About the
Brian Grant Foundation
We’re here for one another, and we’re here to make life better.
Our mission
The Brian Grant Foundation empowers people impacted by Parkinson’s to lead active and fulfilling lives. We believe in caring for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and provide evidence-based resources that support wellness in all facets of life. We also believe that we are stronger together. By sharing stories of people affected by the disease and connecting them to a supportive community, we can inspire one another to live great lives.
Our story
In 2008, after an illustrious career in the NBA, Brian Grant was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s at the age of 36. As he sought support and resources that could help him live his life to the fullest, he realized that these resources weren’t made for someone like him: young, athletic, a parent with kids still at home, the breadwinner.
So, he founded the Brian Grant Foundation in 2010, with the goal to provide resources that could help people like him—who wanted to use exercise and nutrition to manage and slow their symptoms and get on with the business of living.
Meet Brian Grant
Brian Grant was an NBA idol, known for tenacious rebounding and a fearless attitude on the court. During his 12‐year career, he played for five teams and became a strong contributor to his surrounding communities. Today, Brian continues to inspire as a speaker, philanthropist, and a patient who insists on thriving with Parkinson’s disease. His mission is to help people become their best, even when it seems impossible.
Staff
Katrina Kahl
Executive Director
Gavin Johnson
Program Director
Candace Fox
Communications Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian Grant
Founder
Melinda Sych
Board President
Charlene Quaresma
Board Treasurer
Katherine Orvets
Board Secretary
Teri Bowles-Atherton
Mark Byrum
Cortlandt Cuffee
Zach Fogg
Kristin Gaston
Brad Loveless
Cole Mack
PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL
Amy Lavallee, Community Liaison
Cathie Baker
Pat and Dan Baker
Jay Freyensee
Michelle and Dan Garratt
Lynn Hubert
Marlene Kendrick
Sharon Kishner
Steven Stryker
Troy Sych
Megan Taye
Gigi Van Rysselberghe
Todd Vogt
SCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Bas Bloem, MD, PhD
Radbourd University Mijmegen Medical Centre
John Duda, MD
Philadelphia VA Medical Center & Perelman School of Medicine
Suketu Khandhar, MD
Kaiser Permanente Sacramento
Soania Mathur, MD
Parkinson’s Advocate
Laurie Mischley, ND, PhD, MPH
Bastyr University Research Institute
Delaram Safarpour, MD, MSCE
Oregon Health & Science University
PROVIDER ADVISORY COUNCIL
Shannon Anderson, MPAS, PA-C
Oregon Health & Science University
Amy Dodson, OT
Providence Health & Services
Lauren McIntyre, PT, DPT
Providence Health & Services
Julia Robinson, MSCCC-SLP
Legacy Health
Monica Skordilis, MD
Kaiser Permanente
Jenny Wilhelm, PT, DPT
Oregon Health & Science University
Committed to Transparency
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Brian Grant Foundation has a demonstrated commitment to financial integrity.
Tax ID: 27-1628944
