Leslie A. Chambers, MSPH
President and CEO
Leslie Chambers was appointed President and CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association in August 2012, bringing to the role a rich background in successful leadership and management experience with more than 30 years in the non-profit, voluntary health sector.
Throughout her tenure with APDA, Leslie’s leadership has resulted in an increased scope and impact of its patient-focused programs and services, educational initiatives, and expanded portfolio of its research funding. She continues to push APDA forward with the drive and focus necessary to fulfill APDA’s mission of helping everyone impacted by Parkinson’s disease live life to the fullest. Leslie leads a team that is responsible for implementing the nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease, and together they work tirelessly every day to deliver impactful programs and services to local communities across the country including those who are underrepresented, underserved, and understudied across the PD continuum.
Prior to her role at APDA, Leslie held leadership positions with several major non-profit health organizations including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts, in the fields of human nutrition and public health. In 2016, Leslie was recognized by the Dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences from her alma mater, The University of Massachusetts, for her lifetime career of “Significant Contributions to the Field of Public Health and Health Sciences.”
Since her first day at APDA. Leslie has been a passionate advocate for the Parkinson’s community and looks forward to the day when “the mysteries of Parkinson’s disease have been solved – once and for all.”