American Diabetes Assoc. Honors Wellesley Resident as 'Father of the Year'

The American Diabetes Association announced Mark McKenna, Head of Global Marketing at Putnam Investments, as one of four 2012 Father of the Year Honorees. McKenna was honored at the annual Father of the Year Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 12, at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.

Also being honored at this year’s event was Frederick A. Kramer, President of ADD Inc, Scott Connolly, Athletic Director of Salem Public Schools & Head Football Coach at Salem High School, and Eric A. Kraus, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Covidien.

Each year, the American Diabetes Association and the Boston Father’s Day Council presents the Father of the Year Award to outstanding gentlemen, who are local business and community leaders, for balancing a highly successful career with the demands of being a great dad.

As Head of Global Marketing at Putnam Investments, McKenna is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of the company’s marketing, Internet, e-commerce, advertising, mobile, and social media initiatives.

McKenna serves on the business boards of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and public media organization WGBH. He is a founding board member of the In-house Agency Forum, and has served on the board of Families First, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based parenting education and support network.

McKenna graduated from the University of Vermont. He resides in Wellesley with his wife, Wendi, and their five children.

As an honoree, McKenna has made a commitment to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The event raised $340,000 to benefit diabetes research, education and advocacy.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults. It affects nearly 25.8 million people – 8.3 percent of the population. Of the 25.8 million, 18.8 million have been diagnosed, while 7 million Americans are living with diabetes but remain unaware.

The dinner event featured heartwarming tribute videos for each honoree, remarks by their families, and the presentation of the Father of the Year Tribute Trophy.