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Foundation Leadership

Executive Leadership

Deborah W. Brooks

Deborah W. Brooks

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Deborah W. Brooks is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). Ms. Brooks launched MJFF with Michael J. Fox in 2000 and served as founding CEO until 2007. Since then, she served as Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, overseeing the fundraising and marketing functions of the organization. Ms. Brooks stepped back into the role of CEO in May 2021 to lead the Foundation to an even stronger and more influential position in the Parkinson’s community.
Todd Sherer, PhD

Todd Sherer, PhD

Chief Mission Officer

Todd Sherer, PhD, is Chief Mission Officer of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). Formally trained as a neuroscientist, he is deeply focused on the organization's research strategy, charting a course for the coming era of Parkinson’s discovery and drug development. Todd’s role includes contributing to key research initiatives such as MJFF’s landmark clinical study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative, collaborating with MJFF’s world-class roster of partners including ASAP (Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s) and major entities in biopharma and government, and serving as mentor and strategic advisor to PhDs on staff. Dr. Sherer served as the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer for 10 years, from May 2011 to May 2021.
Sohini Chowdhury, Deputy CEO

Sohini Chowdhury

Chief Program Officer

Research Programs & Partnerships

Sohini joined The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2005. As Chief Program Officer, Sohini oversees the entire research programmatic enterprise, and works closely with the Foundation's executive leadership and Board of Directors in building the organization’s capacity as an unprecedented stakeholder in drug development — a nimble, resourceful, patient-focused problem-solver whose efforts are demonstrably accelerating progress toward treatment breakthroughs and a cure. Since 2017, Sohini served in the role of Deputy CEO and expanded her responsibilities as Head of Research, steering the Foundation’s grant funding and research programs in 2021.
Brian Fiske, Research Programs Senior Vice President.

Brian Fiske, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

Research Programs

Brian joined the Foundation in 2004. As Chief Scientific Officer, Brian works with a team of professionals who stay closely linked to the Parkinson's community in order to develop an aggressive and innovative strategic vision for accelerating research and drug development for Parkinson's disease. This ensures that MJFF priorities reflect and best serve the ultimate needs of patients.
Will Fowler, Chief Financial Officer

Will Fowler

Chief Financial Officer

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Will Fowler joined MJFF in 2018 and leads the Finance, Technology, and Strategy & Planning Departments.
Mark Frasier, Research Programs Senior Vice President.

Mark Frasier, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

Research Programs

Mark Frasier joined the Foundation in 2006. As Chief Scientific Officer, Mark co-manages a team of research professionals who stay closely linked to the Parkinson's research community in order to develop an aggressive and innovative agenda for accelerating research and drug development for Parkinson's disease. This ensures that MJFF research priorities reflect and best serve the ultimate needs of patients.
Holly Teichholtz

Holly Teichholtz

Chief Marketing Officer

Holly oversees the Foundation’s efforts to tell the story of how it is tangibly speeding progress toward a cure for Parkinson's disease.
Jim

Jim McNasby

General Counsel

Jim McNasby started with the Foundation on March 16, 2020. His team provides legal and compliance advice to the Foundation and its senior leadership.
Vanessa Arnedo, Vice President, Research Partnerships.

Vanessa Arnedo

Chief People Officer

Vanessa Arnedo serves as the Chief People Officer at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), where she plays a pivotal role in shaping MJFF’s people strategy in alignment with its mission and strategic priorities. She works closely with MJFF’s executive leadership and the Board of Directors to ensure MJFF attracts, develops, and engages a talented workforce that thrives in an inclusive organizational culture to drive further impact towards the mission.
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