Patty Keating
Patty Keating is a dedicated nonprofit executive and patient advocate serving as Executive Director of the HypoPARAthyroidism Association in the Washington, DC–Baltimore area. She has held this role for the past several years following approximately six years of active volunteer service with the organization. Patty’s leadership is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a hypoparathyroidism patient for over a decade. What began as a search for support and understanding evolved into a passionate commitment to advocacy, ultimately leading her to guide the organization’s mission of expanding education, resources, and community for patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners. Her work is driven by the belief that individuals living with rare diseases deserve not only care, but empowerment and a pathway to living fully.
Patty’s decision to transition into full-time nonprofit leadership came at a pivotal moment for the hypoparathyroidism community, as new treatment options emerged and additional therapies advanced through the pipeline. Recognizing the growing needs of the community, she stepped away from her corporate career to apply her decades of leadership experience toward building and strengthening the Association. Under her direction, the organization continues to evolve into a vital hub of support and advocacy, amplifying patient voices and fostering collaboration across the healthcare landscape. Patty approaches her work with a profound sense of purpose, committed to helping patients navigate a lifelong condition and equipping them with the tools to thrive rather than simply cope.
Prior to her nonprofit leadership, Patty built a distinguished career of more than 30 years in senior operational roles within the beauty and retail industries, including leadership positions at Ratner Companies. There, she oversaw multi-unit operations, led high-performing teams, launched new markets, and implemented training and development programs that drove both growth and organizational culture. Known for her people-first leadership style, Patty has consistently demonstrated an ability to inspire, mentor, and elevate those around her. Outside of her professional life, she is a licensed real estate agent, devoted wife of over 40 years, proud mother, and grandmother who enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and attending Broadway shows.
• Licensed Real Estate Agent
• Hypoparathyroidism Association, Inc. (HPTH Assoc., Inc.)
What do you attribute your success to?
I consider myself a really good listener. I'm not ever going to be the loudest person in the room, but I'm going to be the one that takes it all in from others and then figure out what would be a good addition.
I think it really comes down to being strategic, listening closely and recognizing what was happening across the hypoparathyroidism landscape, then anticipating what the community would need next. From there, it was about applying those leadership skills in a meaningful way.
Over the past few years, our organization has truly catapulted as a result of being able to connect those pieces, taking action where we can have impact, while also being thoughtful enough to step back from opportunities that don’t yet align with our current resources or capacity.
At the core, it’s about creating a clear vision and being intentional and strategic in how we execute it.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice for young people is, really believe in yourself, that it's okay to make mistakes as you go through, because those mistakes are probably more profound lessons that are going to catapult you forward more--than actually your successes that happen.
It’s about being willing to own your mistakes and ask, how could I have done that differently? how could I have made it better?—and then using that to move forward.
But just as important is believing that it’s okay to make those mistakes in the first place. If you’re not making them, you’re probably not taking risks—and that’s where growth happens.
That self-talk, that belief in yourself, is everything. It’s about not constantly doubting what you’re doing, but trusting yourself enough to go for it. And if something doesn’t work or needs adjusting, that’s okay. It doesn’t make you less than—it means you were brave enough to try something new and different.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For so long, hypoparathyroidism was overlooked, and now we’re finally seeing real momentum--new therapies, increased awareness, and stronger patient voices. But one of the ongoing challenges is ensuring that this progress is matched by clinician awareness and a willingness to fully understand and engage with the complexity of the disease.
The goal isn’t just awareness, it’s confidence in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating patients appropriately, and being open to evolving standards of care with new therapies and not just treating the calcium but the whole person.
At the same time, that’s where the opportunity lies. We’re not starting from scratch anymore—we’re building on real progress. And right now, we have the ability to shape what comes next, ensuring that patient voices are at the center, and that both innovation and clinical practice truly translate into better, more equitable care.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, it all comes back to integrity, staying true to who I am while navigating the space between patients, clinicians, and industry, and making decisions that reflect that.
I’m deeply committed to keeping patients at the center, not just in words, but in action—ensuring their voices are heard, respected, and meaningfully represented.
And I believe in showing up—consistently, authentically, and with purpose, because that’s how trust is built, and how real, lasting impact happens.
Locations
HypoPARAthyroidism Association
Aldie, VA 20105