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HomePublicationPasadenaHMRI Appoints New Chief Development Officer

HMRI Appoints New Chief Development Officer

First published in the Dec. 30 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.

Huntington Medical Research Institutes, a world-class Pasadena-based biomedical research organization, recently announced the appointment of Jocelyn Ferguson as chief development officer.
In this newly established position, Ferguson reports to HMRI President/CEO Julia E. Bradsher and collaborates with the organization’s senior leadership team, board of directors and staff to build out its development and communications programs.
Ferguson brings to HMRI almost 20 years of extensive fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on biomedical research, healthcare and higher education for more than 15 years.
Some of her responsibilities at HRMI include strategic planning, evaluating and implementing comprehensive fundraising programs; establishing funding priorities and goals; and overseeing robust communications initiatives aimed at broadening HMRI’s reach and scope through increasing community engagement and enhancing brand recognition.
“We are delighted to welcome Jocelyn to our team as CDO,” Bradsher said. “Jocelyn’s leadership and proven track record in developing fundraising programs that advance biomedical research, patient care, community health programs, higher education and first-generation college student programs — combined with her passion for everything HMRI does and stands for — make her a perfect match for the role and invaluable asset as we continue laying the strategic tracks for our future growth and impact.
“We’re also fortunate to have Jocelyn’s wealth of experience in strategic planning, fiscal management, program development and management, communications, team building and more,” Bradsher added, noting that before joining HMRI, Ferguson implemented successful fundraising programs in the Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle metropolitan regions.
Ferguson said she was drawn to HMRI for more than its important research work. “Two of the most important things to me are education and healthcare,” she commented. She explained that after injury and surgeries altered her plans of careers in the performing and visual arts, she decided to pursue a career in philanthropy because, “I believe everyone should have access to highly skilled healthcare and excellent educational opportunities.
“HMRI research and programs combine all of that together masterfully,” Ferguson continued. “Our quest to improve millions of lives through patient-focused scientific research, our life-changing studies on the heart, brain and the vascular intersection between the two, our dedication to inspiring the next generation of scientists through our outstanding postdoctoral fellowship program, our passion for making top-tier STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education accessible to high school students for whom it might otherwise be out of reach, and our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion all align perfectly with my priorities and values.”
Ferguson has lived in the U.S. and abroad. The daughter of a much-admired oral surgeon-dentist-orthodontist and pillar in his Pacific Northwest community, Ferguson is ever aware of the difference opportunities and access afford compared to disparities. As a result, she also dedicates her life to numerous diversity, equity and inclusion causes, including being chosen as one of 25 women out of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.’s 125,000 membership to serve on two of its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Policy Committees.
Ferguson credits biomedical research with extending the time she had with her father — her inspiration and role model.
“He died four years ago from cardiovascular disease associated with his cancer, yet I had him for half a lifetime more than expected because of the innovative research to which he had access,” she said. “That’s why I am motivated to accelerate scientific discoveries via philanthropic investments. The work HMRI does is not just about improving patient outcomes. It’s also about patients’ families. I feel very privileged and honored to be in the position I am in and I want to inspire people to support HMRI, its significant research and educational programs.”
Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from the University of Washington in Seattle and attended a Ph.D. program at the University of California at Berkeley. As both an undergraduate and graduate student, she also studied 19th-century French impressionist painting in Paris, France.

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