Board of Directors

Like our powerful grassroots network, the PAN Board of Directors is a highly motivated group of individuals who are determined to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease. Each of them have personally felt the devastating effects of Parkinson’s, many by being diagnosed with the disease themselves and others because of a loved one who has PD. With their strong voice, both in Washington, DC and across the country, Board Members lead our advocacy efforts as we work together to affect change.

Ronald H. Galowich, J.D., Chair – Illinois
Ronald H. Galowich founded Initiate Systems, Inc., an international software company in October 1994 and has served as a member of the Board of Directors and as its Chairman since its inception.  He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer from October 1994 to July 2002.  Mr. Galowich was a co-founder of First Health Group Corp., a publicly traded healthcare cost containment company, and held various executive positions, including secretary, general counsel, and executive vice president while also serving as a Director of the company from June 1982 to February 2005 and as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.  He was the Director of Real Estate Operations for the Pritzker Family from April 1981 to November 1990.  Ron serves on the boards of directors of a number of private and not-for-profit corporations, including as a member and Past President of the Board of Visitors of the University of Illinois College of Law and a member of the Executive Committee of the Cancer Leadership Institute of Rush University Medical Center.  Mr. Galowich actively practiced law from 1959 until 1981 during which time he was also a major real estate developer in Joliet, Illinois.  He served in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corp. and Judge Advocate General Corp. with the rank of Captain.  He holds a B.S. and a J.D. from University of Illinois. Mr. Galowich joined the PAN Board in 2008. Mr. Galowich is married to the former Linda Kroupa and they reside in Chicago, Illinois.

Monnie Lindsay, J.D.,  Vice Chair – Nebraska
Monnie Lindsay has been PAN’s Nebraska state coordinator since 2005 and served as a member of PAN’s grassroots legislative policy committee from 2006-2009.  After graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, she practiced law at Sidley & Austin.  She later became Assistant General Counsel at Loyola University Medical Center.  She has been active with both the Chicago and Nebraska chapters of the APDA.  Ms. Lindsay also serves on the committee overseeing the Nebraska Parkinson’s registry.  She is a member of the Parkinson’s Disease Working Group of the Collaborative on Health and the Environment.  She co-authored the Parkinson’s community’s suggested new definition of Parkinson’s disease for the Department of Health and Human Services.  Ms. Lindsay joined the PAN Board in 2006.

Jodie T. Allen, Treasurer – Washington, D.C.
Jodie Allen serves as Senior Editor at The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.  Prior to joining The Pew Research Center, Ms. Allen worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she was a managing editor and the author of a column on the political economy.  Ms. Allen also served as Washington bureau chief for Slate magazine, editor of The Washington Post "Outlook" section and a member of the Post’s editorial page staff.  In addition, Allen spent part of her career as a policy analyst, focusing on demographic and political trends affecting tax and transfer payment programs.  Ms. Allen joined the PAN board in December 2008.

Greg Wasson, J.D., Secretary – California
Greg Wasson has spent a decade as an active member of the Parkinson’s community, most of which has been spent as an advocate with PAN. He helped design and implement PAN’s National Grassroots Advocacy Program, working closely with former Board Member, John Rogers. Pursuant to recruiting grassroots advocates, Greg and his wife AJ, traveled more than a million miles by air and auto, over nearly two years, speaking about advocacy through PAN. Greg has testified numerous times before the California State Legislature to help pass the first legislation in the U.S. to specifically fund embryonic stem cell research. He also testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee as a patient advocate in favor of regenerative medicine. Greg was also on the working group that helped pass California’s $3 billion stem cell initiative, Prop 71. He has also served on the PAN Grassroots Policy Committee and as a Senior Advisor for legislative issues at PAN.

Frank C. Carlucci – Washington, D.C.
Frank Carlucci has been a Managing Director of the Carlyle Group since 1989, Chairman since 1993 and Chairman Emeritus since January 2003.  Mr. Carlucci was Secretary of Defense from November 1987 through January 1989, following his service as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs under President Reagan.  Before serving in these positions, Mr. Carlucci was Chairman and CEO of Sears World Trade, a business he joined in 1983.  Mr. Carlucci preceded his affiliation with Sears World Trade with a career in government service, which included Deputy Secretary of Defense (1980-82), Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (1978-80), U.S. Ambassador to Portugal (1975-78), Under Secretary of Health Education and Welfare (1973-75), Deputy Director of OMB (1970-72), and Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity (1969).  Mr. Carlucci was a Foreign Service Officer from 1956 to 1980 and he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954.  Mr. Carlucci began his service to the PAN Board in January 2005.

