Leadership | Dallas Area Parkinson Society

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 and 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 and 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.

Board of Directors

Chuck Stewart - President
Robbie McCullough - Vice President
Bryan Jewell - Treasurer

Melissa Barrow - Secretary

Dinesh Besiahgari - Board Advisor

Drew Stricklin - Board Advisor

Jenelle Bertolino

John Davis

Karen Dowling

Beth Jacobs

Jennifer Levy

Joyce Logan

Mike Masinelli

John McNair

Joe Solano

Merrie Spaeth

Catie Wallace

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

Tran Le, MD
June Levitt, PhD, LDT, CCC-SLP

Jerome Lisk, MD

Jaibel Mayikil, MD
Bradley McDaniels, PhD, CRC

Aashoo Mentreddi, MD

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