Sydney Yovic, Breakthrough T1D Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff, dedicated the last 12 years to powering progress and advancing Breakthrough T1D’s mission. Having started as a project manager in the Research department, Sydney has led with inspiring passion and perseverance. Her legacy of meaningful and impactful contributions can be felt around the world.
Thankfully for Breakthrough T1D and the global T1D community, Sydney will continue driving us toward cures as the Chief Executive Officer of JDRF Australia, beginning in August. Before returning to her roots “down under,” Sydney shares what fuels her passion for our mission, the breakthroughs she’s most proud of, and what she looks forward to in her new role. We wish Sydney much success and we look forward to her continued leadership as Breakthrough T1D leads the way to more effective solutions and cures for the global T1D community.
What drives your passion for Breakthrough T1D’s mission?
I’m driven by my love for my Uncle Jimmy, who was diagnosed with T1D when he was 30. He was a very important part of my young life, but he died from T1D complications at age 35. Losing him was devastating for my whole family. In the last 12 years, my passion has grown because of the thousands of amazing families I have grown to know and love who are impacted by T1D.
What stands out when you think about your career path from a Research project manager to Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff?
I have had the incredible experience of working on many high impact projects over the years with inspiring colleagues and leaders. Thinking back, a few that stand out include:
- In my first role at Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF), I optimized the Research department operating system and data infrastructure, which enabled the department to be nimbler in how we deploy dollars, analyze our portfolio and allowed us to be transparent to our community about where their dollars are going.
- Implementing Breakthrough T1D’s clinical trials connection tool is one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of. Clinical trial participation is one of the single most important things our community can do to accelerate advancements for T1D therapies, including cures. The opportunity to provide our community with a tool that makes participation easier was a true honor.
- Working in the Mission department with Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, gave me a chance to step out of the research world and learn more about the diabetes ecosystem. In that role, we formalized partnerships with our peer organizations, including Beyond Type 1, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES), Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), and The Diabetes Link. I truly believe we’re stronger together.
- Leading our Global Access Team, launching the T1D Index, and partnering with the Helmsley Charitable Trust on enabling access to basic T1D care for the poorest people on the planet was a career highlight and truly life changing. To have a glimpse at the burden of T1D globally was eye opening, and to be able to have just a small part in supporting this work was memorable and meaningful.
- Breakthrough T1D’s most critical asset is our people. As Chief of Staff, the opportunity to support our CEO and Executive Team in leading this great organization has been a privilege.
- Partnering with Aaron Kowalski on developing our future strategic focus was enlightening and unbelievably inspiring. Our role is clear and if we can rally our organization and community around this focus, I truly believe we will accelerate cures for T1D. To have a hand in leading that work was an honor.
What about your Breakthrough T1D experience was most rewarding?
I am passionate about our mission, I have always been intellectually curious, and intrinsically motivated by the need for constant improvement, so I have cherished every opportunity I’ve had to contribute to Breakthrough T1D moving faster toward cures. Traveling to Africa to see how our support is saving lives for the least fortunate people with T1D on the planet was one of my most rewarding experiences. And the people—from the staff who dedicate themselves day in and day out to advancing our mission, to our incredible Board of Directors, to the army of volunteers who will stop at nothing to support us, and our partner organizations and companies who work alongside us to cure T1D. I have had the good fortune of working alongside people who inspire me and have made me better over the years.
What does the future of Breakthrough T1D look like to you?
The future of Breakthrough T1D has never looked brighter. The science is promising, companies are committing billions of dollars on cures for T1D, and Breakthrough T1D is more focused than ever on putting the puzzle pieces together to advance our mission and cure this disease.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role as CEO of JDRF Australia?
I am most looking forward to working with the incredible team down in Australia to drive our collective mission forward. JDRF Australia has been a shining example of accelerating breakthroughs and impact for our community, led by the brilliant Mike Wilson. I look forward to building on the great organization JDRF Australia is today, and using my experience, relationships, and talents to create a velocity of impact for the T1D community both in Australia and around the globe.
JDRF Australia will become Breakthrough T1D Australia later this year.
