THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION

Our Team

Meet the dedicated team working to keep families together through pediatric cancer.

Our Founders

Jackie and Dan founded Madelyn James after their daughter Maddy's battle with infant leukemia. What started as a promise to help other families became an organization dedicated to showing up—financially and personally—for families facing pediatric cancer.

Jacquelyn Horstmann Didio

Co-Founder & CEO

Maddy and Hannah's Mom

Jackie is Maddy and Hannah's mom—a twin mom who became a nonprofit co-founder. With over 17 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, she's dedicated to increasing equity in childhood cancer so all families can access equitable health care. Jackie has held leadership roles at organizations including Miriam's Kitchen, buildOn, and The Child & Family Network Centers, bringing expertise in corporate partnerships, events, and development.

jackie@madelynjames.org

Dan Didio

Co-Founder & Board Chair

Maddy and Hannah's Dad

Dan is Maddy and Hannah's dad. When Maddy was diagnosed at three months old, Dan became a full-time caregiver alongside Jackie, learning to navigate major hospital systems while supporting their family through treatment. Dan works at Johnson & Johnson MedTech and brings his experience in healthcare and his deeply personal understanding of what families face during pediatric cancer treatment.

dan@madelynjames.org

Our Board of Directors

Our board brings together medical professionals, nonprofit leaders, parents who have walked this road, and dedicated advocates—all united by one mission: keeping families together through pediatric cancer.