American Parkinson Disease Association
Our Vision: A world without Parkinson’s disease.
Our Mission: Every day, we provide the support, education, research, and community that helps everyone impacted by Parkinson’s disease live life to the fullest.
About APDA: The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) by providing the support, education, research, and community that helps everyone impacted by PD live life to the fullest. Through a nationwide grassroots network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, APDA works tirelessly to raise public awareness of this chronic neurologic movement disorder and deliver outstanding patient services, resources, and educational and wellness programs to the approximately one million people living with PD in the United States and their care partners and families. Envisioning a world without PD, APDA’s national research program and Centers for Advanced Research aim to provide better treatments and unlock the mysteries of the disease. APDA is also committed to advancing public policy solutions that improve lives and move us toward a cure. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $338 million in its efforts to support the PD community.
Executive Leadership
Leslie A.
Chambers, MSPH
President & CEO
Michelle Harman
McDonald, MSW, LSW
Chief Operating Officer
Email Michelle
Rebecca
Gilbert, MD, PhD
Chief Mission Officer
Email Rebecca
Anne
Hubbard, MBA
Chief Public Policy Officer
Email Anne
Senior Leadership
Eloise Caggiano
Senior Vice President, Marketing
& Communications
Email Eloise
Rosa Peña, MSW
Senior Vice President,
Programs & Services
Email Rosa
Sharlene Bagga- Tavas
Vice President, Federal Relations
Email Sharlene
Garraud Etienne
Vice President, Finance and Administration
Email Garraud
Heather Hays, OTR, MHA,
FACHE, CFRE
Vice President, Development
Email Heather
Jean Allenbach
Regional Director –
West, Upper Midwest, and Southeast
Email Jean
Charlene Allo
National Director, Field Operations & Training
Email Charlene
Catherine Krane
Regional Director –
Midwest
Email Cathy
Bill Patjane
Regional Director –
Northeast
Email Bill
Scientific Advisory Board
David G. Standaert, MD, PhD
Chair
Board of Directors
Bernard F. Battista
Chair
Executive Committee
Donna J.C. Fanelli, DNP
Vice Chair
Patrick F. McDermott, CLU, ChFC, CAP
Treasurer
Elena Maestrone Imperato
Secretary
J. Zoë Beckerman,
JD, MPH
Member
Board Members
Sally Ann Esposito Browne
Lisa Esposito, DVM
Adalynn E. Harris-Ketewa PhD, MPH, MHA
Howard Lenn
Madeleine Shea, PhD
Sara Whittingham, MD
Mario Esposito – Emeritus Member
Scientific Advisory Board Chair
David G. Standaert, MD, PhD
Honorary Chair of the Board of Directors
Thomas K. Penett, Esq. (served 2000-2025)
Vincent Gattullo (served 1986–2017)
Fred Greene (served 1992-2016)
APDA Voices of Parkinson’s Council
The APDA Voices of Parkinson’s Council ensures that the perspectives and priorities of the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community always play a role in our work. The experiences and insights of people living with PD and their care partners inform and enhance our programming, research initiatives, advocacy efforts, and resource development. Their input helps us better serve the community, and we are grateful for their participation.
George Ackerman, FL
Fanchon Auman, MO
Suzanne Cameron, WA
Angela Craig, IL
Jennifer Crowder, CT
Peggy Dean, OR
Joe Ferguson, VA
Keith Fritz, IA
Sharon Gillardi, MO
Theresa Ho, VA
Cara Lowen, MA
Stacey Mihaly, RI
Melissa Morante, FL
Lori Maureen Phillips, FL
Bill Ryan, WI
Jocelyn Sotomayor, GA
Luis Torrez Jr., CA
Dr. Maureen Whelihan, FL