About Us
Our Story
SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates was founded at Washington University in St. Louis in 2014. In 2017, SODA’s second chapter was established at Marquette University, followed by its third chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After this success, SODA began to grow nationally. Today, SODA has 34 chapters. With passionate leaders at the helm of each campus chapter, SODA chapters are making a difference in their communities.
Why SODA Exists
Students represent a promising segment of the population to become educated about the critical need for organ donation and to register as organ donors. SODA campus chapters mobilize organ donation ambassadors and their peers, instill a passion for organ donation that can last a lifetime, and fulfill an unmet need for student-focused organ donation education and registration efforts across the United States.
How SODA Works
SODA’s National Team works with high school and college campus chapters to fulfill an unmet need for student-focused organ donation education and registration efforts across the United States. SODA also works with the Community Outreach Teams at more than 15 OPOs to support and inspire student advocacy on high school and college campuses across the country.
Full Time Leadership
NICOLE NIDEA
Program Manager
Nicole was first introduced to SODA in 2015, and ever since, she has been devoted to educating others about organ donation. She served as the Marketing Chair then President of SODA at Washington University in St. Louis until she graduated in 2019 with a BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Nicole joined the SODA National Team in 2020 as the Director of Development to lead SODA's fundraising efforts as a volunteer. In April 2021, Nicole became SODA’s first paid employee. As Program Manager, Nicole supports and grows chapters, oversees fundraising and finances, and builds our programs and partnerships.
You can reach Nicole at nicole@sodanational.org.
Volunteer Leadership
SARA MILLER
President and Founder
Since founding SODA in 2014, Sara has been passionate about activating passionate students to advocate for organ donation. She manages SODA National, oversees SODA’s partnerships with OPOs, and ensures SODA’s work aligns with its vision and mission. Sara studied Healthcare Management and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to her volunteer leadership at SODA, she works full time as a Senior Operations Analyst at Optum in Denver, Colorado.
You can reach Sara at sara@sodanational.org.
Join SODA’s National Leadership Team
and help cultivate this nationwide movement.
Advisors
Shana Zucker
Student Engagement Advisor
One of SODA’s original founders, Shana is currently a third-year medical student pursuing an MD, an MPH in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, and an MS in Anatomy at the Tulane University Schools of Medicine and Public Health & Tropical Medicine. In addition to her studies, Shana also conducts research, including roles as a Research Assistant for Trauma Surgery and Research Executive Director for the Medical Student Pride Alliance. She supports SODA as its Student Engagement and Social Media Advisor.