Richard R. Nelson, Chair & Co-founder Rare Kidney Disease Foundation

Richard R. Nelson

Richard Nelson received a successful kidney transplant 32 years ago. Since then, he has tirelessly advocated to find a treatment and cure for his family’s rare genetic kidney disease, now known as ADTKD (Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease).  Richard founded the Rare Kidney Disease Foundation (RKDF) in 2018 to expand awareness to find the estimated tens of thousands of undiagnosed patients in the U.S., build a strong patient and medical team community, and advocate for ADTKD patients and families.

Professionally, Richard spent 18 years as CEO of the nationally recognized Utah Technology Council, creating a dynamic environment for the state’s 6,000+ tech companies to grow and thrive. In 2008, Richard played a significant role in passing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in Congress. He has an MBA from Northwestern University and has served on over twenty boards, including the Board of the PKD Foundation. 

Richard lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife Karen. They are the parents of five children and have seven grandchildren.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrnelson20