Our Team

Our mission is to enhance access to and awareness of research-driven exercise that improves quality of life for people with Parkinson disease.

We are always looking for talented professionals to join the PWR! Team. Please contact us to learn about the latest opportunities to support our mission.

Core Values

  • Empowerment

  • Responsiveness

  • Collaboration

  • Professionalism

  • Integrity

KimPeute

Kimberly Peute – JD, MBA Chief Executive Officer

Kimberly Peute joined PWR! in 2015 with a background in portfolio and project management spanning both government and commercial sectors. Working for the Air Force, she oversaw the planning, scheduling, and execution of processes in a developmental flight test organization, during which time she became a certified Master Trainer in Theory of Constraints Portfolio Management.

Upon leaving civil service, she took on a new role as a management consultant and worked with clients in industries ranging from ice cream to submarines. Helping dozens of companies design and implement transformational changes, her efforts have helped clients increase on-time project completions, reduce project lead times, more effectively utilize resources, align organizational policies and processes, and achieve breakthroughs in bottom-line performance. Kim is proud to put her skills to use as part of the passionate and professional PWR! team. Kimberly holds a JD from the University of Arizona, an MBA from Webster University, a BA in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Northern Iowa. She is an avid runner and cyclist, a travel addict, and a lifelong pianist.

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Becky Farley – PhD, MS, PT Chief Scientific Officer & Founder

Dr. Becky Farley is a physical therapist, neuroscientist, and Parkinson exercise specialist, as well as the Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Parkinson Wellness Recovery | PWR!. She received her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Arizona, her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina, and her Bachelor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Oklahoma. In her capacity as an expert on exercise for people with Parkinson disease, Dr. Farley delivers public and medical seminars across the US and world. Her postdoctoral research, for which she was awarded an R21 NIH grant, investigated the muscle activation deficits underlying bradykinesia in people with PD. Dr. Farley completed a randomized clinical trial to establish the benefits of LSVT BIG®, the first whole-body, amplitude- focused, physical and occupational therapy exercise approach for individuals with PD.

Dr. Farley is also the creator of PWR!Moves, a Parkinson-specific skill training approach that directly targets the training of amplitude into building blocks of function, where each of the building blocks counteracts a primary motor control deficit known to interfere with everyday mobility. Since 2006, Dr. Farley has been training therapists and fitness professionals, teaching them to work together to create rehabilitation and community exercise programs that apply neuroplasticity-based principles of practice to work toward shared PD-specific functional goals.

Stemming from her belief that lifelong access to integrated rehabilitation and community exercise and wellness programming is what’s necessary to optimize and perpetuate functional mobility benefits and to slow disease progression, Dr. Farley’s current focus is the publication of research using data from the Tucson-based PWR!Gym facility and integrating new research into PWR!Moves workshops and PWR!Gym programming.

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Calli Hutchison, PT, DPT Rehabilitation Manager

Calli joined PWR! in 2017 on a clinical rotation as a physical therapy student and in 2019 accepted a position as a PWR!Gym physical therapist. In addition to her current role as Rehabilitation Manager, Calli also organizes the PWR! Wellness Series and serves as the site coordinator of clinical education.

Calli discovered her passion for working with people with Parkinson disease in 2014 while assisting with a research study on activity levels in people with Parkinson’s. After earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2018 from Bellarmine University, Calli took a position as the lead physical therapist at a skilled nursing facility in Indiana.

Calli loves to travel and spend time outdoors with her husband and son. You can find her and her family on the weekends hiking the desert or enjoying a restaurant patio.

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Pandora Larsen Exercise Therapy Manager

Pandora joined the PWR! team in 2019 as an exercise therapist leading the morning HIIT class. That same year she joined the staff full-time as the Exercise Therapy Manager. As the manager, she oversees group classes, gym members, and supervises instructors. She also provides one-on-one wellness consultations and teaches groups classes.

Pandora is an ACE certified personal trainer, a certified Functional Aging Specialist, PWR!Moves instructor, Rock Steady Boxing Coach, and TRX personal trainer. She left her career as an event planner to pursue her passion for fitness and helping others. After being in the fitness industry for over 25 years, she was led to the PWR!Gym where she specializes in the health and wellness of people as they age and the unique needs of people with Parkinson’s disease.

Outside of the gym Pandora loves to be outdoors running, biking, hiking, camping, and spending time with her family.

Brian Simpson

Brian Simpson Director of Professional Education

A native Tucsonan, Brian returned to Tucson and joined PWR! in 2023 after nearly a decade spent in New York City as the Director of Communications and Strategy for The Riverside Church in the City of New York.  A seasoned non-profit communications professional, Brian has experience guiding and supporting teams in branding, marketing, public relations, information technology, and operations.  Seeing the big picture, being a team player, and acting as a servant leader have been guiding principles throughout his career.

Brian received his BA in Communications from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Ottawa University.

In his spare time, Brian enjoys all things baseball and music alongside his wife Jennyvi.

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Jennifer Bazan-Wigle, PT, DPT, CEEAA Physical Therapist

Jennifer has been with PWR! since 2013, applying her enthusiasm, expertise, and passion as a physical therapist for people with Parkinson’s. From day to day, you can find her treating individuals one-on-one, providing group exercise instruction, or developing on-demand video and educational content.

Jennifer is a senior member of the PWR!Moves professional education faculty and has delivered over 100 training workshops across the US and world. In doing so, Jennifer has trained thousands of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and fitness professionals to implement evidence-informed rehabilitation and group exercise for people with PD. She has earned advanced credentialing from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Geriatric section as a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult (CEEAA) and as a Credentialed Balance and Falls Prevention Professional.

In her free time, you can find Jennifer hiking or running with her husband and dog Rip in the Tucson Mountains, traveling the world, and cooking for (and eating with!) family and friends.

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Shelley Hockensmith, PT, MPT Physical Therapist Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist

Shelley Hockensmith is a physical therapist. She has been a PWR! supporter since its conception, helping as a consulting therapist for many years and then joining the therapy team in 2019.

Shelley has been a physical therapist for 20 years with experience primarily in outpatient neurological clinics. She has been a Board Certified Neurologic Specialist since 2007 and has specialized training in movement disorders as well as balance and vestibular disorders. In addition to providing individualized therapy, she also serves as faculty in PWR! professional training. Shelley has been a professional volunteer for several adaptive sports organizations locally and internationally.

A southern Indiana native, Shelley graduated from the University of Evansville in 2003 and moved to Tucson in 2005. She enjoys working in her desert gardens and is an avid exerciser which helps her keep up with her two very active boys.

Mary Beth Busch

Mary Beth Busch, MA Program Manager-Professional Education

Mary Beth Busch joins PWR! as Program Manager for Professional Education having served as a college and university professor in four states over 25 years and was a long-time administrator of educational programs in West Virginia, Ohio, Arizona, and New Mexico. Throughout her work in higher education her motivation was access to educational opportunities needed to improve the quality of life for marginalized students, whether through academic or skills based learning. She is an expert in curriculum development, workforce training, continuing education, and competency-based learning. She has been a regular speaker on a variety of topics regarding education at the local, state, and national levels and looks forward to sharing the good works of PWR!

She earned a Bachelors’ in Psychology, Sociology, and Communication Studies, a Master’s degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication and has completed all but her dissertation for her Doctorate in Education in Higher Education Leadership and Administration all from West Virginia University Her leadership in community college workforce development provided extensive experience in delivery of professional and continuing education and she is excited to be a part of the educational outreach at PWR! through supporting comprehensive and state-of-the-art educational programs.

She has been a Tucsonan since 2016 and enjoys the beautiful mountain ranges that nestle the city, hiking with her Goldendoodle, Guthrie, among the magical saguaros, and volunteering with local and national Parkinson’s Disease organizations. Joining PWR! is not only an excellent career choice which she cherishes but is also a personal passion as she serves as the carepartner for her husband who has lived with Parkinson’s Disease for several years. She and her husband, Dr. Gregg Busch, live in Oro Valley and are the proud parents of Nicholas and Grace. She is most happy to simply be Mimi to Max, Harper, and Althea.

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Julia Edgerton

Hello, I'm Julia Edgerton and thrilled to be joining the Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery team in the role of Coordinator – Professional Education! I’m excited for this opportunity to enhance well-being within our community and beyond by ensuring access to essential professional development resources. I am a 14-year resident of Tucson and a graduate of the University of Arizona, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Organizational Leadership. My background includes meaningful work in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communications field and a passion for entrepreneurship. Outside of work, I cherish spending time with friends and family, painting, and continuing studies related to the concept of personal and community resilience. I'm dedicated to creating a world where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive, and I am eager to facilitate the cultivation of well-being in any way I can.

