Lynn Hagerbrant
Co-Chair, MJFF Patient Council
Greenwich, Connecticut
"My mother and I both have Parkinson's disease, so I am both a caregiver and a woman who faces PD. I share the research updates and other valuable news from the Foundation with my local support group and others who have Parkinson's to help instill hope and optimism."
Bret Parker
Co-Chair, MJFF Patient Council
New York, New York
"Always remember that PD is different for each person, what works for others may not work for you. Stay mentally and physically active. Keep a sense of humor. And while Parkinson’s is an important part of your life, it doesn’t define you."
Matt Ackerman
Palo Alto, California
Matt Ackerman attended the University of California at Berkeley where he graduated with a degree in Accounting and earned an MBA in Finance from Cornell University.
Bill Bucklew
Wilmette, Illinois
Bill retired from his role as Chief Innovation Officer for Berkshire Hathaway’s The Pampered Chef in 2020 after a successful career running large global operations designing and developing solutions to consumer problems. Bill also is an inventor holding dozens of Patents from his work in a myriad of industries from space technology & industrial equipment to housewares.
Ken Cater
Birmingham, Alabama
Ken is an engineer and former president and managing partner of CRS Engineering and Design Consultants. In 2005, at the age of 42, he received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and immediately became interested in research efforts, particularly those taking place at University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Leonard Chandler
Helena, Alabama
Leonard Chandler is actively involved in helping advance progress for those living with Parkinson’s disease. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, he began participating in Parkinson’s research.
Jimmy Choi
Bolingbrook, Illinois
Jimmy Choi serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Moravia. In 2003, Jimmy was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease at age 27.
Denise Coley
Morgan Hill, California
For more than two decades, Mrs. Coley’s leadership and vision had a significant impact in the world’s global, national, and local supplier diversity business development activities. Marginalized communities benefited from her leadership, advocacy, mentorships and programming all aimed at growing and sustaining their businesses.
Currently, Denise has repurposed her skills, talents and time in support of individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s Disease and Health Disparities.
Currently, Denise has repurposed her skills, talents and time in support of individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s Disease and Health Disparities.
Anne Cohn Donnelly, D.P.H.
Winnetka, Illinois
"A Parkinson's diagnosis is shocking. It can take time to accept it. Give yourself the time."
Fiona Davis
New York, New York
“I’ve found connecting with others with the disease to be a valuable resource when it comes to support and advice, as well as keeping up my sense of humor. Our power is in our collective voice, which is why I’m excited to be a member of the Patient Council.”
María L. De León, MD
Nacogdoches, Texas
María L. De León, MD, is a fellowship trained movement disorder specialist as well as an avid research advocate.
Peter DiBiaso
Paris, France, Boston, Massachusetts
“It comes down to patient centricity – putting patients at the center of the clinical research enterprise. Here’s my message: get involved, get committed. If all of us participate in just one clinical study, it would make a huge, significant difference in speeding up the development timelines. We hear so much about the negative aspects but there is so much good being done.”
Hadley Ferguson
Missoula, Montana
Hadley Ferguson is a patient activist and artist. She was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2010, but as her symptoms progressed, the diagnosis changed three years later to multiple system atrophy (MSA-P), an atypical Parkinsonism.
Michael S. Fitts
Alabaster, Alabama
Michael S. Fitts serves as assistant dean for user access and diversity at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB Libraries). He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 at age 38.
Larry Gifford
Vancouver, British Columbia
Larry Gifford has spent nearly 30 years on radio and is currently the National Director of AM Radio for Corus Entertainment in Canada.
Ethan Henderson
Tucson, Arizona
Ethan received his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson's disease in 2016. However, his deep involvement goes back to 2001 when his father was diagnosed with PD.
Kathy Holden
Ellicott City, Maryland
“Working to connect the newest patients with others, in person or through social media, is an ongoing passion. No one should have to navigate this alone. I will work for a cure as hard as I can, for as long as I can. I do it because I can, with the hope that when I cannot, someone else will.”
Richard Huckabee
Macedonia, Ohio
Richard serves in many capacities in the Parkinson’s community, including as a member of the MJFF Patient Council, as one of The PD Movers, as a Parkinson Foundation Aware in Care Ambassador and Research Advocate.
