Dr. Maria De Leon is a retired Movement Disorder Specialist and a person living with Parkinson's.  After developing Young Onset Parkinson's Disease she took her knowledge and began Advocacy work.

She is a bestselling author of Parkinson’s Diva, A Woman’s Guide to Parkinson’s .

Dr. De Leon is a research advocate who works on improving diversity in PD research, she initiated movement in gender differences in PD, working with women with PD around the globe to become more empowered.