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Amanda Tucker, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant

Amanda Tucker is a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with 7 years of experience in both hospital and outpatient clinic settings. Specializing in orthopedics, sports medicine, and neurological diagnoses, Amanda has demonstrated her commitment to providing exceptional care to a diverse range of patients.

In 2019, Amanda achieved certification as a PWR!Moves Therapist. Her passion for improving the lives of those with Parkinson disease led her to teach a group circuit-style exercise class tailored to individuals with PD.

Her diverse professional journey includes roles as a fitness instructor, showcasing her commitment to holistic well-being. Amanda's involvement in soccer extends beyond her coaching expertise, as she has played at a high level across the United States and Europe.

A proud Texas native, Amanda's interests go beyond the realm of healthcare. A fervent supporter of Manchester City, she enjoys watching and cheering for her favorite soccer team. Amanda's zest for life is evident in her hobbies, which include Latin dancing, weight lifting, and exploring new foods and restaurants.

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Tami Frank, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant

Tami Frank joined Parkinson Wellness Recovery in October 2023 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She is dedicated to the profession with over a decade of experience in the field, having begun her career as a PTA in 2009. She possesses a deep passion for helping others regain their strength and mobility and enjoys getting to meet new people and learn about their lives.

She has worked in a variety of settings as a PTA including hospitals, home health, and skilled nursing facilities. Prior to her PTA career, Tami was a preschool teacher and water aerobics instructor, further highlighting her commitment to health and wellness.

Tami has lived in Tucson for most of her life but has also resided in Oregon and Colorado. Outside of work, you can find Tami enjoying a walk or rocking out to her favorite band, Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She is loved by her husband, three kids, two dogs, and granddaughter.

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Vanessa Durazo Therapy Coordinator

Vanessa joined PWR! Gym in 2024 with a vast knowledge of physical therapy and patient care spanning 16 years, driven by doing the best possible job professionally. Vanessa is a graduate of Pima Community College in General Business and received a certification as a Patient Care Technician. She is now endeavoring to maximize her skills - she is currently obtaining her associate's in human resources management. A bilingual native Arizonian with a passion to help individuals with Parkinson's circumvent the obstacles of physical therapy, her ultimate goal is help make a difference. If you don't see Vanessa in the office, she's most likely on the sidelines cheering on her sons' sports activities or enjoying a relaxing adventure of fishing, camping, or traveling with her husband. Fun Fact: Disneyland is her playground and was enchanted when she was proposed to in front of the castle... she said YES by the way! 

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Melissa Kelly Fitness Coordinator

Melissa started working at PWR! in August 2022 as an Exercise Therapist teaching group classes. She is now serving as the Fitness Coordinator and continuing to lead group classes.

Before coming to PWR!, Melissa worked in a local gym as a Master Personal Trainer and as a flexologist at the Stretch Lab where she performed assisted stretching on people using the “contract, release” method. She continues to teach indoor cycling classes at LA Fitness. It is not unusual to see her riding her bike into work as well.

In addition to cycling, one of her greatest loves is judo, a Japanese martial art that dates to 1882. She says there are few things that make her smile as much as seeing an eight-year-old girl learn to legitimately throw a full-grown man.

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Collin Bryant Fitness Coordinator

Collin joined the PWR! team as a fitness coordinator in early 2024. In his free time, he enjoys coaching his kid's basketball and baseball teams, and he and his family love going to UofA games to cheer on the Wildcats. Collin also enjoys getting outdoors and going on a hike or mountain biking when it's cooler weather.

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Natalie Comerford-Dadey Exercise Therapist

Natalie has been teaching for the PWR!Gym since 2013. Her love of mat Pilates, a format she began teaching in 2007, opened the door to becoming a PWR!Moves Certified Instructor, which evolved into more teaching opportunities, and ultimately a change of careers. Prior to teaching exercise classes full-time, Natalie spent 14 years in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine in hospital settings and 5 years teaching Polysomnography for Pima Medical Institute. During Natalie's time at PWR!, she has completed comprehensive Pilates training and national certification, (as well as certifications for formats including Barre', TRX, Silver Sneakers, Pop Pilates, and PiYo.) She loves working with special populations and having a positive impact on the quality of life for the individuals who attend her classes and private sessions. Natalie hopes to grow in her practice at PWR! and also as a Pilates instructor.