Chief Executive Officer

David Bakelman began serving as CEO of the National Pancreas Foundation in April 2020. David is responsible for the strategic direction of the only national organization in the United States addressing all forms of pancreas disease including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Prior to his arrival at NPF, David served as CEO of The Pap Corps – Champions for Cancer Research, a Florida based charity that raises funds for cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Miami.
Before the Pap Corps, David was the National CEO of Help HOPE Live, a Philadelphia-based national health organization which helps cell and organ transplant, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury patients raise funds to offset their medical expenses. Help HOPE Live was ranked in the top 1% of all charities in the United States.

Previously, David served as President of the Magic Wand Foundation, an international youth empowerment charity serving youth in over 24 countries. David also served as National CEO of StandUp for Kids, a non-profit serving homeless youth in 47 cities throughout the United States. For eight years David served as the Executive Director of Georgia Transplant Foundation, the largest human service organization in the country that provides financial assistance and advocacy to the organ transplant community.

David built his non-profit career with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta as Vice President of Resource Development. David was responsible for the 4th largest United Way fundraising effort in the country, leading an $80 million annual fundraising campaign. Under David’s leadership, over one quarter of a billion dollars was raised for distribution to health and human service programs in Atlanta.
David holds a Master’s of Social Work Degree from Florida State University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Eckerd College.