Thank You, Jodi, Editing Queen of the NFED

May 23, 2019June 19, 2019 Category: News Posted by NFED

This week we celebrate Jodi Edgar Reinhardt’s 25^th Anniversary with the NFED.  Jodi started a full-time position with us, fresh out of her Master’s program in 1994, but her journey started during her internship in the early 1990s.  Jodi has dedicated her career to the NFED, specifically the NFED families. 

She considers the NFED family an extension of her own family.  She often recruits her own family members and friends to help in her crusade.  Her mom, Jeanne, is an avid NFED volunteer and one of our best advocates.  Jodi’s husband, Brad, does exactly what Jodi asks him to do to support our mission.  Her children are the next generation of NFED advocates and supporters.  Alana, Jodi’s daughter, dedicated a summer helping us with our marketing efforts. Ben and Jett have spent time putting Conference and Advocacy packets together.  Not to mention her cousins, and other family members who have traveled with us to events to volunteer. Her families (both personal and NFED) are her passion and love.

Throughout these past 25 years, Jodi has shared her time, commitment, talents and passion with the ectodermal dysplasias community.  Her commitment and dedication are remarkable    Everyday Jodi gives 100%+ to the NFED mission.  There is never a task or project that she takes lightly. No matter the time or day.  At one time, Jodi worked with me at 3 am to finish a NIH grant for funding for our AEC conference.  Wow the hoops we had to jump through!  Not once did Jodi tell me, “I just can’t do that for you”. We were successful and we celebrated our funding success!

There were days when Jodi was responsible for cleaning the bathrooms, coordinated the mailings and organizing family events. She’s developed newsletters and all of our collateral marketing materials. Whatever needed doing, she was and continues to be right there!  When Jodi, served as Development Director, she would often say, I’ll do back flip down Main Street, to raise money for the NFED. She was not above anything to support the NFED mission.  There are no words to describe Jodi’s love and passion for the NFED and our families.  She describes her NFED journey as “her calling”. The NFED is so much more than a “job” for our long-time friend and colleague. It is her life love.

 I asked Mary Kaye Richter, NFED Founder, to share some thoughts:

One day a college student walked into my office looking for an internship.  She was chatty, cheerful and smart; all of the attributes you would hope to find.  I knew she would be a great asset to the organization but like many students, she was hoping to be paid.  As a small organization, we had nothing to offer in that regard but I’m confident I told her it would be the experience of a life time.  After some thought (and if I recall correctly this took a few days) she returned eager to work and to help our fledgling organization.  She worked on a number of projects but her world (and ours) changed dramatically when she attended her first family conference in Washington, D.C.  We didn’t have the money to pay her way but an unexpected change in plans enabled her to use my daughter’s airline ticket.  So Jodi was off and she took it all in like a sponge and loved every moment.  After the internship was over and she went to Purdue to work on a master’s degree, I told her to explore all of the opportunities that would arise following graduation.  However, I wanted her to know that if she wanted to come back to the NFED the door would be open for her. There is little doubt that when she walked back through that door it was the best thing that ever happened to the NFED.  There is no doubt in my mind that God had a hand in this just as was the case with so many individuals who came to leave their mark on the NFED. Jodi was a keeper and I’m so glad she returned as her many talents led to pivotal changes in all that we did and made the NFED what it is today. The only downside to all of this was putting up with her and Beverly’s tears which seem to overflow on a moment’s notice.  But that was a small inconvenience to all that she has done for the NFED and of me.  I know all of our families join with me in giving thanks that Jodi has been with the NFED for 25 years.  May God continue to bless her and the organization in the days and years ahead. – MKR

Jodi is talented and driven to excellence.  She has contributed greatly to the NFED success over the past 25 years and we are truly grateful for her service. I have really enjoyed working with Jodi.  Not only do I consider her a stellar colleague but also a trusted friend.  We are able to agree and to disagree and come up with the best course of action for the NFED. 

Please join me and the NFED staff, Board of Directors and our councils in celebrating a remarkable woman’s contribution to the NFED.  Jodi is a beautiful woman both inside and out!   I am truly honored and blessed to have the opportunity to work with Jodi! 

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To quote former Board of Directors President, Anil Vora:

25 Years ago, Jodi’s life met Jodi’s purpose, and the rest is history.

Congratulations Jodi!

Thank you Jodi Edgar Reinhardt!!  xoxo

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