Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2024: CHARLES D. ‘CHUCK’ HENDERSON

Henderson joined the American Diabetes Association in January 2020 and was named permanent CEO in May 2022 after serving as interim CEO for six months. He previously worked in the private sector for 24 years, most recently as president and CEO of Texas-based emergency services company Champion Fire & Security.

In 2023, the ADA partnered with health care tech company Abbott Laboratories to investigate how diabetes technology such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems can help people with diabetes make more informed decisions about what they eat. Abbott gave the ADA a $2.65 million grant to explore the potential benefits of personalized, therapeutic nutrition based on CGM data.

In 2022, the nonprofit spent more than $87 million to support diabetes research, information, advocacy and public awareness programs.

Henderson earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M, where he co-captained the basketball team. In 2022, Henderson joined angel investor StartUp Health’s Health Moonshot Impact Board, which advises the venture capital firm on its funding of health care innovations, including Type 1 diabetes treatments.

HOW I CHOSE MY CAREER: I followed my gut!

FAVORITE TEAM: All Houston sports teams