Powell, Ohio—Central Ohio nonprofit Changing Parkinson’s today announced that experienced, award-winning community leader Katie Webster will be its first executive director.
“Katie’s exceptional experience in strategic leadership, fundraising, board development and organizational growth is going to strengthen our work and expand our reach in incredible ways,” said Changing Parkinson’s Co-Founder Jessica Krauser. “She brings deep expertise guiding organizations through growth and transition. And she has the know-how and passion to transform us into a national powerhouse.”
Changing Parkinson’s helps Parkinson’s patients live their best lives by lessening the fear of the disease through education, exercise and community. It educates people through its internationally celebrated podcast, The Secret Life of Parkinson’s. It provides grants to gyms for Parkinson’s exercise programs. And it curates community by hosting an annual 5K walk and distributing Parkinson’s Kits to newly diagnosed patients at Michael J. Fox Foundation events and other Parkinson’s conferences around the country. The organization was co-founded in 2021 by Krauser and friends when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 37.
After being volunteer run for five years and continually increasing its impact, Changing Parkinson’s now requires a full-time team.
Webster has spent more than a decade as Director of Alumni & Family Engagement at Ohio Wesleyan University, where she played a central role in shaping how the institution engages alumni, families and the broader campus community. Prior to her time at OWU, Webster served in senior development roles across healthcare, education and human services organizations.
“My goal is to help Changing Parkinson’s become the place people turn after a diagnosis—where fear is met with education, isolation is replaced with community, and people find the tools to live their best lives,” Webster said. “I hope to expand awareness, strengthen programming and build a sustainable organization that supports patients and families today while guiding them toward what’s next with confidence and hope.”
Webster has volunteered for Changing Parkinson’s for five years.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust the board has placed in me during this important moment for the organization,” she said. “I am excited to work closely with the Parkinson’s community and to help guide Changing Parkinson’s through this next chapter.”
At OWU, Webster helped develop and scale once-new signature programs—including Women of Ohio Wesleyan, OWU Near You and The Final Lap for graduating seniors—that are now core to the OWU student and alumni experience. She built innovative collaborations that connected alumni to admitted students—work that was recognized with a CASE Circle of Excellence Award. And, among other successes, she served on the internal leadership team for Ohio Wesleyan’s most recent comprehensive capital campaign, which exceeded its $225M goal.
“Katie has been a game-changer for every organization she has touched,” said Krauser, a Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research award winner. “And I know she’ll change the game for us, too.”
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About Changing Parkinson’s
Changing Parkinson’s is a Central Ohio-based nonprofit that helps Parkinson’s patients live their best lives by lessening the fear of the disease through education, exercise and community. Founded in 2021 as a 5K walk, the organization has grown into one that runs a popular podcast with an international audience, provides grants to gyms for Parkinson’s classes, and distributes Parkinson’s Kits to newly diagnosed patients at Michael J. Fox Foundation events and other Parkinson’s events around the country.
Media Contact
Kristy Eckert, Kristy Eckert Communications, [email protected], 614.746.2787