Diagnosed with kidney disease at 21, Glenda V. Roberts managed her disease with diet and exercise for 40 years because she was only offered dialysis as a treatment option. Since becoming the Director of External Relations and Patient Engagement at the University of Washington Kidney Research Institute in 2018, she has published and co-authored 30+ papers in high impact medical and kidney disease journals, served on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) - American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Task Force to Reassess the Use of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Disease and the Kidney Health Initiative Board of directors, received the ASN President's Medal, and two US President’s Volunteer Service Awards (2020, 2022) for her work related to kidney diseases. She brings the patient voice to several research projects and patient advocacy organizations and initiatives.