Michelle Whitten Biography

The Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GDSF) in Denver Colorado, Michelle Sie Whitten is an American of Chinese and Italian descent. The non-profit Global Down Syndrome Foundations's mission is to fund the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, (LCI) the first U.S. research center committed solely to research and medical care for people with Down syndrome.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation also lobbies for increased funding and advocates for increased help for people with Down syndrome. Procuring a fair share of Federal Government support for research, medical care, and improved educational standards for people with Down syndrome is also a goal of the Foundation.

Since 2005, Whitten has served as the Executive Director of the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation (AJSF) one of the major sources of funding for Down syndrome research and programs, as well as medical care.

Early life

Daughter of cable pioneer, John J. Sie, Whitten's graduate education was influenced by her Chinese heritage. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Regional Studies " East Asia and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, both from Harvard University. Her undergraduate degree in Asian Studies is from Tufts University and she studied Mandarin Chinese at Peking University.

Career

She worked in the cable industry from 1993 until 2005. Whitten was President and CEO of Encore International, Inc., then the China arm of Liberty Media Corporation.

Awards

Whitten received the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award and the Women in Cable & Telecommunications Walk of Fame Award as well as the 40 Under 40 Achievement Award.

For her work on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome Whitten received the, 2011 ICON awards for the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, 2011, the National Football Foundation Community Outreach Award, the 2010 Rainbow of Hope Award from Keshet of the Rockies, the 2009 Developmental Pathways Frances Owens Family Involvement award, and the 2007 National Down Syndrome Congress' Exceptional Meritorious Service Award and the 2007 Arc Thrift Community Leadership Award

Board Service

Whitten sits on the boards of ARC Thrift of Colorado, Challenge Day Denver, and the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.

Personal

Whitten is married to Tom Whitten, a China and contemporary art expert. One of their children has Down syndrome.