New York, NY (January 26, 2026) — The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease and their families, today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Dr. Aaron Lasker, Lisa Mooney, LCSW, and Hiren Patel.
“The election of these three distinguished leaders comes at a critical time for HDSA as we finalize our new strategic roadmap. Dr. Lasker, Lisa, and Hiren bring the exact blend of professional excellence and personal passion needed to support our upcoming strategic priorities. Their leadership ensures we have the right team in place to drive our mission forward and expand our reach to every family affected by HD and we are honored to welcome them to HDSA’s Board of Trustees.” said Amy Gray, HDSA President & CEO.
“Each of these new trustees embodies the heart of HDSA: bringing people together, listening to families, and turning compassion into action,” said Jenne Coler-Dark, Chair of the HDSA Board of Trustees. “Their leadership will help us advance our mission and ensure families impacted by Huntington’s disease are supported—today and for the future.”
New Board of Trustees Members
Dr. Aaron Lasker
Dr. Aaron Lasker is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania in the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center and serves as Director of the Penn Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence. He specializes in the treatment of Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders, with a particular interest in non-motor symptoms and the incorporation of palliative care into routine neurologic care. Dr. Lasker is involved in multiple clinical trials for Huntington’s disease.
Dr. Lasker graduated Magna cum laude from Brown University with a degree in neuroscience and earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed his neurology residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the Harvard Neurology Program—serving as chief resident—and completed a joint fellowship in movement disorders and cognitive neurology.
Lisa Mooney, LCSW
Lisa Mooney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with the Northern California HD Community and the HDSA Center of Excellence at UC Davis since 2010. She partners closely with individuals and families impacted by Huntington’s disease to navigate care, access resources, and address challenges across the disease journey. Lisa also facilitates local and national support groups, provides education at the local and national level, and actively participates in HD fundraising events.
Lisa earned her Master’s of Social Work from California State University, Sacramento in 2006 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2010. A Northern California native, she lives in Roseville, California, with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, and enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time at Lake Tahoe, Bodega Bay, and Disneyland.
Hiren Patel
Hiren Patel is a technology entrepreneur and community leader with more than 15 years of experience founding and managing businesses across software development, digital marketing, and asset management. He is the Founder and CEO of Teqtivity, an asset management software company trusted by leading global enterprises.
Born and raised in Birmingham, England, Hiren moved to California with his family in 1998 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona. His connection to the Huntington’s disease community began in 2005 when his brother was diagnosed. He started volunteering with HDSA in 2011 and has since served as President of the HDSA Los Angeles Chapter (2019–2024) and Chair of the Team Hope Walk (2022–2024). He and his wife co-founded Hoops for HD, a community basketball event supporting HDSA’s mission, and he also runs half and full marathons to raise awareness and funds for HD.
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About the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA)
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease and their families. HDSA provides community-based support services, education, advocacy, and leadership while funding groundbreaking research toward treatments.
