PARKINSON’S ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO STAFF, HISPANIC INITIATIVE COORDINATOR, MEDICAL ADVISORY DIRECTOR
Stephanie Murphy – Executive Director
Stephanie Murphy is a San Diego native with more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. She has held leadership roles with the San Diego Housing Commission, Money Management International, and San Diego Career Opportunity Partners, where she has led programs focused on workforce development, financial education, and community advancement.
Her connection to the Parkinson’s cause is deeply personal. Stephanie’s late father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010 and benefited greatly from the services of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, inspiring her continued commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by the disease.
Stephanie earned her Doctorate in Organizational Innovation from National University, a Master’s in Management from the University of Redlands, and a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology from San Diego State University.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and paddle boarding, participating in weekly trivia nights with her boyfriend, and caring for her two cats and newly adopted flock of chickens. Stephanie can be reached by email here or at 619-942-1871.
Jeff Seckendorf – Director of Operations
Jeff brings a wealth of experience and talent to PASD. After a long career in the film industry, Jeff went on to form several successful small businesses, including a technology startup and Coach Me Strong. Jeff produces the PASD Microcast Series and, along with board president Marty Acevedo, Jeff created and runs the PASD Mentor Program.
Jeff manages audio, video, and written content for PASD, along with programming, events, and other operational responsibilities.
An avid cyclist, Jeff races his bicycle on the road and track at the national level. Jeff can be reached by email here or at or at 619-373-5476.
Steve Steinberg, LCSW – Community Liaison
Steve is a hopeful person living with Parkinson’s since 2013. He brings his message of hope to others through his actions and commitment to the Parkinson’s community. He worked for 28 years in the public mental health setting and is a licensed clinical social worker. He started and continues to coordinate the PASD young onset Parkinson’s program.
Steve will be answering the phone when you contact the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. He will be able to help you with resources, referrals, and other information related to PASD’s services.
Steve can be reached by email here or at or at our main number, 858-210-5674.
Lisbeth Garces – Hispanic Community Liaison
Venezuela-born Lisbeth Garces envisioned a program that would provide regular classes for people with disabilities. She formed a non-profit, Juan Carlos Organization, in memory of her son – www.jcorg.org.
She then reached out to the Latino community so they could receive help. Lisbeth completed Rock Steady Boxing training in 2020 and is teaching bi-lingual RSB classes in the South Bay area for people with Parkinson’s.
In 2021 she became PASD’s Hispanic Community Liaison and in 2022 she became an Aware in Care Ambassador. Lisbeth can be reached by email here or at or at 619-971-3904.
Dr. Brenton Wright – Movement Disorders Neurologist and Medical Advisor to PASD
Brent Wright, MD is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, and neuro-hospitalist. Dr. Wright cares for inpatients with neurological emergencies at Scripps Encinitas, Tri City Medical Center, and Palomar/Pomerado Medical Centers. He completed his neurology residency at Columbia University and movement disorders fellowship training under Dr. Stanley Fahn at Columbia & the Neurological Institute of New York. He worked as Assistant Professor of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, and then Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at UC San Diego before joining The Neurology Center of Southern California in 2023. While at UC San Diego he served as Director of the movement disorders fellowship program and authored a successful application for the prestigious Michael J Fox Foundation Edmond J. Safra fellowship grant. He has extensive experience with clinical trials and has published numerous research articles. He is a member of the Parkinson Study Group, the Huntington Study Group, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Neurological Association.
Dr. Wright is the Medical Advisory Director for the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. In this role he is helping to design and implement systemic changes that improve experiences and outcomes for persons with PD that are admitted to the hospital. He is passionate about improving the quality of life for persons with PD and their caregivers. Dr. Wright is also a part time Voluntary Clinical Professor at UC San Diego where he works on clinical trials in the Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence and in the HD multidisciplinary clinic.
Dr. Wright is a native of Louisville, KY. He is an avid sports fan, especially of the University of Louisville Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals. In his free time he enjoys surfing, hiking, mountain biking, running, live music, camping, and tennis.
