Parkinson’s Foundation Announces New Executive Vice President; Launches Public Policy Effort

Andi Lipstein Fristedt named Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Policy Officer

NEW YORK & MIAMI (July 29, 2025) — The Parkinson’s Foundation announced today the appointment of Andi Lipstein Fristedt as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Policy Officer of the nation’s leading organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) through investments in research, care and education. The first appointment of its kind for the organization, Fristedt will provide strategic leadership for the Foundation, ensuring mission programs are addressing the needs of the community and guiding policy direction for the Foundation to advance impactful health policies at the federal, state and local levels.

“As the Foundation continues to respond to the needs of the Parkinson’s community, we are proud to announce the addition of a chief strategy and policy officer to our executive leadership team to continue to grow the Foundation’s impact and expand our public affairs initiatives,” said Parkinson’s Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer John L. Lehr. “We are very excited to welcome Andi and are certain that her extensive and impressive leadership experience, including in shaping federal and state health policies will support the Foundation’s mission to improve care and advance research toward a cure.”

An executive leader who has been at the forefront of public health efforts in Congress and federal agencies for nearly 20 years, Fristedt previously served as Deputy Director and Chief Strategy Office at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She was the agency’s lead policy official and oversaw the agency’s expansive global health efforts, communications activities, budget strategy, and overall engagement with Congress and other Washington-based policymakers.

Prior to her time at CDC, Fristedt was the Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under her leadership, the FDA advanced key policies to bolster medical product regulation, address tobacco use, and strengthen nutrition, food safety and health equity. Fristedt also oversaw agency engagement with Congress in advance of enactment of the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act (2022), legislation granting the FDA explicit authority over non-tobacco nicotine products, and increased agency appropriations. Her work at the FDA also focused on strengthening the agency’s engagement with Tribal partners and advancing and expanding its global activities.

Fristedt stated, “I’ve dedicated my career to driving health for communities and patients across the country and around the globe. I’m thrilled to join the Parkinson's Foundation leadership team and oversee these critical efforts to deliver real progress for people living with Parkinson’s and those who love them.”

Fristedt previously worked for nearly a decade in various capacities with the U.S.
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), including as Deputy Health Policy Director. During her time in the Senate, she led the drafting or negotiation of a wide range of health laws. 

Fristedt began her federal service at the CDC’s Washington office where she led the agency’s engagement with Congress on key issues, including HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. She first joined the CDC as a Presidential Management Fellow. Earlier in her career, she served as Chief of Staff to an Oregon state legislator. She holds a B.A. from University of Oregon and a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University, where she studied health and health policy.