Robin Anthony Elliott – New York
Mr. Elliott has been Executive Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Inc. (PDF) since October 1996.  He has been active in development, communications, and not-for-profit management in New York City for more than 30 years.  In that time, he has served as Vice President for Development and External Affairs at Teachers College, Columbia University (1988-95) and (with the same title) at Hunter College, City University of New York (1982-88); as Deputy to the Chancellor for University Relations at the City University of New York (1979-82); and as director of information and education at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (1971-79).  Mr. Elliott began his service to the PAN Board in March 1998.

Katie Hood – New York
Katie Hood was named Chief Executive Officer of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) in December 2007.  She has played critical roles in shaping MJFF’s strategy of intervening aggressively to close critical gaps that slow potential treatments on their path from the laboratory to Parkinson’s patients, as well as in building a team of in-house research experts needed to implement that strategy.  Prior to joining the Foundation in September 2002, Ms. Hood was employed as a consultant at Bain & Company in New York City, doing work in the consumer products, financial services, and nonprofit sectors.  She has also served as an analyst in the Credit Department of Goldman, Sachs & Co., and as a program coordinator with Duke University's Hart Leadership Program.  Ms. Hood graduated from Harvard Business School, and holds a B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University. Ms. Hood joined PAN’s Board of Directors in January 2008.

Morton Kondracke – Washington, D.C.
Morton Kondracke is the Executive Editor of the Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, a columnist, and commentator for Fox News.  He is also the author of Saving Milly: Love, Politics and Parkinson's Disease, published in 2001.  Mr. Kondracke also serves on the Board of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  His late wife, Milly Kondracke, lost her long struggle with Parkinson's disease in July 2004.  Mr. Kondracke began his service on the PAN Board in April 1996.

Barbara Kupperman – Virginia
In addition to serving on PAN’s Board, Barbara Kupperman is also on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Spirituality and Health at George Washington University Medical School.  Ms. Kupperman has been involved in political and non-profit fundraising for over 30 years, including her work with Sen. Robert Dole, The National Journal, The Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Republican National Convention, and the U.S. Committee for the Battle of Normandy Museum.  Ms. Kupperman is originally from Georgia, but now resides in Alexandria, Virginia.  She was married to the late Robert H. Kupperman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 16 years ago and died in 2006.  Ms. Kupperman was elected to the PAN Board in July 2005.

Joyce A. Oberdorf – Florida
Ms. Oberdorf was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Parkinson Foundation in March 2008.  Prior to her position at NPF, Ms. Oberdorf was Vice President, Policy, Planning and Communications for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  In that role, she was responsible for strategic planning projects, public policy and communications and marketing. Prior to joining the Fox Foundation, Ms. Oberdorf was Vice President, Corporate Public Relations at Aetna Inc., one of the nation’s leading health insurance providers.  In addition to oversight of all corporate and financial communications, as part of the senior management team, she was also tapped to help devise strategies for broader projects, such as corporate center restructuring and revamping health business products to be more consumer-centric.  Ms. Oberdorf holds an A.B. degree, cum laude, from Douglass College, Rutgers University and an M. A. degree from Northern Illinois University.

Cheryl Lynn Prescott – Wisconsin
Cheryl Lynn Prescott has served as a PAN Congressional Coordinator for the 5th Congressional District of Wisconsin since 2004.  Her father, George Prescott, the former owner and chief executive officer of Prescott Supermarkets, Inc., announced his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2001.  Ms. Prescott is also on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association, an organization of over 7,000 members and 60 support groups.  She was elected to the PAN Board in October 2005.

Karl A. Robb – Virginia
Karl Robb began his involvement with Parkinson’s disease advocacy soon after his diagnosis in 1990. He has been a PAN advocate since the inception of the organization. In 1995, his wife, Angela, joined him in his Parkinson’s disease advocacy efforts. Karl and Angela serve as PAN State Coordinators for Virginia. Karl is always willing to assist PAN, whether it is a last-minute meeting with Members of Congress or speaking on behalf of PAN in the media. He works to educate his local community on Parkinson’s disease. Karl has represented PAN, appearing on local Washington, DC newscasts, local access television, BBC Radio, and national news channels to speak about living with Parkinson’s disease and issues affecting the Parkinson’s community. Karl and Angela speak at a wide range of support groups, conferences, and symposia to alert people to the importance of advocating on behalf of PAN. The two were recognized by PAN for their advocacy efforts in 2008 with the Murray Charters Award For Outstanding Service to the Parkinson’s Community. Karl is finishing a book on Parkinson’s disease and is an avid photographer. Karl and Angela live in Fairfax, VA with their dog and cat.

Carol Walton – New Jersey
Carol Walton’s dedication to advocacy started in 1981, when her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  In 1994, Carol attended the PAN Research & Public Policy Forum and became an advocate for research.  She spent a lot of time walking the halls of Congress - and helped to get the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act passed in 1997.  During the Forum, she met Margaret and Martin Tuchman who were also advocates and wanted to raise funds for research.  They offered Carol the opportunity to head their foundation.  In 1999, Walton moved to New Jersey to start the Parkinson Alliance.