Senior Management Team

John L. Lehr headshot

John L. Lehr

President & Chief Executive Officer

John guides the overall Foundation’s strategy of mission programs and resources that make life better for people with Parkinson’s. He works to expand the Foundation’s reach, research initiatives and presence, while working to improve health equity among the Parkinson’s community and the underserved. He ensures that all Foundation programs and resources aim to improve care and advance research toward a cure.

James Beck, Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer

James Beck, PhD

Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer

Jim guides the Foundation’s research strategy and critical grants that support research centers, scientists and fellows. He helps ensures the brightest researchers enter and stay in the Parkinson’s field through critically needed Foundation grants. He believes we can make research more efficient and effective when people with Parkinson’s work alongside scientists as advocates.

Yasnahia Cortorreal, Vice President & Chief Human Resources & Administration Officer

Yasnahia Cortorreal

Vice President & Chief Human Resources & Administration Officer

Yasnahia guides all Foundation employee functions in accordance with organization practices. She oversees strategic human resource planning, hiring and retaining employees, while directing administrative functions.

Meri-Margaret Deoudes headshot

Meri-Margaret Deoudes

Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Meri-Margaret serves as the chief senior advisor to the President & CEO. She ensures the alignment of mission priorities and programs with the organization’s strategic plan. Collaborating with staff, she deploys the Foundation’s resources to drive efficiencies and impact for the Parkinson’s Community.

Christiana Evers, Vice President, Chief Community Engagement Officer

Christiana Evers

Vice President, Chief Community Engagement Officer

Christiana guides the Foundation’s development and execution of community engagement activities, including grantmaking, national and community-based programs and public policy efforts, working to reach priority populations. She identifies and responds to the needs of the Parkinson’s community as collaborators and partners.

Kayln Henkel, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer

Kayln Henkel

Senior Vice President, Chief Advancement Officer

Kayln guides and oversees fundraising initiatives, operations and revenue growth that allow the Parkinson’s Foundation to make life better for people with Parkinson’s through essential programs and resources. She oversees national fundraising activities that engage the Parkinson’s community and raise awareness.

Mark Keavey headshot

Mark Keavey

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Mark guides all financial aspects of the Foundation’s operations and information technology. He provides leadership and coordination in business planning, accounting, finance and budgeting functions.

Leilani Pearl, Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer

Leilani Pearl

Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer

Leilani guides the public relations and communications strategy of the Foundation, maximizing reach and Parkinson’s awareness on a national scale. She leads the Foundation’s branding efforts and marketing strategy to help the global Parkinson’s community.

Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard, Vice President & Chief Education and Training Officer

Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard

Vice President & Chief Education and Training Officer

Eli guides the Foundation’s professional education and online programs. She leads the Foundation’s push to ensure that everyone has access to specialized Parkinson’s care. She does this by ensuring healthcare professionals have access to tailored educational courses from early on in their career.

Sheera Rosenfeld, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

Sheera Rosenfeld

Vice President, Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer

Sheera guides the Foundation’s programmatic strategic initiatives, aligning key projects across the organization supporting the mission. With the goal of broad reach and impact for the PD community, she provides leadership and strategic direction for essential care-related programs including hospital care, community neurology outreach and partnerships focused on veterans.

Kelly Austin, Associate Vice President, Development

Kelly Austin

Vice President, Advancement Initiatives

Nicole Yarab, Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Information & Resources

Nicole Lessard

Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Information & Resources

Sara O'Hare, Associate Vice President, Development Operations

Sara O'Hare

Vice President, Operations

Alejandro Blanco headshot

Alejandro Blanco

Associate Vice President, Finance

Adolfo Diaz, Associate Vice President, Information & Resources

Adolfo Diaz

Associate Vice President, Information & Resources

Cathy Whitlock, MS, Associate Vice President, Online Communications

Cathy Whitlock, MS

Associate Vice President, Online Communications

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