Lisa Volonec
Omaha, Nebraska
Lisa Volenec is a former television executive and career journalist dedicated to amplifying the voices of those living with Parkinson’s disease.
Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s in 2014, Lisa kept her diagnosis private for more than a decade while continuing to lead at a high level professionally, most recently serving as General Manager of KMTV, the CBS affiliate in Omaha.
She publicly revealed her diagnosis for the first time in 2024 at The Michael J. Fox Foundation Gala, alongside Stevie Nicks, a close friend who has been a meaningful source of support throughout her journey. A year later, Lisa made the decision to step away from her executive role to focus on advocacy.
Drawing on her background in storytelling, Lisa founded the This Is Parkinson’s nonprofit to elevate authentic patient voices and highlight the diverse, deeply personal experiences of living with the disease.
Today, Lisa is committed to turning her voice into a platform for others, ensuring that every person living with Parkinson’s is not only heard, but impossible to ignore.