Michael J. Fox Foundation Adds Private Equity and VC Leaders to Board

Event summary

  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) appointed Richard Fitzgerald (CapitalSpring) and Samir Kaul (Khosla Ventures) to its Board of Directors on February 27, 2026.
  • Both appointees have personal connections to Parkinson's disease and bring private sector leadership experience.
  • Fitzgerald has served on MJFF's Leadership Council for 10 years and co-chaired its Nashville gala since 2023.
  • Kaul's father passed away from Parkinson's in 2025, motivating his commitment to the cause.
  • MJFF has invested over $2.5 billion in Parkinson's research since its founding in 2000.

The big picture

The appointments reflect a strategic shift toward leveraging private sector expertise in nonprofit governance, particularly in the context of disease research funding. With over $2.5 billion invested in Parkinson's research, MJFF is positioning itself to accelerate breakthroughs through targeted collaborations and increased operational efficiency. The addition of venture capital and private equity leaders to its board suggests a growing emphasis on scalable funding models and innovative research approaches.

What we're watching

Strategic Funding
How the new board members' private equity and venture capital networks will impact MJFF's fundraising capabilities.
Research Acceleration
Whether the appointees' business acumen will translate into more efficient research funding and partnerships.
Governance Dynamics
The pace at which the foundation can integrate private sector strategies into its nonprofit model.