Yvonne Jackson
Rancho Mirage, California and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Yvonne was diagnosed with Parkinson's alongside her husband Fred. After this she became a fierce advocate for the PD community, using her expertise in corporate governance and non-profit leadership to serve the community.
Karen Jaffe, MD
Cleveland, Ohio
"The Patient Council has allowed me to bring the work of the Foundation back to my community; educating the Parkinson's community on what is happening, and how they can help keep the momentum going."
Donna Krenicki
Longboat Key, Florida and Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Donna was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at 49. Since then, she believes she has kept her symptoms under control by actively using her body and mind, as well as following her medication routine. She looks forward to promoting this as a patient advocate.
Sebastian Krys
Woodland Hills, California
Sebastian is an Argentine-born American audio engineer and record producer. He’s a seven-time Grammy and 13-time Latin Grammy winner, including the Producer of the Year trophies in 2007 and 2015.
Kevin Kwok, PharmD
Boulder, Colorado
“The Tao, or road through Parkinson’s, starts off unwanted and unexpected. Given no roadmap, it is up to each of us to chart our own journey. My path, has been illuminated by the energy and spirit of my fellow advocates, who collectively contribute towards the cure with their wisdom and patient experience, while living each day at its best…”
Wanda Kim Lilley
London, United Kingdom
Wanda lives with her husband in England and France and looks forward to expanding awareness of Parkinson’s and support for the MJFF in her communities. She was particularly pleased to organize over 20 friends from Chamonix, France to ride in the 2022 Tour de Fox.
Sheryl Lowenhar
“I am excited about participating in the MJFF Patient Council. The work and dedication of the MJFF staff and volunteers is inspiring. We all have the same goal - to find a cure. It is an honor to be a small part of a large team urgently striving to reach this goal.”
Soania Mathur, MD
Ontario, Canada
"As a physician and a patient, I wanted to be part of an organization dedicated to supporting research to find better treatments and a cure. Most importantly, I wanted to find a foundation that was fully dedicated to the PD community. I found all of that and more in MJFF."
Rebecca Miller, PhD
New Haven, Connecticut
“The power of the patient voice in directing research and partnering with researchers and clinicians is essential in moving forward and pursuing a cure for Parkinson’s. That is why being a part of the Fox Foundation Patient Council is so important to me.”
Hilton Mirels, MD
Rye, New York
Hilton Mirels, MD, is currently in private practice in Westchester County, affiliated with Montefiore/Sound Shore Medical Center and also on the orthopedic staff of The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
Jim McNasby
New York, New York
Jim McNasby started with the Foundation on March 16, 2020. His team provides legal and compliance advice to the Foundation and its senior leadership.
Patrick Morrissey
Durango, Colorado
Patrick Morrissey is a professional engineer, former NCAA Division 1 wrestler and lifelong multisport athlete.
Julie Ocko
Boston, Massachusetts
Julie was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2018 and has been committed to finding ways to advance research that will slow, stop or reverse the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Matthew Peck
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Matt is Co-Founder and COO of Cambridge, Massachusetts based DaCapo Brainscience, a biotechnology company whose mission is to develop some of the first disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Bill Rasmussen
Seattle, Washington
“Whether Parkinson’s-related or not, the obstacles in my life won’t stop — and I won’t let them stop me. I make workarounds to address the disease and I accept it for what it is. I still enjoy meeting new people. And I continue to be grateful that I can share my story. I hope my life story can help more people — even just one more person.”
Claudia Revilla
Spring, Texas
Claudia Garrido-Revilla was born in Monterrey, Mexico. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 45. She began to take on education and advocacy as a response to her diagnosis. She soon became interested in helping others in her same situation, and in helping research and the search for a cure.
Bryan M. Roberts
Ithaca, New York
"I have never been one to sit on the bench. When I had the opportunity to work with MJFF — an organization that was mission-driven and efficient — I jumped at the opportunity. My outcome is simple: work in whatever capacity is necessary to cure Parkinson's disease."
Israel Robledo
Midland, Texas
"I'm proud to help make a difference for all of us living with PD by lending my voice on a council that focuses on patient priorities, in all aspects of the Foundation's work."
