In this series we hear from MJFF staff on their travels, past and future, as they attend conferences, Team Fox events, support group meetings, and more. They share their goals and reflect on their experiences.

MJFF’s Advancement Officers and Associate Directors of Advancement work together to cover specific territories—helping us staying connected to an ever-widening circle of supporters and helping them stay informed about the latest news in Parkinson’s research. Advancement Officer Madhavi Rao, better known as “Mod,” manages our relationships on the West Coast with Senior Associate Director of Advancement, Veronique Enos Kaefer. Mod just returned from a week-long trip to the Bay area, where MJFF hosted a Research Roundtable and the Team Fox Young Professionals of San Francisco threw a premiere party for “The Michael J. Fox Show.” She shares her goals and her favorite moments.

“The goal of our Research Roundtables is to educate the local community on what’s going on in the Parkinson’s field. These events also give people the chance to meet their local PD experts, who often sit on the panel, and to meet other patients and families. What was great about this Roundtable in Menlo Park is that many of the 70 guests were also new to MJFF, so it was an opportunity for us to connect with more folks on the ground. One guest shared with me how understandable the conversation was, even though it was highly scientific. Another mentioned how encouraging it was to hear about the latest research developments for PD. Patients and families aren’t the only ones who gain something from these panels—I learn so much, too.”

“The premiere party hosted by the San Francisco YPs was another opportunity to connect—just in a different setting. I enjoyed catching up with our core YP members, along with other Team Fox members and our new West Coast colleague Ken Kubota, Director of Data Science for Research Programs. All 30 of us were so excited to see the premiere. It was a fun way to wrap up a great trip!”