Advocacy Training Speakers

I come from a family affected by Huntingtons disease. My mother, brother and sister have passed away with the disease. I have been engaged in patient advocacy since we learned about my mother’s diagnosis. First in the Norwegian Huntington Association for almost 30 years and since 2008 in the European Huntington Association and European Federation of Neurological Associations. My educational background is teaching, developmental psychology, communication, innovation and management. I ended my carrier within the educational system in 2016 when I took over as President and CEO of the European Huntington Association (EHA) a position I still hold. In 2023 I was elected President of EFNA. Also, a position I still hold. I am based in Norway where I live together with my husband.  

Dr. Neerja Chowdhary is a psychiatrist and works in WHO's Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. She plays a key role in advancing the implementation of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (2022–2031). Her work focuses on developing normative guidance and practical tools to support countries in strengthening their health systems for neurological care. Dr. Chowdhary leads efforts to convene global, regional, and national stakeholders, fostering collaboration across sectors to address the growing burden of neurological disorders. She also supports capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving access to diagnosis, treatment, and care, while promoting integrated approaches that reduce stigma and enhance equity. Through these efforts, she contributes to WHO’s mission of ensuring that brain health becomes a global priority and that people living with neurological conditions receive the care and dignity they deserve. 

David Corcoran is a Language & Communication Coach with a rich background in professional opera and a dedication to enhancing communication skills across diverse sectors. David spent eight years as a Principal Tenor with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House, where he mastered the nuances of voice modulation, stage presence, and audience engagement. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation and a Certified Emotional Intelligence Facilitator with Six Seconds, David is adept at guiding professionals to refine their communication prowess and leadership presence. David has been the English Coach at Die Schule des Sprechens for the last 7 years and is also a University Lecturer in International Business Communication at Hochschule Burgenland focused on soft skill development. David believes it is important that people take responsibility for their communication and his unique skills and talents help people to achieve this. 

Sanja Gluscevic is a dedicated neurologist and PhD candidate driving innovation in brain health. As an EAN brain health Ambassador, she launched the pioneering Montenegrin Brain Health School Challenge to empower youth with vital neurological knowledge and spread awareness on brain health. Her work is defined by her leadership: She is currently honing her skills in the EAN Leadership Programme and serving as Co-Chair of the European Charcot Foundation Young investigators and fellowship community. She is a passionate member of the YES ILAE Advocacy Task Force and a TSF Ambassador, committed to improving patient care. Her core mission is to bridge clinical excellence with impactful advocacy and education.  

Dr. Justin Jordan is Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee and member of the Brain Health Committee for the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). He also serves as the AAN member representative to the EAN’s Brain Health Mission. Dr. Jordan is a veteran advocate and advocacy educator, having moderated the AAN’s Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum previously, and also serving as co-chair of the AAN/WFN Global Advocacy Leadership Program in 2025. Outside of his work for the AAN, Dr. Jordan is a neurologist from Dallas, Texas with a busy academic clinical practice and an extensive translational and clinical research portfolio focused on brain tumors, neurofibromatosis, and schwannomatosis. 

Magda Krommyda is a Neurologist specializing in Vascular and Preventive Neurology, serving as an EAN Ambassador for Neurology and Brain Health and a member of the South-Eastern European Brain Health Task Force, representing Greece. She is co-founder of the Institute of Preventive Neurology and Brain Health in her hometown Thessaloniki and the national project coordinator of the Brain Health School Challenge in Greece, promoting awareness and action on brain health across the region. An RCP-accredited Educational Supervisor and faculty member of the Hellenic Open University’s Brain Health program, Magda draws on her clinical experience from Greece, Germany, and the UK to advance education, advocacy, and public engagement in Neurology and Brain Health. 

