The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Board of Trustees has named Kristen Clifford the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 13, 2025.

Kristen comes to UMDF with decades of non-profit leadership experience, including most recently as Chief Program Officer at the Alzheimer’s Association where she oversaw strategic community programming that focused on increasing quality and equitable access to care for patients. Prior to this, Kristen served as Vice President of Healthcare Access for the National MS Society.

“The Board and I set out to identify someone who had the qualifications to take the UMDF to the next level. Amongst the wide range of phenomenal candidates we met, Kristen stood out immediately. We believe her vast experience in healthcare and non-profit advocacy will prove invaluable in dealing with the complex issues that impact our mitochondrial disease patients, such as ensuring a swift diagnosis, accessing quality medical care, and navigating approval hurdles for new treatments. We are excited and hopeful for the growth that Kristen promises to bring to our organization and the community as a whole,” said Dr. Alicia Palladino, UMDF Board of Trustees Chair.

Said Kristen: “When it comes to charting a course toward treatments and cures, it’s clear this community is on the precipice of incredible things. It’s an honor to step into this role at such a pivotal moment. In UMDF, this community has built something extraordinary, and I look forward to working alongside the many dedicated volunteers, supporters, and staff members to carry the mission forward.”

Kristen resides with her husband and three daughters in Austin, Texas.