Looking Back, Leading Forward: Nicole and Sophia’s New Roles

Written by Erin Kupferman, Board President

As we continue to celebrate SODA’s 100 chapter milestone and reflect on everything this movement has accomplished, I’m filled with gratitude, pride, and excitement for what’s ahead.

SODA was founded a decade ago by a college student who wanted to honor her sister’s legacy and ensure that no one dies waiting for a life-saving transplant. Since then, this student-led mission has grown into a national nonprofit with 115+ student chapters across the country. Our students have educated over 250,000 people about organ, eye, and tissue donation and helped register more than 14,000 new donors.

See where students are saving lives on our chapter map.

That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of leadership that is bold, compassionate, and unwavering in its belief in students. That’s why I’m so proud to share that Nicole Nidea has been named SODA’s Executive Director, and Sophia Renner was promoted to Engagement Director.

Nicole (second from left) and Sophia (right) with Julia, SODA at CU Boulder President, and Dinger, the Colorado Rockies mascot, in Denver at the AOPO 2025 Annual Meeting

Nicole’s story is the story of SODA. She joined as a college student, not because she had a personal connection to donation, but because she believed that more lives could be saved if more people knew the facts. She became a chapter leader, a volunteer fundraiser, and later SODA’s first full-time employee. As Executive Director, Nicole will continue to lead our strategy, operations, and partnerships with the same clarity of purpose and deep commitment to student-led advocacy that have brought us this far.

Hear more about Nicole’s journey and her tips for young professionals in this We are for Good Podcast episode from 2023.

Sophia’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when you invest in young leaders. She joined SODA in 2022 as our Student Engagement Coordinator, bringing her own experience as a college advocate and her passion for building community. Since then, she’s taken on increasing responsibility and built lasting relationships with chapter leaders and OPOs across the country. As Engagement Director, Sophia will lead all of our programs to ensure our students and OPO partners feel supported, inspired, and equipped to make a difference.

Take a walk down memory lane and read SODA’s first blog about Sophia from 2022.

Nicole and Sophia have shaped SODA’s identity, culture, and impact in ways that will benefit students and the people whose lives depend on donation and transplantation for years to come.

Their promotions aren’t just a celebration of individual achievement. They’re a reflection of where SODA is now and where we’re headed. We’re no longer a one-chapter organization; we are a national force for youth-led change in the donation and transplantation community. And we’re just getting started!

To our students, partners, and supporters: thank you for believing in this work and in the power of young people to lead it. Please join me in celebrating Nicole, Sophia, and this exciting new era 🎉