Passing the Torch and Building the Future

Written by Erin Kupferman, Board President

On April 1st, my term as Board President of SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates will come to a close, and I will have the joy of passing this role to Kim Charles.

Stepping into this position after our Founder, Sara Royf, was one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Sara built SODA with extraordinary heart and vision. My goal was to help steward that vision into its next phase. Today, I am proud to say that SODA is not only growing, but we are growing with intention, structure, and sustainability.

Erin, Sophia (SODA's Engagement Director), Sara (SODA's Founder and first Board President), and Nicole (SODA's Executive Director) in 2023

Then and Now

When I began my term, SODA was already making an incredible impact. Together, we focused on strengthening the systems that would allow SODA to be sustainable and make a bigger impact, like:

• Growing from 82 chapters to nearly 150: After achieving our 100-chapter goal in 2024, SODA continued expanding our chapter network. That growth means more student leaders, more campuses, and more communities where conversations about organ, eye, and tissue donation are happening every day.

• Moving from rolling applications to structured application cycles: This system created a more equitable, organized process for students and allowed our team to provide deeper, more consistent support to every new chapter.

• Expanding from organ donation partners to organ, eye, and tissue donation partners: This expansion reflects a broader, more inclusive national presence and stronger collaboration across the donation community.

• Increasing annual fundraising by 26%: Thanks to multi-year commitments, increased support from organ procurement organizations, and the generosity of our continued donors, SODA has been able to grow its financial support to ensure SODA and our mission will be around for a long time. 

• Transitioning from a growing Board to an established, governance-driven Board: Today, our Board is structured to lead strategically, support staff, and sustain long-term growth, with a mix of expertise from professionals both within and outside the donation and transplantation community.

• Our full-time team experiencing professional growth, with a transition from a Program Director and Engagement Director model to an Executive Director and Engagement Director team: This change was about more than titles. It positioned SODA for its next era, with the leadership capacity needed for a national organization.

None of this happened alone. It happened because of our staff, our Board, our students, and our partners who believe deeply in this mission.

SODA's chapter map at the end of Erin's term

Meet Our Next Board President

Kim Charles has been part of this journey for years. She joined SODA’s Board in May 2022, and long before that, she was a champion for our students as Executive Director of Donate Life Texas.

Kim began her career in organ, eye, and tissue donation at Indiana Donor Network in 2005 and continued her leadership at Southwest Transplant Alliance starting in 2014. She brings deep expertise in advocacy, marketing, and national partnership-building, along with a genuine passion for empowering the next generation as a tissue donation recipient.

I cannot imagine a better person to lead SODA’s Board into this next chapter.

What This Means for You

Our day-to-day relationships are not changing.

• Students will continue working closely with Sophia Renner, our Engagement Director, for chapter support.

• OPO partners will continue to collaborate with Sophia to engage the next generation of advocates.

• National partners and donors will continue to communicate with Nicole Nidea, our Executive Director, who remains the primary point of contact and the driving force behind SODA’s daily work and long-term strategy.

You will begin hearing more from Kim in her new role, and I will remain on the Board to support her and ensure a thoughtful, steady transition.

Looking Ahead

Leadership roles are temporary. Missions are not.

SODA is stronger today than when I began this role. It is more sustainable, more strategic, and more deeply connected to the national donation and transplantation community. Most importantly, more students than ever are discovering that they have the power to save and heal lives.

That is the legacy that matters. And the best is still to come!

Erin presenting about SODA at Stevenson High School in Illinois