Meet Emily Polet-Monterosso, NKDO's Director of Community Engagement
Emily’s journey from kidney donor to community leader is nothing short of inspiring. In this Q&A, she opens up about how donating a kidney in 2019 reshaped her life and brought her to NKDO, where she’s excited to unite and empower the living donor community.
Emily’s enthusiasm and dedication shine through as she shares her vision for what we can achieve together.
Curious about how to get involved? Emily is ready to help you find your spot in our growing community!
How did becoming a kidney donor change your life?
It has changed my life in almost every way. I’ve gained a lifelong friend in my recipient, a single dad with polycystic kidney disease. It’s amazing to see him thrive—he’s even about to welcome his first grandchild.
My career took a big turn, leading me to work with NKDO and connect with the donor community. I’m incredibly grateful for this role. Physically, I’m healthier and more mindful of my well-being. Socially, I’ve made friends with many living donors who inspire me every day.
Most notably, I feel like I’ve made a real difference in the world. I had no clue that the choice to donate would impact my life so deeply, but what a gift I gave myself!
What excites you about your new role as Director of Community Engagement at NKDO?
I’m most excited about what the living donor community can achieve. Over the past few years, small groups of dedicated volunteers have led impressive grassroots initiatives, raising awareness and building connections with limited resources. Their success shows how powerful the kidney donor community can be when we unite.
These volunteer-led efforts inspire me. With NKDO’s support, I’m eager to bring my community-building and strategic planning skills to the table. Living kidney donors can accomplish anything. I can’t wait to see what we achieve as we become more connected and organized.
How do you envision bringing the living donor community together and keeping everyone connected and inspired?
Helping living kidney donors connect with each other and with volunteer opportunities is a top priority for NKDO. There are already great programs in place, like the National Kidney Registry’s Donor Connect program that pairs NKDO Mentors with kidney donor candidates.
On Facebook, groups like Kidney Donor Athletes and the Living Kidney Donor Support Group offer great virtual forums for donors and people who are thinking about donation. One Kidney Clubs across the country provide ways for donors to meet up in person and participate together in events.
My goal is to make sure all donors know about and can access existing resources. I’m also focused on finding gaps and creating strategies to welcome all kidney donors and those interested in living donation into the community, no matter where they live or if they’re on social media.
As part of this effort, we’re forming an NKDO Donor Community committee to develop strategies for 2025. I look forward to collaborating with NKDO leadership to bring our ideas to life and keep our community connected and inspired.
You’re also on the board of Kidney Donor Athletes—how has your involvement with KDA helped shape your approach to community engagement?
KDA has shown me the power of connection among living donors. When two kidney donors get together in a room, something special happens—they just click. The dedication I’ve seen from my fellow KDA board members and volunteers has deepened my desire to support the living donor community.
KDA’s mission is unique. They focus on donors who want to engage in rigorous physical activity after donation. My work with KDA has taught me the importance of tailoring engagement to the interests of an organization’s members. At NKDO, we’ll be creating community engagement initiatives that appeal to a broader audience, not just those who are athletic.
What’s something surprising about you that people might not know outside of your kidney donation and your work with NKDO?
I’m a huge musical theatre buff! Before getting involved in living donor advocacy, I was active in local community theaters, either performing or working behind the scenes. Though I’m on a performance hiatus, I still make time to see shows and love indulging in trips to NYC for a theater binge.
If you want to win me over, start quoting the first few lines of just about any showtune. I won’t be able to resist chiming in to finish the lines!
If someone’s interested in getting involved with the NKDO community, where should they start?
Reach out to me directly at e.polet-monterosso@nkdo.org or fill out NKDO’s Community Engagement Survey. I’d love to get to know you and help you find the best way to contribute to our amazing community.
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