Sara Brady began her career as a reporter with the Orlando Sentinel covering the police and court beats. After 15 years in journalism, she transitioned into public relations in the defense and cable industries before launching her own firm in 2010. Brady owns and operates Sara Brady Public Relations, Inc. specializing in crisis management and strategic responses to high-profile controversies.

In July 2021, her husband of 24 years, Barry Brady, passed away after suffering for several years from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, an atypical form of Parkinsons.

Scott is the Chief Financial Officer at Florida Citrus Sports and is the Treasurer of the PACF Board of Directors. His hobbies are playing and watching sports, especially the Steelers, Penguins and the Pirates. Scott heard about the Parkinson’s Association through a close friend and current board member, John Gabriel. John encouraged Scott to join the board and assume the position as Treasurer. Scott wants to help those living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers and families so everyone can live life to the fullest.

Brant graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in business and competed on the golf team. He is an advisor at Franchise Clearly in Winter Park, FL. Skilled in strategic planning and marketing, he helped kick off PACF’s annual golf tournament. His passion for Parkinson’s stems from his mother, Suzanne, who has battled the disease since 1996. In his downtime, Brant enjoys working out, playing sports, and traveling.

Chuck received a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Florida in 1966. His post graduate work includes a J.D. from the University of Florida in 1969 and an L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami in 1971. Chuck’s areas of practice are Estate Planning, Probate and Guardianship Administration and Probate and Trust Litigation.

Chuck became interested in Parkinson programs and research after his brother-in-law was diagnosed several years ago. Chuck serves on the Board of Directors for PACF as the General Counsel

Nancy Divita is a Casselberry City Commissioner and former owner of Anytime Fitness in Casselberry, where she spent over a decade promoting health and wellness in her community. She holds an MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Nancy’s connection to Parkinson’s is personal—her father lived with the disease for many years, motivating her to support others facing similar challenges. She is focused on helping PACF expand access to effective, local programs that make a measurable difference in the lives of patients and families. In addition to her role with PACF, Nancy also serves on the board of Kids House of Seminole.

Executive Advisor for the Orlando Magic. During his time with the Magic, they reached the NBA Playoffs 5 times. John was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012 and understands the many challenges it can have on an individual and their family. He plans to raise awareness and funds to help provide more programs and research to ensure the best care possible.

Martha retired in January 2017, after serving 28 years as the Orange County Comptroller the counties elected Chief Financial Officer and Auditor. Marty's plan was to spend lots of time with her grandchildren and travel with her husband Pete.

Marty's husband Pete was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2012, which for a little time had little impact on their traveling. However, by 2022 travel became much more complicated and since then she and Pete have been happy to enjoy their home and an occasional road trip. Marty joined the Board of the Parkinson Association to spread awareness, champion caregivers and make a difference for those living with Parkinson's Disease.

Amy is an award-winning PR and Media Relations executive. She volunteers at the Seminole County Library, is a member of the Heathrow Women’s Club, and is a past board member with Florida Executive Women.

Diagnosed in 2020, Amy participates in drug trials and supports the PACF annual Walk for Parkinson each year. With a passion for travel, especially in Europe, she enthusiastically continues her worldwide adventures and is determined to live life to the fullest.  Amy is married to longtime radio news anchor/director at WDBO-AM and current voice talent and non-profit leader, Wayne Weinberg. They reside in Heathrow, FL.

Alisa is a Community Outreach Specialist working to educate the public about programs and resources that promote physical and mental health. With her background in neuropsychology and outreach she uses her talents and expertise to support PACF in growing programs that serve the community and advance treatments. Alisa lost her uncle to complications of Parkinson's Disease and honors her family by making a difference in the lives of those affected by Parkinson's Disease in our community.

Todd Stewart is owner and operator of Envision Orlando, a commercial sign company in Winter Park, Florida. Prior to starting his business, Todd spent 14 years in the Orlando Sentinel newsroom in a variety of senior leadership roles. In 2017 Todd won the Orlando Sentinel's first Emmy Award, in the Community Service category, for leading the Sentinel's ongoing video coverage of the Pulse nightclub attack. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013, Todd publicly shared his diagnosis in 2018 in the pages of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper and an accompanying video on OrlandoSentinel.com. He joined the PACF Board of Directors later that year and was elected president in 2021.

Marti is a native of Winter Park, Florida, and owned her own insurance agency. She is the mother of two, grandmother to five, great-grandmother of five, and was life partner to David who had Parkinson's. As his care partner, Marti dedicated herself to ensuring David had every chance to socialize and stay active in all the programs offered in their area. Marti has served on several non-profits as Board President in previous years. Former PACF Board President, she continues to remain active at PACF as a member of the Advisory Board and plans to continue her efforts to teach the community about Parkinson's as well as raise money to grow the organization.

