Staff

Amy Comstock RickAmy Comstock Rick, J.D.
Chief Executive Officer  – Send Amy an e-mail.
 
Ms. Rick is the Chief Executive Officer of Parkinson’s Action Network.  Before joining PAN in 2003, she served as the Director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, having accepted the nomination to the Senate-confirmed position in 1999.  Prior to her appointment to the Office of Government Ethics, Ms. Rick was Associate Counsel to the President in the White House Counsel’s Office.  Ms. Rick began her federal service as an attorney at the U.S. Department of Education in 1988; she ended her tenure there in 1998 as Assistant General Counsel for Ethics.  Ms. Rick began her professional career at the law firm of Beveridge & Diamond.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan.

Emilio Arocho
IT Manager

Emilio manages the day-to-day functioning of PAN's information technology.  His duties include design and deployment of Web site content and other digital communication, as well as hardware and software maintenance.  Send Emilio an e-mail.
 
Emilio is a graduate from Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned a philosophy degree and a minor in computer science.  He is delighted to be working with PAN in combating Parkinson's disease.

Carol Blymire
Director of Communications

Carol oversees PAN's communications activities, and works across the organization to support events, legislative outreach, and grassroots advocacy efforts. Send Carol an e-mail.
 
Carol brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in communications and public affairs across business, public policy, non- profit, and entertainment sectors.  Prior to joining PAN, Carol served as a high-level strategic communications consultant in the fields of embryonic stem cell policy, consumer packaged goods, television entertainment, education policy, agriculture and food, as well as disability advocacy.  Carol has served as corporate spokesperson for MCI, Fannie Mae, and Discovery Channel, and began her career in the speechwriting office for President George H. W. Bush.  Carol earned her undergraduate degree from The George Washington University, and studied in the Harvard-MIT Public Disputes Program.  She is an adjunct professor in the graduate communications program at Georgetown University.

Hayley Carpenter
Director of Outreach

Hayley runs PAN’s national grassroots program, made up of volunteer advocates from across the country.  In addition, she plans PAN’s annual conference, the Public Policy Forum.  Send Hayley an e-mail.
 
Hayley joined PAN in 2006 as a Program Assistant.  In 2008, she became the Director of Outreach, managing PAN’s grassroots advocacy program and the annual Public Policy Forum.  Prior to joining PAN, she worked at the Campagna Center, a non-profit organization serving the children and families of Alexandria, Virginia.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Virginia Tech.

Michelle Duelley
Manager, Administration and Executive Assistant to the CEO

Michelle assists the PAN CEO and oversees the accounting, administrative, and human resource functions.  Send Michelle an e-mail.
 
Michelle comes to PAN with 20 years of administrative experience.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Political Science.  Knowing from personal experience the effects of Parkinson’s disease, Michelle was drawn to PAN’s mission and hard work in support of the Parkinson’s community. 

Craig Evans
Director of Development/Individual Giving

Craig is responsible for the development and implementation of PAN’s individual gifts program that includes major gifts, annual fund, donor services, stewardship and individual giving communications.  Send Craig an e-mail.
 
Joining PAN in October 2009, Craig brings with him over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector with a broad range of experience in fund development, including individual, corporate, foundation and government philanthropy.  He previously worked as the Associate Director of National Membership and Donor Services at GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).  He also worked in development for the Washington State University Museum of Art, the Washington Health Foundation, and Rainier Scholars.  Craig graduated with a Masters in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University.  He hopes to make a difference supporting the Parkinson's community and making sure that we are doing everything possible to find a cure.

Elizabeth Kwasnik
Program Assistant

Send Elizabeth an e-mail.
 
Elizabeth joined PAN in September 2010 as the Administrative Assistant, after graduating from The College of William & Mary with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. She has since earned a Master of Forensic Science degree from George Washington University. Having a personal connection to the disease, Elizabeth is proud to be part of PAN and the fight against Parkinson’s.

Rebecca W. O'Connor, JD
Director of Government Relations - Send Rebecca an e-mail.
 
Becca joined PAN in May 2011 bringing extensive experience in state government and the nonprofit sector.  Most recently, she directed policy for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of victims and survivors.  Becca received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and a Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School.

Catherine Pugh
Program Assistant - Send Catherine an e-mail. 
 
Catherine joined PAN in January 2011 after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with a minor in Public Administration and Policy from American University. She hopes to put her passion for politics and advocacy to use in helping the Parkinson’s community.

Gianna Tripodi-Bhise
Director of Development/Corporate & Foundation Giving

Gianna is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of corporate, foundation and institutional fundraising for PAN.  Gianna also manages PAN's annual fundraising event--the Morris K. Udall Awards Dinner.  Send Gianna an e-mail.
 
Gianna joined PAN in 2005.  She has 22 years of experience in leading the development efforts of a variety of health and human services organizations including six years with Easter Seals, five years with the World Game Institute, two years with the National Research Center for Women and Families (NRC), two years with the Metropolitan Center for Assault Prevention (MetroCap), and two years with Radio Bilingue, Inc.  She is passionate about PAN’s mission and enjoys working with PAN’s staff and Board of Directors to increase the organization’s funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals throughout the country. Gianna has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA and a Masters in Business Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.