Matilde Leonardi is a neurologist, paediatrician, neonatologist, and paediatric neurologist specialising in bioethics. She is Director of Unit at IRCCS National Neurological Institute Besta. Her activity in the field of disorders of consciousness allows her team to have one of the largest epidemiological databases on such patients worldwide. She is a WHO expert on disability and ageing, co-chair of the WHO-FIC (Family of International Classifications) Functioning and Disability Reference Group- FDRG and Director of the Italian WHO Collaborating Centre Research Branch. Leonardi has co-ordinated and partnered on several, EU-funded and non-EU-funded research projects, including within the FP6, FP7, Horizon2020 programmes (MHADIE, MURINET, COURAGE in EUROPE, PATHWAYS and partner in PARADISE, MARATONE  ATHLOS, CHRODIS Plus,EMPOWER). Dr. Leonardi is also a consultant on public health, UNCRPD monitoring and disability policy development for several European and non-European Governments and is an expert for the European Commission on public health, ageing, disability and neurosciences. 

Donna Walsh joined the International Bureau for Epilepsy [IBE] as Chief Executive Officer in January 2022. Since her appointment she has been responsible for overseeing the new strategic direction of IBE and, is working to ensure IBE empowers and amplifies the voices of people with epilepsy globally. Prior to her role with IBE, she worked as Executive Director of the European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA) for 10 years. Donna has been active in representing the neurology patient community throughout her career, including as a board member of the European Brain Council, a member of the European Affairs Sub-Committee at the European Academy of Neurology, and as a member of the World Health Organization’s NeuroCovid Global Forum. Donna has also moderated and chaired many events and has shared patient insights at high-level conferences and meetings at institutions such as the World Health Organisation and European Parliament. 

 Dr. Antonella Santuccione Chadha is a medical doctor and global leader in neuroscience, psychiatry, and precision medicine. Her career spans academia, major pharmaceutical companies (Roche, Biogen), and health-tech start-ups (Altoida), where she led diverse, multicultural teams and mentored women scientists across continents. As Co-Founder and CEO of the Women’s Brain Foundation, she is redefining how science and innovation serve women’s health — promoting brain health equity through science, innovation, and collaboration. Recognised among Switzerland’s Top 100 Women in Business and recipient of multiple international honors — including the World Sustainability Award, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, the Women Empowering Award, the Katherinenturm Project Award and in 2025, the Italian "Gentile da Fabriano" prize — Dr. Santuccione Chadha continues to translate scientific progress into social impact, inspiring a new generation of changemakers to lead with evidence and empathy. 

Tomislav Sokol, born in Zagreb, graduated magna cum laude in law from the University of Zagreb in 2006. He earned an LL.M. in EU law from the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) in 2009, also with distinction, and a PhD in 2014, focusing on the EU's free movement of cross-border healthcare services. Sokol served as Assistant Minister in Croatia's Ministry of Science and Education in 2017, later becoming a Member of the Croatian Parliament. Since 2019, he has been a Member of the European Parliament, where he holds key positions, including EPP Coordinator in the Committee on Public Health. Sokol is the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the European Health Data Space, as well as the rapporteur on Critical medicines Act, and EPP's shadow rapporteur for GPL, and pharmaceutical reform rapporteur. His areas of interest include the law of the European common market, EU health law, administrative law, competition law, international and European social law and international and European trade law.

Dr Agne Straukiene is a Consultant Neurologist and Research Lead at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK, with over 14 years’ experience in multiple sclerosis (MS). Appointed as a full-time consultant in 2016, she has become a leading MS specialist nationally, pioneering digital and lifestyle-based innovations in neurological care. As an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter, she leads translational research on biosensors, data integration, and digital-twin modelling to enhance precision neurology. Dr Straukiene co-chairs national MS research initiatives and is recognised for bridging neuroscience with holistic and mindfulness-based approaches to patient wellbeing. Her innovations include co-designing digital MS management tools (InfoFlex MS, Connect Plus app, MS PKB), leading the RDN South West Peninsula MS portfolio, and founding the Healthy Lifestyle MS Clinics, recognised with the MS Brain Health Team Award 2022. She also hosts the BeeWellWith MS podcast translating science into compassionate care.