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
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.
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 (Board Member) 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.
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.
OPWF Advisory Board
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.”
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.