MDG Founding Partner and President, W. Michael Gretschel, passed away in early December 2024. Mike shepherded MDG from a fledgling agency, and along the way, he helped hundreds of organizations raise hundreds of millions of dollars. This success earned Mike nationwide recognition as a trendsetter with an innovative and creative mind.

As an industry leader, Mike was a featured speaker at numerous direct-marketing conferences across the country. He was involved with a variety of industry trade organizations and served on the Board of Directors of the Direct Marketing Association of Washington, DC.

In 1993, Mike co-founded the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) and served as its volunteer president. Under Mike’s leadership, DRWF went on to open affiliates in the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland and Norway – all of whom provide diabetes awareness, information and support to their respective diabetes communities, whilst providing essential research funding for young and established scientists pursuing innovative research studies. His motivation was the ever-increasing and staggering global diabetes statistics and his belief that we had to make a difference across nations.

In addition to his diabetes leadership, Mike served on the board of trustees of several non-profit groups throughout metropolitan Washington, DC, including Good Counsel High School, Catholic Charities and the Smyth Fund of Blessed Sacrament School. He and his wife, Maureen, chaired the Catholic Charities Foundation benefit gala in 2002 and were active in many charitable efforts for the Catholic Church.

Mike was an adventurous world traveler and outdoor enthusiast and took great pride in hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (and back to the top) six times. He was also an enthusiastic fisherman. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, four children and 14 grandchildren, who lovingly refer to him as “Big Mike”.

We at MDG are committed to carrying forward Mike’s vision and values. His legacy inspires us to continue supporting nonprofits with passion and excellence, just as he did throughout his remarkable life. In his memory, we invite you to learn more about the causes Mike championed, including the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, and consider supporting their vital work.