John P. Seibyl
New Haven, Connecticut
John P. Seibyl, MD, is currently Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders and Professsor, adjunct at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Margaret Sheehan
Washington, District of Columbia
"I am inspired by the researchers. The thought that there are really smart people whose job it is to fix my disease gives me hope."
Allie Signorelli
Arlington, Virginia
Allie Signorelli was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's disease at 47 years old. She has been a nonprofit fundraiser and event producer working to raise millions for vital causes.
M. Daniel Suwyn
Savannah, Georgia
"My goal as a member of the Patient Council is to help develop an interactive patient-centric team model for Parkinson's care."
Gary Rafaloff
Marlboro, New Jersey
Gary Rafaloff is a businessman and entrepreneur with over 45 years of professional experience in finance, management, organizational consulting and business development.
George "Sonny" Whelen
George "Sonny" Whelen joined the Board of Directors of The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2011 and the Patient Council in 2025. He is the owner and Executive VP of Whelen Engineering, Co, Inc., which designs, manufactures and assembles safety lighting and siren systems for the emergency warning industry. The company was founded 60 years ago by his father, George W. Whelen III.
Carl Bolch, Jr.
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Atlanta, Georgia
"My participation in MJFF's Patient Council was inspired by my desire to take control, as much as possible, of my own destiny in confronting this disease. Any contribution I might add in advancing a cure is hopefully additive to the talented, diverse members of this important group."
Christopher Chadbourne
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Christopher (Chris) Chadbourne is an architect and photographer. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2008.
Carey Christensen
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Stanwood, Washington
Carey Christensen is a patient activist, writer and speaker. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1999 at age 41, she turned to advocacy in 2002 after losing her longtime staff position at the University of Washington due to the little understood non-motor symptoms of PD.
Quentin Dastugue
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Covington, Louisiana
Quentin Dastugue is chief executive officer and one of the founding partners of Property One, Inc. His over thirty-five years in commercial real estate have included property management, leasing, investment sales, development, construction project management and consulting. Quentin was diagnosed with PD in the fall of 2009 and quickly decided to engage with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to assist in finding a cure.
Steven D. DeWitte
Patient Council Emeritus Member
New Preston, Connecticut
"Parkinson's is what we have, it is not who we are."
David Eger, PhD
Patient Council Emeritus Member
White Plains, New York
David Eger is a psychologist in private clinical practice, with specialties in neuropsychological evaluations of learning disabilities in children and counseling/psychoeducation of people with Parkinson's. Dr. Eger was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2000.
Cynthia Gray
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Orono, Minnesota
"The Foundation is all about collaboration, teamwork and integration across disciplines, organizations, geography and ideas — it's a powerful way to accelerate the path to a cure."
David Iverson
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Oakland, California
"What matters most isn't getting diagnosed with Parkinson's, it's what you do next. The choices we make after we're diagnosed can open doors to possibilities you'd never imagine."
Nicole Jarvis, MD
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Norman, Oklahoma
"Working with the Patient Council and fundraising with Team Fox has helped me live with this disease. I can't change the fact that I have Parkinson's, but I can help change what being a patient with Parkinson's will look like in years to come!"
Richie Rothenberg
Patient Council Emeritus Member
Los Angeles, California
"Hang in there. Read Michael J. Fox's 'Lucky Man.' Exercise, eat right and get involved. Reach out to others who have PD."
Eugenia Brin
Patient Council Legacy
Eugenia (Genia) Brin was a retired research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. She and her family immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet Union in 1979.
Michael R. "Rich" Clifford
Patient Council Legacy
Michael R. (Rich) Clifford was a passionate advocate and activist for people living with Parkinson's disease.
Tony Mendez
Patient Council Legacy
Tony Mendez was a retired CIA officer, an author and an award-winning painter with an international reputation. He resided in Virginia but maintained a gallery and studio on his forty-acre farm in rural Maryland. He passed away on January 19, 2019.
Tom Picone
Patient Council Legacy
Thomas A. Picone was a founding member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council and a leader in the pharmaceutical development field.
Eric Pitcher
Patient Council Legacy
Eric Pitcher was a passionate advocate for the Parkinson's community and generously supported various local charities.
W.N. "Bill" Wilkins
Patient Council Legacy
Bill Wilkins was cofounder of Wilkins Parkinson's Foundation and a media executive. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006.