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Profession: Community advocate and stay-at-home mother

Nonprofit: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

For Virginia Fitzgerald, the campaign to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease is a family matter. Her father-in-law was diagnosed 20 years ago. So when Virginia met her husband Richard — a longtime champion of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research — she knew what was at stake for more than 23,000 Tennesseans living with the disease.

“Parkinson’s impacts everyone in its orbit,” says Virginia. “We desperately need to find a cure.”  The Columbia University alumna has an impressive résumé — one that winds from art history to private equity, digital media, tech startups and local philanthropic pursuits at Warner Parks, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Centerstone and her children’s schools. 

Originally from California, Virginia  moved to Nashville from New York with Richard to raise their family in his hometown. Virginia envisioned the fundraiser “A Country Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s” as an event to support MJFF and broaden the organization’s footprint in Nashville. In its third year, “A Country Thing” brought Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town and comedian Dusty Slay to Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in April. Hosted by Sunday TODAY’s Willie Geist, the star-studded event raised $1 million for MJFF. 

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“The percentage of funds raised that go straight to research is truly awe-inspiring and the gold standard in charitable giving,” Virginia says of MJFF. “The team is beyond outstanding. Staffers are the best and brightest and most positive group of individuals, all working tirelessly toward our common goal.”

Meanwhile, admiration between the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the philanthropic Fitzgeralds is mutual.

“Virginia and her family, including her husband Richard, have long shown their unwavering support and dedication to people and families living with Parkinson’s, both through their personal generosity and their partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation,” says Kristin Pate, vice president and head of corporate and foundation giving for MJFF. “Today, we’re closer than ever to better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease … Our Nashville footprint has only grown with Virginia’s tremendous creativity and passion.”