From her very first day, Nicole Capossela brought an unmistakable sense of purpose, passion, and possibility to the Lupus Research Alliance.  

Since joining as Chief Advancement Officer, Nicole has helped strengthen relationships across the organization and beyond — connecting with donors, industry partners, researchers, clinicians, and the lupus community to expand the organization’s impact. 

Drawing on her extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, Nicole has worked to build on the organization’s strategic vision, aiming to accelerate the discovery and development of patient-centered treatments and diagnostics. This effort has involved fostering existing partnerships, forging new ones, and elevating the Lupus Research Alliance’s storytelling approach.  

Her approach blends strategy and heart — ensuring every conversation, collaboration, and partnership reflects the people at the center of the mission: those living with lupus. 

Take it from her:  

What inspired you to join the Lupus Research Alliance and its mission?
I was drawn to the organization’s singular focus on improving lives through research — across the full spectrum, from bench to bedside and from diagnostics to cures, and everything in between. I’ve always been inspired by organizations that take on complex challenges with both optimism and rigor, and the Lupus Research Alliance’s blend of bold scientific pursuit and deep commitment to the lupus community resonated with me immediately. 

Freeing the world of lupus is a significant challenge that I know we can overcome — together.  

What learning or experience has stuck with you since you joined?
This organization doesn’t measure progress by science alone. We measure it by how research, resources, and relationships actually touch people’s lives — how they create moments where someone feels understood, supported, and hopeful. 

That lens shapes how I lead and how I build partnerships. I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible people across our Walk with Us to Cure Lupus events, the Breaking Through Gala, research convenings, and countless virtual conversations. Every one of those interactions reminds me that our impact is as much about human connection as it is about scientific discovery. 

What excites you most about the direction the organization is headed?
What excites me most is the intentional way we’re aligning strategy, storytelling, and science. We’re strengthening partnerships, investing in data-driven approaches to fundraising and communications, and finding innovative ways to demonstrate the tangible results of their generosity to donors.  

The progress we’re making feels not just exciting — but sustainable for the future.  

How would you describe this moment in lupus research? 
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting, which brings together people living with lupus, industry partners, and researchers. You could feel the energy in every conversation. 

Why? Because this moment in lupus research has been decades in the making.  

The pipeline of potential treatments is stronger than ever, and new therapies, advances in engineered cell treatments, and improved diagnostics give me great optimism for what’s ahead. 

What role do partnerships play in accelerating the mission?
No single organization can solve something as complex as lupus. It takes a shared vision. 

For us, that means working across industries to bring our community together, share knowledge, fund new studies, elevate the voices of people living with lupus in clinical trials, and ultimately move us closer to a cure. 

I’m proud to have so many encouraging conversations with partners who share that same goal — and to work together to find solutions. 

What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn about you?
Lately, I’ve been fueling my creativity outside of work. I’m no Monet, but I’ve started painting landscapes from photos my husband Curtis has taken. It helps me slow down, reset, and — surprisingly — some of my best ideas show up when I’m holding a paintbrush. 

Outside of that, my dog Rosie is the love of my life (alongside my husband, sorry Curtis). 

When you think about the impact you hope to have here, what do you want your legacy at the organization to be?
I want my time here to be defined by building. That means building stronger pathways for scientific discovery, building deeper trust with our community, and building a culture where people feel empowered to do their best work in service of bold outcomes.  

If, years from now, the Lupus Research Alliance is accelerating impact faster than ever — and the team feels proud of what we created together — I’ll know I made a meaningful contribution. 

What keeps you going?
The people. I am inspired every day by the people in this community — from those living with lupus, our staff, donors, researchers, clinicians, and all our partners. They are what keeps me going. I want to do right by them.  

Looking Ahead
As the Lupus Research Alliance heads into the season of giving, Nicole remains focused on what drives her most — collaboration, community, and cure.  

 “Breakthroughs don’t happen without bold investment,” she says. “Every gift — large or small—propels discovery, drives new ideas into action, and improves lives today — while bringing us closer to the cure we’re all working toward.” 

To help fuel that mission, click here.  

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