ADA's New CEO Takes Over in Time for 78th Scientific Sessions

Tracey D. Brown, MBA, BChE, began as the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) chief executive officer (CEO) on June 1, 2018, just in time for the ADA’s 78th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida, from June 22 to 26, 2018.

“I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes that became type 2 diabetes more than 14 years ago,” she said in a statement. “Since then, I have lived with the burden of managing this disease every hour of every day of every year. And, as I know all too well, diabetes affects the entire family, not just the person diagnosed with diabetes. In my personal life, I strive to be a living example of how to manage and thrive with this disease. I am succeeding because I have access to the right information, care, and support. I am ready to join the ADA in its fight to provide these same things to all people with diabetes.”

The ADA’s 78th Scientific Sessions will feature key research about the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and the association expects to welcome more than 16,000 attendees from around the world.

Brown will help lead the event, alongside William T. Cefalu, MD, the ADA’s chief scientific, medical, and mission officer.

"While proud of the important work we have done so far for individuals with diabetes, we are poised to do so much more and at an accelerated pace,” he said in a statement. “I welcome

Ms. Brown to the ADA, and I personally look forward to having her as a partner to increase the ADA's reach and expedite its impact. I am excited about the contributions she will be making to the ADA because of her understanding of digital platforms and consumer engagement, her broad business expertise, and her personal commitment to improving the lives of those with diabetes. I look forward to working together to bring meaningful change to the lives of people with diabetes."

Brown previously served as senior vice president of operations and chief experience officer at Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, and has 25 years of business experience under her belt. She began her career as a chemical engineer for Proctor & Gamble and went on to receive an MBA from Columbia University in New York, New York.

Brown has been an advocate for the ADA in her own community through dedicated fundraising and volunteering, according to an ADA statement.

"Tracey lives with type 2 diabetes herself, so it was natural for us to ask Tracey to represent Sam's Club and be a candidate in the ADA's local fundraiser. She personally raised more than double what was raised by all of the candidates combined the previous year,” John Furner, president and CEO of Sam’s Club in Bentonville, Arkansas, said in a statement. “She not only smashed that record, she set a new national ADA benchmark as well. While we are certainly disappointed to see Tracey leave Sam's Club, we know she will do an awesome job at the ADA. We wish her all the best."