Southwest Transplant Alliance Announces Kirsten Gappelberg as Chief Development and Communications Officer
DALLAS, May 2, 2022 – Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA), one of the nation’s leading organ procurement organizations, today announced the promotion of Kirsten Gappelberg as its new chief development and communications officer (CDCO).
Gappelberg joins the organization’s senior executive leadership team after serving as vice president of marketing communications and foundation relations for more than three years. In her new role, Gappelberg maintains leadership of all community engagement initiatives, internal and external communications programs and the STA Foundation. She will also oversee STA’s donor services department, which provides comprehensive support of the organ and tissue donation process. Additionally, Gappelberg will drive impact for the organization through strategic initiatives and relationships with hospitals and transplant centers, as well as the organization’s efforts to care for donor families. Finally, Gappelberg will lead STA’s employee education, culture initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion program.
“Kirsten has a proven track record of delivering purposeful programs that have catapulted STA’s impact and reach, not just on a local level, but throughout the state,” said Brad Adams, STA President. “I’m confident that as the newest member of our executive team, she will help us save even more lives through the most critical aspects of our organization – relationship building, community engagement and internal culture.”
Gappelberg joins STA’s executive leadership team following more than 20 years of experience leading teams and driving impactful programs with measurable results. Prior to her role at STA, Gappelberg held various leadership positions in the technology industry, as well as with global cosmetic giant Mary Kay Inc.
“There is nothing more fulfilling than working alongside STA’s team of dedicated, passionate and brilliant professionals who live out the organization’s lifesaving mission each day,” said Gappelberg. “I’m honored to join the senior leadership team and work closely with our partners, community and team across Texas to share the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.”
STA is a national leader in the organ procurement industry serving a diverse population of more than 10 million Texans across 89 counties throughout its donor service area. Anyone can support STA’s mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation. There are several ways to record your decision:
· Online at organ.org/register
· When you renew your driver’s license or state ID through Texas DPS
· On the MedID tab of the Health App on your iPhone or iPad
· Through STA and Donate Life Texas representatives at special events
· By completing a paper form by mail, available here
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About Southwest Transplant Alliance
Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA) is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that saves lives by fulfilling the gifts of organ and tissue donation. Founded in 1974, STA has facilitated more than 35,000 organs for recovery and enhanced the lives of tens of thousands of people through tissue recovery. STA is among the largest of 57 federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States and is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Established in 2018, the STA Foundation provides care for families, community education, and research in transplant science. STA serves communities in North Texas, Beaumont, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Galveston, Midland/Odessa, Temple, Tyler and Wichita Falls. For more information, go to ORGAN.ORG.