New York, NY— The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) today announced that Katie Hood, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and former Research Director, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Hood, who joined the Foundation in September 2002, has played critical roles in shaping its strategy of intervening aggressively to close critical gaps in the process of moving potential treatments from the laboratory to Parkinson’s patients, as well as in building a team of in-house research experts needed to implement that strategy.
Ms. Hood replaces CEO Sarah Orsay, who is leaving MJFF in order to devote more time to her three children.
MJFF Founder Michael J. Fox said, “The Michael J. Fox Foundation has grown enormously in our sophistication and in our capability to work with everyone from academic researchers to industry in plugging the many gaps in the process that keep promising science from advancing to effective, life-changing treatments for Parkinson’s. Katie Hood has played a big part in that evolution, and we’re confident that with her at the helm, we will not only maintain our momentum but will continue to build our reputation for not just throwing money at the problem, but truly taking a leadership role in helping identify and cultivate research breakthroughs.”
Ms. Hood stated, “After five years working with management and staff at all levels of MJFF, as well as our scientific advisors, grantees, industry partners and donors, I am looking forward to working with Michael, our Board and our entire team to further advance the mission and strategy of a foundation that is increasingly setting the standard for effectiveness and best business practices.”
As Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Hood will provide day-to-day management and oversight of all Foundation activities and will specifically oversee fundraising, the Foundation’s research team and communications, administration and financial management. Ms. Hood will report to the Board of Directors. Debi Brooks will continue to serve as co-founder with a focus on principal-gifts fundraising and outreach to key external audiences, reporting to the Board of Directors.
The foundation stated that Ms. Hood will be a candidate to assume the CEO position on a permanent basis.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Hood was employed as a consultant at Bain & Company in New York City, doing work in the consumer products, financial services, and nonprofit sectors. She has also served as an analyst in the Credit Department of Goldman, Sachs & Co., and as a program coordinator with DukeUniversity's Hart Leadership Program. Ms. Hood graduated from HarvardBusinessSchool, and holds a BA in Public Policy Studies from DukeUniversity in Durham, North Carolina.