Our Leadership Team

Executive Director

Lori B. Havas is the visionary and driving force behind OPWF. She is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and Parkinson’s Disease Fitness Specialist, bringing expertise and compassion to helping people in their wellness journey. With 13 years focused on working with people with Parkinson’s Disease, her passion and dedication can make a meaningful difference in the quality of life for many people dealing with the challenges of neurological symptoms. She’s more than a trainer; she’s a supportive guide who integrates daily activities and non-contact boxing into her exercise programs. Her passion is to enhance life through movement and to build strength while improving quality of life. Lori tailors her approach to the goals of each person in her classes. Joining her group classes enhances camaraderie and individual progress toward better health.

“I’m passionate about this program because I’ve seen the results firsthand with countless participants. I’m in awe of the determination that each individual possesses to be the best they can be within the limits of their bodies. Everyone enters class with a smile, ready and willing to do the work that will help stave off the progression of their disease.”

OPWF Board of Directors

Kristin Fay Venus (Chair) has been working in the non profit sector for over 25 years. Her expertise is in organizational and program development, fundraising, board stewardship, and community engagement. Leveraging resources, people, and networks to actualize meaningful community heart-centered efforts is where she thrives. She is the co-founder of Community Supported Shelters and also opened Park Street Cafe’ in downtown Eugene. She currently works as the part time Executive Director for the Blanche Fischer Foundation, which provides small grants to people with permanent physical disabilities. Kristin is also the Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Bags O Love, supporting children of Lane County suffering from abuse, neglect, poverty, or homelessness. Kristin Fay is an advocate for living life to its fullest potential by maintaining consistent physical, mental and spiritual practices.

Joe Fancher (Secretary), having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, appreciates the value that Oregon Parkinson’s Warriors Foundation brings to the Eugene-Springfield community under the expert and enthusiastic leadership of Lori Havas. Joe honed his considerable administrative skills working as the assistant to the CEO of Trillium Community Health Plan and to the Executive Director of the Lane County Medical Society.

Nadine Batya moved to Eugene to raise her children with Dr. Sara Batya. She volunteered in an elementary school to combat child/teacher ratios. She also ran the school garden program. Recently Nadine coordinated the Lane Community College Dental Clinic. She has worked extensively in academic management at universities and colleges in both California and Oregon. She started working at the University of Oregon Knight Campus in March of 2024. Nadine has also spent time as an administrator in the community non-profit sector in arenas that she is passionate about, including community health clinics, juvenile justice reform and AIDS research.

Billy Safier arrived in Oregon in 2005 to reunite with his high school sweetheart, who is now his wife. Billy’s previous career in wholesale grocery spans 30 years. His first years in Oregon were spent building his wife’s educational consulting business. Upon his retirement, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Billy strives to maintain an active physical life and urges all others to do the same. Billy also hosts a popular radio show: “The Beatles Hour,” on local listener-supported public radio station KRVM.

Jennifer Greenwell (Vice President) has been a NASM certified personal trainer for more than 12 years. She is also a corrective exercise specialist, and has been working with PD clients for 10 years, often in the comfortable setting of a client’s home, or in a professional gym environment. She has trained in Tai Chi for better balance and has led small groups in this discipline. She works also with cognitive issues, Ataxia and TBI, as well as joint replacement. Jennifer educates her clients about the importance of movement, balance training and stretching.

Debra Menge (Treasurer) was diagnosed with PD in October of 2011. Debra loves to square dance, go hunting and camping with her husband and grandkids. One of her favorite things to do with her husband is go to the Oregon Coast frequently to ride their side by sides on the dunes and over the mountains. It gets her adrenaline going and releases the dopamine that her brain needs to fight off Parkinson’s. For 18 years, she served as a bookkeeper and later became the Controller. “Lori’s exercise class has helped to slow the progression of my disease and improved my mobility. I am a Parkinson’s Warrior and strongly committed to helping the foundation continue to grow to help others with PD.”

Michele Gladieux, PT, MS (Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, 1997), has focused her career in neurological rehabilitation and dizziness disorders, including advanced competency and specialization in vertigo (dizziness) and the care of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Michele worked at Peace Health for 24 years and now has a private mobile practice, Neuro Wellness Physical Therapy Training, providing consulting services and therapy in client homes and gym-based settings. She is known for incorporating her years of clinical skills and evidence-based techniques in a compassionate and motivating style. She has lectured at the University of Oregon on Parkinson’s disease and she teaches part-time at Lane Community College in the Physical Therapy Assistant program.

Jan Simmons was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2022, and quickly became a Parkinson’s Warrior, learning all she could about the disease and doing everything possible to slow its progression. Previously Jan had a colorful 30-year career in the music business in the San Francisco Bay Area, followed by a decade working in the natural food industry in Eugene, Oregon. Jan served on the board of the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation for more than a decade, She now brings her administrative skills to the OPWF Board, where she is devoted to our mission.