Debbie grew up in Tidewater Virginia completely unaware of Parkinson’s disease. She met and married Howie Apple while at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and later raised their son in Florida as Howie’s career moves took them south. When he retired, they started Apple Medical Incubator, Inc, a consulting firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs bring new medical devices to market.

After Howie’s PD diagnosis in 2010, they researched activities to combat the progression of the disease, and together they brought the indoor cycling program, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, to Orlando. With Howie’s death in 2022, Debbie wants to expand her commitment to improving resources for those whose lives are affected by PD.

John has worked with Morgan Stanley since 2011. A resident of Central Florida since 1977, John lives with his wife, Nicole, and their two very active sons, Nicholas and Colin. Community service outside of PACF includes serving as the Director of Finance for the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. He was also previously recognized as one of Central Florida’s Top Ten Men to Watch by the Orlando Business Journal.

John’s passion for a Parkinson’s cure began with his wife’s subtle symptom of a toe twitch back in 2007. Fast forward after many years of misdiagnosis and worsening symptoms, Nicole’s confirmation of early onset Parkinson’s was unfortunately realized. This diagnosis has led him to look for ways to not only educate himself about the disease to be a better caregiver but to also look for ways to have a positive impact on our quest for a cure.

Kanwar served as President of Tupperware North America, as well as President of Avon Phillippines and President, Asia Pacific, Africa & The Middle East for Jeunesse Global. He has demonstrated a proven history of leadership. He brings a wealth of experience and professional acumen to our Board.

Kanwar was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s at the age of 39 and has lived with it for over 20 years. He has focused his considerable, positive energy on personally fighting the advance of Parkinsons symptoms through diet, exercise and clinical trials. He now spends his time sharing with others who are impacted by the disease to provide hope and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Fitzherbert “Fitz” Harry, a native to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, has always been passionate about helping others since a young age. After earning his doctorate in Physical Therapy he became disappointed in the current healthcare model. He believes that patients should be treated like family, not just as a typical patient. It was because of his desire to get away from the more common “physical therapy mill” approach that he started his own business, Harry Physical Therapy and Wellness.

Mitesh Lotia, M.D. is a fellowship trained Movement Disorder Neurologist with an impressive educational and training background. After completing a two-year Movement Disorders Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Jankovic, where he also served as a chief fellow, Dr. Lotia joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as an Assistant Professor. At UAMS, Dr. Lotia served as the neurology residency Program Director and worked in multiple leadership roles. He is widely published and an accomplished speaker. Dr. Lotia now serves as Medical Director for Movement Disorders at Advent Health Neuroscience Institute.

Dr. Rodriguez is a neurologist and movement disorders specialist in private practice in Orlando, FL, with a strong focus on improving the quality of life for patients with PD. Before opening his practice Neurology One, he was the Chief of Neurology at the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center and is a professor of neurology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.

Vikram Shivkumar, MD, FAAN is a neurologist with Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute Neurology Group. He specializes in movement disorders, caring for patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Shivkumar is skilled in helping his patients achieve their best possible level of health and quality of life.

He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and a member of the Movement Disorder Society. Dr. Shivkumar also has served as the principal investigator for multiple clinical trials, contributed to multiple book chapters, and published peer-reviewed articles in medical journals.

Barbara attended nursing school at Penn State University and received her RN. After several years in pharmaceutical sales with Bayer, Barbara was offered a role within the neuromodulation field and has remained in that space since that time. Working for Medtronic with Deep Brain Stimulation therapy, she learned of her new passion in medicine! Barbara also started her own DBS programming clinics after leaving Medtronic, until her current role within Abbott Laboratories as a therapy manager with DBS. Barbara has a true love and passion for Parkinson’s disease and helping to educate patients to making the best decisions for them.

Tonya enjoys running, yoga, and barre classes. She also loves watching her son play baseball and run track. Tonya was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson's Disease at the age of 34. After struggling with her diagnosis for several years, Tonya had Deep Brain Stimulation which was life-changing for her and her family. Tonya has shared her story with audiences and individuals around the country, including at the World Parkinson Congress. She became involved with the Parkinson Association of Central Florida through Anissa Mitchell, who at the time was the Florida Hospital Parkinson Outreach Program Manager. Tonya wishes to increase PACF's presence in the Central Florida community by increasing awareness of the many wonderful resources that PACF offers to people with Parkinson's and their caregivers.

Cheryl brings to the Parkinson Association more than three decades of corporate management experience, with a strong focus on technology in the legal sector.

Before joining PACF, Cheryl served as the Director of Information Technology at two prominent law firms in Central Florida. Cheryl’s step-father David has battled Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years. Her passion, skills, and experience will help the Parkinson Association of Central Florida move forward in the research, fundraising and awareness activities we support.

You can contact Cheryl at 321-348-7223 or cbennett@parkinsoncf.org