OUR TEAM
LEISHA PHIPPS
Executive Director
Leisha came to Dallas Area Parkinson Society as the Program Director, following 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. She served on the Board of Directors as Chair of Development, Secretary and President. It was here that she discovered that her passion for growing small nonprofits. As Executive Director Leisha is focused on expanding services to more people with Parkinson's in the Dallas area.
KEISHA HILL
Program Director
Keisha comes to Dallas Area Parkinson Society 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.
MAYLINN MARTINEZ
Database & Operations Administrator
Maylinn joins DAPS with almost 10 years of experience in corporate roles in the retail industry, specializing in inventory management. She has a master’s degree in business administration from San Jose State University. Maylinn has a passion for helping others and making a difference in any way she can. She is inspired daily by her husband and their twin daughters.
AMANDA MAHAN
Member & Volunteer Coordinator
Amanda brings over a decade of experience in education, advising, and program management. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. Amanda is passionate about supporting individuals in achieving their goals and has dedicated her career to fostering growth through mentorship, engagement, and personalized guidance. Her two daughters keep her busy, but she spends her free time reading and attending concerts with her husband.
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AMYAH DELEON
MSW Intern
Amyah DeLeon is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work at Baylor University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in May 2025, along with minors in Legal Reasoning & Analysis and Corporate Communications. Her internship with the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office in the Child Protective Services unit inspired her transition from a pre-law track to social work, where she now focuses on collaborative, client-centered care.
Amyah is excited to begin interning at DAPS in January. During her internship, she will co-facilitate the PD virtual monthly support group with Gail, assist with events such as the Educational Series and the Dallas Annual Walk for Parkinson’s in April, and provide member support through referrals, engagement, and attendance at weekly classes.
TAYLOR LYON
OT Capstone Student Intern
Taylor Lyon comes to DAPS as an Occupational Therapy Capstone student intern. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Taylor ventured to The University of Mississippi where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She is currently in graduate school pursuing a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through the University of Texas at San Antonio. Taylor moved to Dallas in May 2025 and recently got married in December. In her free time, Taylor enjoys dancing, traveling, spoiling two cats, and exploring new parts of Dallas.
Taylor is excited to spend the next few months getting to know DAPS while learning, supporting and developing a Capstone Project to benefit the DAPS community
Board of Directors
Jen Levy - President
Joyce Logan - Vice President
Bryan Jewell - Treasurer
John Davis - Secretary
Jenelle Bertolino
Karen Dowling
Beth Jacobs
Mike Masinelli
John McNair
Merrie Spaeth
Catie Wallace
Board Advisors
Dinesh Besiahgari
Rob McCullough
Joseph Solano
Drew Stricklin
Medical Advisory Board
Juliana Atem, NP
Neerja Bhardwaj, MD, MPH
Michael Braitsch, PT, DPT
Shilpa Chitnis, MD, PhD
Rasheda El-Nazer, MD
Mazen Elkurd, DO
Richard L. Fulbright, PhD
Dwight C. German, PhD
Camille Ko, OTD, MOT, OTR, CBIS, LSVT BIG
Chadrick Lane, MD
Tran Le, MD
June Levitt, PhD, LDT, CCC-SLP
Jerome Lisk, MD
Jaibel Mayikil, MD
Bradley McDaniels, PhD, CRC
Padraig O’Suilleabhain, MD
Nirav Pavasia, MD
Nader Pouratian, MD, PhD
Dakota Schumacher, MD
Chad Swank, PhD
Aanchal Taneja, MD
Community Engagement Consultant
Dr. Susan Sterling