Giving Back
Brent’s passion for improving health care goes beyond the professional to the personal.
The potential to lead organizations in a way that genuinely helps people is what first drew Brent to the health care industry. Throughout his career, Brent has aimed to make health care more accessible, especially mental health services.
Community Hope
For more than 14 years, Brent has been involved with Community Hope, which provides mental health support and services to youths, veterans and their families.
In 2014, he was honored with the Sparkle of Hope Award for his efforts. Since 2017, Brent has served as leadership chair of the annual Sparkle of Hope Gala, which has raised more than $20 million since its inception in 1997.
Founded in 1985, Community Hope offers support for individuals experiencing a range of mental illnesses, disability and the risk of homelessness. Community Hope also recognizes the impacts of an individual’s mental health struggles on their family. In response, it partners with the families of those who have mental illness to provide holistic and sustainable solutions.
The Child Mind Institute
Brent serves on the board of directors for the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting children and families affected by mental health challenges and learning disorders. Based in New York City and San Francisco, the institute has reached thousands of children through its three mission areas: care, science and education. For decades, it has provided invaluable family services, such as residence placement and mental health treatment plans.
In recognition of his contributions to the Child Mind Institute, Brent received the 2021 Child Advocacy Award.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
More recently, Brent began working with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), which aims to develop better treatment — and ultimately a cure — for Parkinson’s disease.
Since its founding in 2000, MJFF has raised over $2 billion in research funds as part of its efforts to eradicate Parkinson’s. The foundation has also worked tirelessly to generate awareness around the disease and has invited those with Parkinson’s disease — and their families — to share their experiences as part of an online clinical study.
