Parkinson’s Foundation Announces Three New Board Members

Five New People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council members added

NEW YORK & MIAMI (June 23, 2026) — The Parkinson’s Foundation appointed three new members to its board of directors, as well as five new members to its People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council (PPAC). Cindy Heider, Rick Kastner and Rocky Pontikes join the Foundation as newly appointed members of the board. Along with PPAC, a board-designated council comprised of people living with Parkinson’s disease and care partners, both all-volunteer leadership teams will advance the Foundation’s mission of making life better for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) while advancing research toward a cure. 

“We are very excited to welcome our new Board members, whose combined experience and personal connections to Parkinson’s will help propel our mission forward with even greater impact,” said Parkinson’s Foundation President and CEO John Lehr. “Representing different Parkinson’s communities from across the country, their insights will be instrumental in guiding our priority initiatives and achieving outstanding results.” 

Cindy Heider is president of the Heider Family Foundation, in Omaha, Nebraska, where she and her husband, Scott, focus their philanthropy on underserved youth, education, healthcare and other local community organizations. Her commitment to Parkinson’s philanthropy is personal: both her late mother and her husband’s late mother had the disease, while her brother-in-law is currently living with PD. Through the Heider Family Foundation, the Heiders have contributed $1.8 million to the Parkinson’s Foundation, including the Foundation’s largest donor match to date. Heider graduated from the University of Iowa and is a long‑time supporter of many Omaha-based institutions and numerous Iowa community nonprofits.

“After years of supporting the Foundation’s mission programs, I am honored to join its Board of Directors and advance its urgent mission,” said Heider. “As someone whose family has been deeply affected by PD, I am proud to join an organization that is dedicated to building on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community.”

Rick Kastner is a retired senior executive who spent 27 years with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, where he served as General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, and Corporate Secretary. In these roles he oversaw legal affairs, corporate governance, human resources, internal audit, privacy and security, and government relations, among other areas. Kastner has been involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation since 2006, inspired by his father’s diagnosis. In addition to contributing his leadership to the Foundation’s local chapter board and various committees, he and his wife, Susan, have also supported the Foundation’s research and care initiatives for many years, including Moving Day and PD GENEration.

“I am honored to join the Parkinson’s Foundation Board of Directors and continue serving the Parkinson’s community as a longtime advocate for improving care and advancing scientific progress toward a cure,” said Kastner. “Together, we can continue to strengthen our resources and support programs for families affected by this disease.”

Rocky Pontikes is Senior Managing Director and Co‑Head of Mesirow Investment Banking, where he brings more than 30 years of experience advising middle‑market companies across multiple industry sectors. He provides strategic leadership for the firm and has guided transactions totaling more than $20 billion throughout his career. Pontikes’ connection to Parkinson’s is also personal. His wife, Jen, was recently diagnosed with young onset PD. He joined the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter Board in 2024, inspired by his family’s experience and the Foundation’s mission to support the broader Parkinson’s community.

“Joining the Parkinson’s Foundation Board of Directors is an honor for me and my family,” said Pontikes. “I am deeply motivated to share my commitment for the Foundation’s strategic vision of providing real, life-changing results toward making life better for people with PD.”

The People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council (PPAC) was established to ensure that the perspectives of people living with PD and their care partners are included in all Foundation programs and initiatives. The five newest members are: 

• Ignacio Angulo – Texas
• Angela Carnahan – California
• Lori Ann Greidanus – Illinois
• Kristi Mitchell – Virginia
• Paul Tucker – Georgia

In addition to the five new members, Kenneth Chason of Virginia will serve as vice chair of the council, while Dr. Kathleen Blake of New Mexico will continue as its chair. PPAC members serve a term of three years.

Visit Parkinson’s Foundation Board of Directors and Parkinson’s Foundation People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council for a complete list of members.