Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joanne Baker (PhD) as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective as she begins the transition process on Monday, May 6th. Dr. Baker steps into this role following the retirement of Jean Blake, who provided compassionate, forward-thinking leadership to the Society for over 10 years.

With a career in the non-profit sector that began in 1991, Dr. Baker has contributed significantly to a variety of service areas, including disability support, child welfare, and advocacy for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Her notable work in the UK's deinstitutionalization movement and her frontline support roles have been complemented by her academic contributions in Australian universities, where she focused on social work and community welfare education and research.

Since relocating to Vancouver in 2012, Dr. Baker has held key senior roles in provincial anti-violence and child welfare organizations, including the Strategic Initiatives Division of the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Belonging Network Support for Families and Youth Association. Her professional portfolio is complemented by her personal interests in film, literature, walking, football (soccer), and podcasts.

As PSBC welcomes Dr. Baker, the Society expresses immense gratitude to Jean Blake for her dedicated service and wishes her a fulfilling retirement. Dr. Baker's experience and passion for social welfare are poised to lead PSBC into a future marked by innovation, inclusivity, and expanded support for individuals and families affected by Parkinson's disease in British Columbia.