Joel brings significant professional experience and a deep personal commitment to the Cure JM mission. A Certified Public Accountant by training, Joel worked for many years at Dell Computer in Austin, Texas, where he contributed to the company’s financial management, strategic planning, and corporate accounting. His background in business and finance provides a strong foundation for organizational leadership and fundraising, qualities that have already proven valuable in his volunteer work with Cure JM.
Joel has been an active and engaged member of the Grandparent Alliance since the jump. His involvement is motivated by his granddaughter, Olivia Reed, who was diagnosed with juvenile myositis in May 2022 at the age of four and a half. Olivia, now nearly eight years old, receives care at Dell Children’s Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Vy Do, part of the Cure JM Clinical Care Network. Joel and his wife Laurel live in the Austin area and regularly attend Cure JM events, including the Texas Regional Conferences. Following the recent Regional Conference, Joel took the initiative to write and share a detailed summary with the Grandparent Alliance, keeping others informed and connected.
Since joining the Alliance, Joel has taken on an increasing number of leadership roles. He is a dedicated member of the Grandparent Connect Group, where he shares support and insight with other families. He serves as a leader on the Grandparent Steering Committee and is also part of the Welcoming Committee, helping to onboard and support new members. His thoughtful contributions were instrumental in shaping the revised Grandparent Charter, and he has helped grow the Alliance community by inviting other family members, including Olivia’s maternal grandmother, to join. Joel currently leads both the Grandparent Steering Committee and the Grandparent Engagement Committee, where his creativity and leadership have made him an essential figure in the Alliance. In many ways, he is already serving as the de facto Vice Chair.
Joel is also deeply committed to fundraising and advocacy. As a Grandparent Ambassador in the Giving Tuesday campaign for two consecutive years, he has raised $20,000- $30,000 annually and has participated in nearly every National Leadership Council meeting and Cure JM town hall. His commitment is reflected in his family’s philanthropy as well. He is a trustee of the Jeanne V. and Joel E. Reed Charitable Foundation, which was established by his parents and has supported Cure JM in recent years. His siblings also participate in the foundation’s giving, and his son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Diana Reed, currently serve as Co-Chairs of the Austin Walk. The Reed family’s collective involvement in Cure JM is a testament to Joel’s leadership and passion.
Joel’s combination of personal dedication, professional expertise, and sustained commitment to Cure JM makes him an ideal candidate for Vice Chair of the Grandparent Alliance. He brings thoughtful leadership, a collaborative spirit, and a strong desire to make a lasting impact on behalf of children and families affected by juvenile myositis.