Wisconsin Staff and Board of Directors

Jessica Wagner, Board President

Jessica Wagner is a Senior Marketing Manager at Slipstream. She has 15 years of experience in marketing for a variety of industries along with developing and implementing strategic marketing plans, event planning, brand awareness campaigns, website development, and helping organizations use their Customer Relationship Management software. Jessica’s father was diagnosed with PD around 2008 and she joined the board to better understand how PD affects not only the individual but their family and be able to provide resources to her family as his PD progresses. Jessica will be leading the planning and management of the Wisconsin Parkinson’s Symposium. She is also on the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association, Madison Chapter.

 Shappily married with two adult children.

Kristi Papez, Secretary

Kristi Papez is an attorney at Wispact, Inc., a Madison non-profit that manages trusts for persons with disabilities. She has many personal and professional connections to individuals living with Parkinson’s. Kristi is an avid runner and wine-drinker, and looks forward to assisting with APDA’s many fundraising events, including the annual Optimism Walk, the fun run, and wine event.  She also has a husband and two little girls to keep her on her toes.

Susan Armstrong, Treasurer

Susan Armstrong is a physical therapist and the owner/founder Stellar Rehabilitation, LLC.  Stellar Rehabilitation is a comprehensive therapy provider, offering physical, occupational and speech/language therapy services to a variety of clients, including people with Parkinson’s disease. Susan partners with home care, hospice and assisted living organizations, providing skilled therapists offering excellent care in multiple settings and through multidisciplinary approaches. Her team offers community presentations and complimentary Falls Prevention Screenings.

Tom Engels

As CEO of T.A. Engels Consulting, Tom Engels has 35+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, media, and fundraising. Engels has provided business development, marketing, and grant writing services to many nonprofits, including Tellurian Inc. Experienced in securing new business relationships and expanding existing business partnerships, Engels has facilitated strategic planning workshops with a focus on increasing revenue, brand awareness, and community support.

Moses Milchberg

As a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Moses studies the atomic structure and function of aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein, which are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease. He is personally connected to PD through both of his grandmothers, both of them living with PD-like diseases for many years. He is passionate about being a part of the Wisconsin chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, being able to help communicate research to members of the community and organize events bringing patients, families and researchers together. Along with Jessica, Moses will also serve as a connection between the chapter and the university, gathering volunteers and organizing various community events. 

Bill Ryan

Bill Ryan is new to the Board, having just retired from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension. For 31 years he has worked in community economic development, helping Wisconsin communities increase the vitality of their downtowns. Through his Extension work, he has developed tools to evaluate communities and identify gaps in businesses, services and infrastructure that could improve local quality of life. The University’s commitment to serving all corners of the state mirrors the Association’s desire to do the same. As an Emeritus educator, Bill hopes to develop new connections between the University and the Association’s outreach efforts and make a difference in the Parkinson’s community. Having Parkinson’s Disease for over a decade, he is especially grateful to so many who have helped him along the way (including an extraordinarily generous kidney donor).  

Chuck Geurink

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, Chuck Geurink is excited to be engaged in APDA’s efforts in the fight against Parkinson’s Disease. He is a retired Senior Vice President from Marshall Erdman & Assoc. (now Erdman) where he enjoyed a 30 year career in the design-build business, developing healthcare facilities nationally. He also served an 11 year term on the board of Stout University Foundation. Chuck and his wife Jeanie have two happily married children and four loving grandchildren (ages 18 to 26).

Jessica Han

As a graduate student, Jessica investigates about how brain health can be influenced by environmental factors such as diet and gut bacteria. She also has a personal connection to PD, as her grandmother lived with the disease for many years. Both connections make her very passionate about being a part of the American Parkinson Disease Association. Jessica will serve as a student connection with UW-Madison to advocate for raising disease awareness, organize volunteers, and help with community events.