Steve Yellen
Author | Parkinson’s Advocate | Speaker | PMD Alliance Ambassador | Parkinson's Foundation Ambassador/Research Advocate |
Michael J. Fox Foundation Policy Program Leader
Steve Yellen is the author of Living Parkinson’s, a practical guide built around seven strategies for living an active, purposeful and fulfilling life with Parkinson’s. He is a Parkinson’s advocate, speaker, research advocate and community leader who is committed to helping people with Parkinson’s take a proactive approach to living well and to advancing the search for better treatments and a cure.
Professionally, Steve is a seasoned technology marketing leader whose career has spanned pricing strategy, product marketing and executive leadership across a wide range of technology-driven companies. With more than 25 years of experience guiding both startups and global enterprises, he has built a reputation for turning complex challenges into transformative results.
An engineer by training, Steve holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Connecticut. His technical and analytical background has also shaped the way he approaches Parkinson’s, leading him to become deeply engaged in research and the science behind the disease.
Living with Parkinson’s
Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 at age 55. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define what he could or could not do, he chose to take a proactive approach—turning to research, data, exercise and personal experimentation to better understand how to live well with the disease.
As he educated himself and became more deeply involved in the Parkinson’s community, Steve began documenting what he was learning and what was working for him. That process eventually evolved into the Living Parkinson’s framework, built around seven strategies: attitude, knowledge, support, exercise, wellness, advocacy and research.
The framework became the foundation for his book, Living Parkinson’s, which was the #1 New Release in the Parkinson’s Disease category on Amazon for its entire first month and has since sold more than 2,000 copies in 11 countries in under 8 months.
Through his book, speaking and advocacy, Steve shares a central message: a Parkinson’s diagnosis does not have to define what is still possible.
Research and Advocacy
Research has become an important part of Steve’s Parkinson’s journey. He spends significant time following developments in Parkinson’s science and has participated in research studies and programs involving institutions including Yale, Columbia, Weill Cornell Medicine, the University of Delaware, Boston University, Stanford, Tel Aviv University, the University of Rochester, George Washington University and McGill University.
He is a participant in PD GENEration and the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s PPMI study and has worked with researchers and study sponsors to bring the perspective of someone living with Parkinson’s into the research process.
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Steve serves as a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador and Research Advocate, a PMD Alliance Ambassador and a Michael J. Fox Foundation Policy Program Leader. He has participated in Parkinson’s Foundation Community Grants Reviews and has served as a Consumer Reviewer on the scientific peer review panel for the Department of Defense’s Parkinson’s Research Program.
His advocacy extends beyond research. Steve has participated in Parkinson’s Policy Forums in Washington, D.C., where he has led the Connecticut delegation and served as a lead speaker in meetings with congressional staff. He has advocated directly with members of Congress on Parkinson’s legislation and has worked with Connecticut state legislators on Parkinson’s research and brain health initiatives.
For Steve, advocacy is not simply about raising awareness. It is about making sure the voice and experience of people living with Parkinson’s are part of the conversations that shape research, public policy and the future of the disease.
Living an Active Life
Exercise is another cornerstone of Steve’s approach to Parkinson’s. He trains regularly and has competed in triathlons, Spartan and other obstacle-course events and the Empire State Building Stair Climb.
Over the years, his training has included running, cycling, swimming, strength training, boxing, balance work and other forms of aerobic, neuromotor and flexibility training. He has completed multiple Spartan/OCR races, seven sprint triathlons—including a podium finish—and multiple Empire State Building Stair Climbs, often alongside his adult children as Team Yellen.
He has also used his athletic challenges to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s organizations. Since 2023, Team Yellen has raised more than $15,000 through Parkinson’s Champions for the Parkinson’s Foundation and Team Fox for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
These experiences have reinforced Steve’s belief in the importance of goal-setting, self-efficacy and continuing to challenge yourself regardless of a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Speaker and Community Leader
Steve regularly speaks to Parkinson’s support groups, organizations, conferences, symposiums and fundraising events. He has served as a keynote speaker at Parkinson’s fundraisers and symposiums and has delivered presentations focused on living actively with Parkinson’s, the Living Parkinson’s framework, exercise, goal-setting, self-efficacy, purpose and taking a proactive approach after diagnosis.
His presentations combine personal experience with practical strategies that audiences can take away and apply to their own lives.
Steve has also participated as a panelist at Parkinson’s educational conferences and has contributed his perspective to Parkinson’s community initiatives, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s exercise resources.
Whether speaking to a small support group or delivering a keynote to a large audience, Steve's goal is the same: to help people see that there is still a great deal they can do, accomplish and experience after a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Professional Background
Outside of his Parkinson’s advocacy work, Steve continues to work full-time in the technology industry. Over the course of his career, he has held marketing, sales and executive leadership positions at technology companies ranging from startups to global enterprises.
His professional experience has also given him extensive speaking experience. He has presented at conferences and marketing events and has moderated panels for organizations including Product Marketing Alliance. He is comfortable speaking both in person and virtually.
Steve lives in Connecticut with his wife and is the father of four adult children. He continues to promote the Living Parkinson’s message through speaking, writing, advocacy, research participation and community engagement.
His purpose is simple: to do everything he can to fight Parkinson’s, help others live well with the disease and support the effort to find a cure.