Executive Director, Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure
Heather Parker defines fierce as the ability to navigate the world with authenticity, despite your past. She knows firsthand, it means possessing strength and resilience regardless of outside energy.
Growing up with a difficult home life, she needed a strong will to thrive in the face of adversity. Parker decided to create her own story. She dedicated herself to academics and escaped to extracurricular activities, earning a scholarship to her first-choice college. Her childhood trauma created scars that strengthened her.
Parker’s children, James and Cameron, gave her a sense of purpose that she had never experienced. She is proud to watch them grow into healthy, confident teenagers that are who they are because of their parents– not in spite of them.
After volunteering with the nonprofit for ten years, the former teacher was named executive director for Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure. The foundation, established in honor of Rick and Michelle Staab’s children, Tyler and Samantha, is committed to discovering effective treatment and advancing research for a cure.
Her responsibilities include overseeing strategic planning, day-to-day operations, crisis management, board member and researcher/clinician relations, legal compliance, fundraising, advocacy and growth.
Parker has tremendous admiration for the foundation’s board and views herself as the conductor leading a harmonious and impactful organizational performance.
“Each area of the organization is part of the symphony.” She said, “It requires leadership and patience to effectively integrate each section but, when done right, we can make beautiful music.”
