top of page
Untitled design (45).png

Meet the team

DAPS thanks its team of leaders for their continued passion and efforts towards the fulfillment of our mission in providing free resources and classes to the Parkinson's community in the Dallas Metroplex. 

MicrosoftTeams-image (6).png

Leisha Phipps

Executive Director

Leisha came to DAPS in 2019 as the Program Director, following many years in the nonprofit sector, as a clinical social worker, board member and volunteer. Her love for nonprofits began at The Turning Point (Rape Crisis Center) in Plano where she was the Clinical Director for services to those impacted by sexual assault and supervisor to graduate student interns. After retiring from the clinical field, Leisha applied her skills to the administrative side of nonprofits where she served on the Board of Directors at The Turning Point as Chair of Development, Secretary and President. It was here that she discovered that her passion for helping others could be used to develop, grow, and manage small nonprofits. Since her time with DAPS, she has received grant funding through the Parkinson's Foundation, expanded services and added the position of Community Liaison to the team. Leisha was promoted to the role of Executive Director in 2022 and is honored to be able to lead DAPS. 

Untitled design (19).png

Keisha Hill

Events Specialist

Keisha comes to DAPS with over 20 years of experience in the event management field. Her background includes working with the National Institutes of Health and various non-profit organizations. She stays busy as a regular volunteer of the SPCA of Texas and PTA of her children’s schools.

Untitled design (20).png

Amber Shoevlin

Administrative Office Coordinator

Amber comes to DAPS with many years of administrative experience. Having grown up in Northern California, she loves nature and traveling. She is excited for the opportunity to provide support in the DAPS community.

Newsletter Team

Amber Shoevlin, Production Editor

Bemax Group, LLC  

Board of Directors

Martha Bonilla - President
Robbie McCullough - Vice President
Marcie Salamone - Treasurer

Chuck Stewart - Secretary

Jim Armington

Mike Braitsch - Ex officio

Jared Caplan

Beth Jacobs

Joyce Logan
Steven Markel

Mike Masinelli

Wanda Wallendorf

Medical Advisory Board

Juliana Atem, NP

Neerja Bhardwaj, M.D., MPH

Michael Braitsch, PT,
Shilpa Chitnis, M.D., Ph.D.

Richard B. Dewey, Jr., M.D.

Rasheda El-Nazer, M.D.

Mazen Elkurd, D.O.

Richard L. Fulbright, Ph.D.

Dwight C. German, Ph.D.
June Levitt, Ph.D., LDT, CCC-SLP
Bradley McDaniels, PhD, CRC,  DPT

Aashoo Mentreddi, M.D.

Padraig O’Suilleabhain, M.D.

Nirav Pavasia, M.D.

Alexander Peralta, M.D.

R. Malcolm Stewart, M.D.

Chad Swank, Ph.D.

Aanchal Taneja M.D

Gary L. Tunell, M.D. 

Community Engagement Consultants

Drs. Charles and Susan Sterling

bottom of page