Rachel Gray got involved with DWP after her father John Gray was diagnosed with PD. Her professional work has mostly been with community organizations, primarily in social services. She is the Operations Director for the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, a strategic alliance of foundations collaborating to transform food systems and their impacts on climate change and food security. Between 2008-2020 she was the Executive Director of The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto, an advocacy-based organization that uses food as a tool to build connection and community. Before that, Rachel worked nationally and locally addressing youth homelessness, first developing, and managing Eva's Phoenix, and then as Director of Eva's National Program. Rachel also worked for the Ontario Government as a Special Assistant to the Minister of Health.

Shealyn completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Guelph & received additional certificates in Human Resources Management and Adult Education. Shealyn is the Director of Advisory-Coaching at McLean & Company, overseeing the design and development of McLean & Company’s Leadership Development Coaching programs, as well, delivers authentic and effective leadership experiences through facilitating McLeans leadership development programs.

Shealyn has been involved in fundraising and raising awareness about PD since her mother Kathryn was diagnosed in 2012. She has previously worked to raise funds and organize events supporting the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.

Craig received his Bachelor of Arts from Brown University in 1992 and spent the following two years in Japan. Upon returning to Canada, Craig acquired an International MBA in Finance from York University in 1997. As part of his MBA program, Craig returned to Japan on an exchange program, attending the International University of Japan and later worked for the investment management subsidiary of Nomura Securities in Tokyo.

Craig joined Burgundy in 1998 as a research analyst specializing in Japan. He was appointed Vice President in 2000 and became the Portfolio Manager for Asian equities in 2001. In 2004, Craig was appointed Senior Vice President and later appointed to Burgundy’s Board of Directors in 2012.

In October 2022, Craig was appointed to MEDA’s International Impact Investment Committee.

Tess McLean is a supporter and lover of the arts. Her background includes working in major corporate environments, the healthcare sector, and many not-for-profit organizations. She is currently the Director of Communications and Marketing for Waddington's Auction House.

Tess is passionate about organizations that are innovative and committed to making art accessible to all and is committed to helping DWP achieve its goals.

In addition to being DWP Director, Dr. Bender leads our Research Committee. She is a Scientist in the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and an Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Dr. Bender's father, John Bender (also known as Dancing Johnny), has had Parkinson's Disease since 2004.

Casey FitzGerald has over 13 years of business experience holding a number of management positions in product management, marketing, and customer service, with a focus on creating products and services that deliver meaningful customer experiences. She is committed to the Parkinson’s cause as a past volunteer for Parkinson's Canada and a current member of their Ambassador Program.

In 2017 Casey started her own business as the Founder and Principal Designer at Kathleen Casey Design Inc. and is an award-winning, accredited member of the Design & Decorators' Association of Canada (DDA). Her personal experience as a co-care partner for her late father Brian inspired her to become a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) committed to creating accessibility, comfort, and safety in every home. Casey is a proud alumnus of Toronto’s St. Clements School and holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Guelph.

Dr. Lorraine Kalia MD, PhD, FRCPC, Director of DWP's Research Committee graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School and had a brief professional ballet career as an apprentice with the National Ballet of Canada and a corps de ballet member with the National Ballet of Portugal. She then pursued academic training to become a clinician scientist, obtaining a BSc (Biology) at Queen’s University, MD/PhD (Neuroscience) at University of Toronto, FRCPC (Neurology) at University of Toronto, a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, a movement disorders fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital. Currently, Lorraine is an associate professor in the Division of Neurology University of Toronto, and a senior scientist at the Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network. She is a movement disorders neurologist. Her clinical work and research program focus on improving the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Robert Davis is a professional facilitator, having worked in the public sector for almost 25 years. With a degree in Urban Studies/Sociology, with a minor in music, from York University, Robert feels privileged to have applied most of that degree to his working life. Robert played string bass in a number of amateur orchestras in the Toronto area for 40 years, until the onset of Parkinson's Disease. Robert's hobbies have included music recording and production, photography (he is also a graduate of Sheridan College Photography) and video production - some of which are used as part of his volunteer activities. Since 1999, Robert has sat on the board of the Aradia Ensemble, a Toronto-based professional period baroque orchestra. Robert lives in Toronto with his wife Cheryl, his daughter Chloë, and Dr. Tofu the rabbit.

Alexandra Robinson Fawcett is a classically trained dancer and graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow Russia. She went on to dance with ballet companies in Europe and Canada, and also performed in musical theatre and in film and television. After retiring from performing, Alexandra went on to work as Event Coordinator for Toronto’s Distillery Historic District.

After several years at the DHD Alexandra opened her own event planning company, Alexandra Fawcett Events, and has planned and executed weddings, b'nai mitzvahs, and corporate events at venues in Toronto and Cottage Country, including Evergreen Brickworks, Malaparte, and the Royal Ontario Museum, to name a few.

Alexandra continues to practice her love of dancing through ballet classes and through her involvement with this wonderful organization, where she can help seniors discover their own love of dancing and movement.