OPWF Advisory Board

Sara Batya, MD is a board certified neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders, which include Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, Huntington Disease, Dystonia, tremor, tics, and Restless Leg Syndrome. She is a specialist in the management of deep brain stimulation and the non-surgical care of the complex and multifaceted aspects of these diseases. In addition she enjoys developing long-term relationships with her patients. “My goal in treating my patients is simple – be kind and listen well. I care for my patients the same way I would care for family members and in the same manner in which I would want to be treated,” she says. Dr. Batya earned her medical degree from Tulane University in 2004. She completed her residency in adult neurology and her fellowship in movement disorders at Stanford University.

Danielle Curran, PT DPT NCS, has been a physical therapist in the Eugene area since 2008, most recently transitioning to Peacehealth’s Outpatient Rehabilitation in 2011. Certified as a Neurological Clinical Specialist through the ABPTS in 2013, she works primarily with patients who have neurological conditions, with a special interest in serving patients with Parkinson’s Disease. She loves to share how much impact

exercise can have in the lives of her patients. Her interests especially include working with patients with festination and freezing of gait. Her goal is to connect her patients with community based programs such as the Warrior project in order to continue to make movement and exercise a part of their lifestyle. In addition to Parkinson’s specific coursework, such as Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery, she has received additional certification as an Advanced Vestibular Therapist from University

of Pittsburg. An avid cyclist and skier, Danielle loves to practice what she preaches and also serves on the board for a local cycling group in the Eugene-Springfield area.

Steve Havas (Advisor) business consultant, is a lifetime entrepreneur who has founded/co-founded multiple companies, led four successful exits, directed the digital transformation of global operations and markets for large enterprises (e.g., Starbucks, Bank of America) while also helping small companies scale out of garages as a consultant. Also a co-founder of Altruist Partners, a consulting firm that is dedicated to transforming the operations and fundraising of nonprofits. “I’m done building things myself, but passionate about helping others achieve their own vision for the way things can be, and now work in an advisory capacity for startups and smaller organizations trying to make an impact in the world. Especially focused on helping companies that enable people to extend their health span and reduce the need for interventions by hard core medicine. In other words: eat well, exercise, and practice those habits that keep us mentally and physically healthy.”

Danika Williams, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Sacred Heart Outpatient PT, works primarily with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease, vestibular disorders, stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Over the years she has taken many courses involving Parkinson’s Disease, including training in the LSVT BIG protocol and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery Move program. In addition, she has a certification in Vestibular Competency. She enjoys working with clients with Parkinson’s and promoting improved independence with mobility, increased quality of movement and self-awareness of movement. She values educating the client with PD so that they can apply what they learn daily within all the environments they move through. Danika earnd her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Idaho State University in 2006 and has been with Peacehealth for 18 years.

Don Cross (Advisor) brings a lifetime of teaching and training in jiu-jitsu. Don successfully ran 7 martial arts training facilities over the past 55 years. Coupled with a personal journey battling Parkinson’s since 2016, he has been actively involved in the PD class for nearly two years, and has found strength and enhanced mobility through the Parkinson’s Warriors community. With a remarkable martial arts background, including achieving a ninth-degree black belt in 2022, and serving on the Board of Professors and Board of Directors of the American Judo and Jui-jitsu Federation since 1974, he brings a wealth of experience and commitment to the foundation. Beyond his martial arts dedication, Professor Cross enjoys teaching, training, hiking, and engaging in delightful one-way conversations with his chihuahua, Pico de Gallo.

Gerry Gaydos joined Hershner Hunter in 2020 and has been in private practice in Eugene since 1979. In that time, he has cultivated a reputation for excellent client service and unparalleled civic contributions. His areas of expertise include Business Succession

Planning, Estate Tax Planning, Business Formation & Maintenance, Probate, Trust Administration, Business Transactions, Wills and Living Trusts. Education: J.D. Case Western Reserve University School of Law;

B.A., Political Science, The Ohio State University Awards: Oregon State Bar President’s Special Award of Appreciation, 2013; First Citizen of Eugene, 2011; Oregon State Bar Award of Merit, 2010; Lane County Bar Distinguished Service Award, 2010; Lane Council of Governments Civic Achievement Award, 2006

Cecilia Pulido has been in the natural health & fitness industry since the early 1990’s. Her extensive fitness background includes over 20+ years of PaKua Chinese Style Arts & Sciences, TRX educator and trainer, kettlebell master trainer, studies in Hatha and Iyengar Yoga, ELDOA level 3 instructor, and Pilates since 2008. Her comprehensive Pilates training includes specializations in Scoliosis and spinal asymmetry, myofascial meridians, Parkinson’s Disease, and mentorship under Pilates elder Lolita San Miguel, among many other Pilates masters. She also has a Masters of Science in Applied Exercise Science/Human Movement Science. This diverse training background has supported and shaped the Pilates 4 Parkinson’s Method of exercise training for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). With over 22+ years of working with people with PD in various stages, she has developed a truly specific and efficacious method to help people with PD preserve their movement independence.