CHICAGO, IL (September 23, 2020) - DiabetesSisters is excited to welcome 40 PODS (Part of DiabetesSisters) Leaders to its sixth annual Leadership Institute on October 3 and 4, 2020. Institute participants from more than 30 locations across the US will engage with expert speakers, DiabetesSisters staff, and each other to create open, welcoming atmospheres that encourage honest discussions; learn more about diabetes-related topics such as gastroparesis and mental health; and share stories of their own leadership challenges and successes. This year, DiabetesSisters will conduct the Institute virtually, maintaining safe physical distance.

Invited speakers at the DiabetesSisters Leadership Institute include:

• Sarah Schuster, TheMighty.com
• Sarah Koenck, living with diabetes and gastroparesis, nutrition and health coach
• Stacey Divone, living with diabetes and gastroparesis, diabetes advocate
• Melissa Lee, Tidepool
• Ginger Viera, author and health coach
• Gayle McKenna, PODS Leader, DiabetesSisters of Ventura County/San Fernando Valley, CA
• Jennifer Stanton, PODS Leader, DiabetesSisters of Jacksonville, FL
• Anne Dalin and Denise Scheffler, PODS Leaders, DiabetesSisters of Bridgewater, NJ
• Shailja Mathur, PODS Leader, DiabetesSisters of Old Bridge, NJ
• Janet Doolin, PODS Leader, DiabetesSisters of Pittsboro, NC
• Sara Pollack, PODS Leader, DiabetesSisters of South Riding/Chantilly, VA

Volunteer PODS Leaders represent DiabetesSisters in their communities by facilitating inclusive support and education groups of their peers: other women living with or at risk of any type of diabetes or prediabetes. All meetings are currently held via remote platform or conference call due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations and guidelines.

“Despite a global pandemic, DiabetesSisters continues to focus on the social, emotional, and educational needs of women living with diabetes,” said Anna Norton, CEO. “We have continued to serve our community virtually during this time with online programs, and the Leadership Institute is among those services. We are excited to utilize online resources to reach more PODS Leaders than we have in past years.”

A DiabetesSisters signature program, PODS Meetups began in Raleigh, NC in 2010 and has grown to support nearly 40 monthly meetups in various locations throughout the US. The program provides encouragement, education, and peer support to women living with diabetes and prediabetes and serves more than 2,300 women annually.

DiabetesSisters recognizes and appreciates 2020 Leadership Institute sponsors: The Allergan Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim-Lilly Alliance, and Novo Nordisk, and remote platform sponsor Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

About DiabetesSisters:
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, DiabetesSisters is the only organization nationwide focusing exclusively on women living with diabetes. Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women living with and at risk of diabetes and to advocate on their behalf. DiabetesSisters has a 50,000+ member peer network that unites women with diabetes for the purpose of support, education and advocacy. Signature programs include monthly peer support meetings (PODS Meetups); the Minority Initiative Program; Annual Leadership Institute for volunteer leaders; online expert articles, blog posts, and forums; and conferences throughout the US. For more information, visit diabetessisters.org.