The Parkinson’s Foundation announced the appointment of Meri-Margaret Deoudes as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the nation’s leading community for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their loved ones and those working to end the disease. With more than two decades of nonprofit experience, Deoudes will oversee the implementation of the Foundation’s mission priorities and ensure the efficient deployment of resources for the most significant impact within the PD community.

“The addition of Meri-Margaret to our leadership team will be instrumental in advancing our mission,” said Parkinson’s Foundation president and chief executive officer John L. Lehr. “She is dedicated to changing outcomes for the one million individuals with PD in the U.S. today, and to advancing our core research, care and education efforts.”

A proven and dynamic leader, Deoudes has guided the successful evolution of several nonprofit organizations. She has an extensive background in holistic corporate alliances, special events, and employee engagement programs for prominent health-focused nonprofits, including March of Dimes and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She has also worked in the environmental sector with executive roles creating and implementing strategic plans to drive impact at the National Wildlife Federation, EarthShare and most recently, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), where she served as President and CEO since 2018.

Deoudes stated: “I understand the urgency of the Foundation’s mission and commitment to all people with Parkinson’s and working toward a future without the disease. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with the Parkinson’s community to drive better outcomes today and tomorrow.”

Deoudes holds a bachelor’s degree in history, sociology and psychology from George Washington University and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. She is also an avid reader, runner, gardener and enjoys cooking and entertaining family and friends.

For more information about the Parkinson’s Foundation senior leadership team, visit Parkinson.org/About-Us.

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $400 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).

Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone.

Source Parkinson’s Foundation

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