough T1D is pleased to announce the promotion of Lauren Shields to Executive Director of the Breakthrough T1D Greater New England Chapter, effective January 22, 2024.
Lauren celebrated her 18th anniversary at Breakthrough T1D on January 30. Starting as the Outreach Manager, she has consistently taken on new increasingly challenging roles, and more responsibilities, culminating in her promotion in 2018 to Associate Executive Director, a distinguished title held by only six others across the country. Since October, she has served as the Interim Executive Director for the chapter. Prior to Breakthrough T1D, Lauren worked at the American Lung Association and Brodeur Partners, a Boston-based communications agency. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology from Regis College.
Lauren’s Breakthrough T1D career has been centered around peer-to-peer fundraising, community engagement, stewardship, advocacy, and staff and volunteer management. Over the years she has worked with every program and event Breakthrough T1D has to offer. She has developed strong relationships with volunteers, donors, fundraising participants, corporate and community partners, as well as the broader T1D community. She has demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt, learn on the go, embrace and lead through change, and serve as a trusted partner to Breakthrough T1D staff and supporters.
Lauren and her husband Joe reside in southeastern Massachusetts and have an active family life with their two children and rescue dog. Lauren spends much of her free time at soccer fields watching her children’s or the New England Revolutions’ games. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the Olivia Knighton Foundation.
Lauren states, “When I began my career at Breakthrough T1D, I did not have a direct connection to T1D, but all these years later this mission has become personal. I am thankful for the contributions and partnership of the countless individuals and families I have met throughout my journey here who remain as my ‘why.’ I am grateful for the opportunity to continue our work together to raise more funds, engage and support our community across our geographic footprint, foster connections, and build upon what is already a very strong foundation.”
Upon hearing this, Breakthrough T1D Greater New England Community Board President, Jaleen Siekman said, “For nearly two decades, Lauren has been the ‘why’ for countless families and individuals of all ages and stages of their T1D journey. Why people feel supported; why people feel seen, heard, and understood; why people feel empowered to advocate and fundraise; and why multi generations of families chose to remain engaged with our chapter. Lauren is an exceptional mission driven leader, uniquely suited to guide our staff, volunteers, donors, and corporate partners as we work together to achieve our ultimate goal. On behalf of the Greater New England Community Board, congratulations, Lauren!”
