From Momentum to Mission: My First Message as Board President

Written by Kim Charles, Board President

Today, I have the incredible honor of stepping into the role of Board President at SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates.

This moment feels both energizing and deeply familiar.

Long before I joined the Board in 2022, I had the privilege of working alongside SODA as Executive Director of Donate Life Texas, where I saw firsthand how powerful student advocates can be. Before leading Donate Life Texas, I served in community relations, marketing and communications, and fundraising with Indiana Donor Network and Southwest Transplant Alliance. Those experiences shaped my understanding of how to connect with communities and inspire action.

Throughout that journey, one truth has remained constant: this work moves forward when passionate people are invited to lead.

That is exactly what SODA does.

Kim at Donate Life America's 2025 Annual Conference with Nicole and Sophia; Kim with Nicole and Sophia and fellow Board Members, Dr. Yolanda Becker and Kevin Barnes

Why SODA Matters to This Movement

Students are not just the future of the field of donation and transplantation. They are one of its most effective forces for change right now.

SODA has educated 348,484 people about organ, eye, and tissue donation and helped register 17,055 new donors since 2014. Those numbers represent conversations in residence halls, student unions, classrooms, tabling events, and late-night planning meetings, peer-to-peer moments that shift perspectives in ways traditional outreach cannot.

Our impact is something to celebrate. Celebrate our 2025 accomplishments in our annual Impact Report!

This impact is why SODA has become the national leader in student-driven donation advocacy, and why partners across the country increasingly look to this organization for expertise on reaching the next generation.

Building on an Extraordinary Term and an Extraordinary Team

Because of Erin Kupferman’s steady and visionary leadership, I am stepping into this role at a moment of real strength.

SODA is larger, more strategic, and more sustainable than ever before. Nearly 150 chapters are activating campuses nationwide. Growing financial support is fueling steady growth. Governance is strong. The national team is structured for a national scale.

SODA continues to grow! See the latest additions to our chapter map.

I am deeply grateful to Erin for guiding SODA through this period of intentional growth and for remaining on the Board to support this transition. I am equally grateful to Nicole and Sophia, whose daily leadership and commitment make this mission possible.

Strong organizations are built by strong teams, and SODA’s team—staff, Board, students, and partners—is truly exceptional.

What Comes Next

Our future is not about growing as quickly as possible. It is about growing strategically and sustainably so that every new chapter, every partner, and every student leader is set up for long-term success.

In the years ahead, we will focus on:

• Expanding our chapter network with the infrastructure to support every student leader well

• Increasing the number of people educated about organ, eye, and tissue donation

• Increasing the number of donor registrations driven by student advocates

• Deepening our partnerships across the donation and transplantation community

You don’t want to miss updates on our growth. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our weekly emails.

And we will continue to position SODA as the student experts and the organization national leaders turn to when they want to understand how to engage young people in this work authentically.

Because no one does this at scale the way SODA does.

A Personal Commitment

My experience in this field has shown me the life-saving and healing power of donation from every angle, from working alongside OPO teams to leading statewide advocacy efforts to collaborating with national partners.

Stepping into this role is not just a professional milestone for me. It is a personal commitment to the students who are carrying this mission forward in bold, creative, and urgently needed ways.

We are not starting something new today.

We are building on a powerful foundation.

And together, we will continue equipping the next generation of advocates to save and heal lives.

Say “hi” to Kim and send your well wishes for this new role.