SARASOTA, Fla. — Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, recently selected Kristen Lessig Schenerlein for the position of program director.
Lessig Schenerlein possesses more than 14 years of not-for-profit management experience and community engagement in the health and human services industry. She brings superior knowledge of partnership development, staff and volunteer leadership and financial management to the nonprofit.
In her new role, Lessig Schenerlein will execute and oversee all programming content, including all monthly programs in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Pinellas, Marion and Sebring Counties. She will also recruit and train program volunteer ambassadors, identify and implement new programs and organize and lead the nonprofit’s Distinguished Speakers Series, among other responsibilities.
Talent management company MBJ Group led the nonprofit’s search for the position.
“We are so pleased to welcome Kristen to our dynamic team,” said Robyn Faucy-Washington, chief executive officer of the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s. “Kristen will oversee the creation, implementation and evaluation of all Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s programs and services. She will also supervise our team of three care advisors. She has been a catalyst for change within the communities she served, and her impressive nonprofit management experience will allow Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s to reach and serve even more people.”
Most recently, Lessig Schenerlein served as the association executive director of youth development for the Sarasota Family YMCA. During her time there, she implemented strategic plan goals and objectives for the organization in the area of youth development.
She also worked as the executive director for The Center of Anna Maria Island Inc. and was a co-founder and executive director of Virginia-based Sportable Richmond Adaptive Sports and Recreation. Lessig Schenerlein previously taught Nonprofit Management as an adjunct faculty member at the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for its sports leadership graduate program.
She is a consultant with the Patterson Foundation as an engagement member for its Suncoast campaign for grade-level reading. Lessig Schenerlein received her bachelor’s degree in recreation and sports management with a minor in psychology and a therapeutic recreation concentration.
She has earned certificates in nonprofit management and as an emerging nonprofit leader and also has director and staff credentials through the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. She is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Manatee through the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m extremely honored to be to join the team at Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s,” said Lessig Schenerlein. “The organization is an amazing community asset, and I look forward to continuing to move the mission forward for those living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.”
Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s accomplishes its mission by providing individualized care advising, community resource referrals and semi-annual educational events. The nonprofit serves more than 2,700 people affected by Parkinson’s each year at no charge – thanks to the generosity of the communities it serves.
About MBJ Group
Founded in 2000 by Mary Beth and Jim Bos, MBJ Group is a talent management company. The husband-and-wife team has over 60 years of combined experience paired with the creativity, human capital and strategic resources to get the optimal performance from an organization. The premier provider’s services include employee, group and individual talent management solutions, job placement, staff development and strategic services, executive recruitment and onboarding and transitioning services. For more information, visit www.MBJGroup.com.