A deeply personal experience led JP Conte, chairman and managing partner of Genstar Capital, to support neurological research. His recent $5 million donation focused on the research and treatment of Parkinson’s will help grow our understanding of the disease and other brain disorders — continuing his legacy of transforming personal challenges into opportunities for broader impact.
For JP Conte, the fight against Parkinson’s disease is deeply personal. His father, Pierre Conte, was diagnosed with the condition at age 75 after moving from the East Coast to the Bay Area with his wife, Isabel, to be closer to their grandchildren.
“It was wonderful to have multiple generations be a part of my children’s upbringing,” JP reflected, remembering how his father would join him while coaching soccer at his son’s school.
When Pierre Conte was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his son was determined to secure the best medical care possible. Through the VA Medical Center in San Francisco, JP Conte met a team of UCSF doctors whose expertise and care made an immediate impression.
“I knew right away that my dad was getting the tops of the top at the VA,” JP said.
Strategic Investment in Neurological Research
In November 2024, the JP Conte Family Foundation made a transformative $5 million gift to support groundbreaking research and activities related to Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
This donation reflects Conte’s approach to philanthropy: identifying opportunities where his contribution can have maximum impact. By creating endowed positions rather than simply funding short-term projects, Conte ensures that his gift will continue supporting research for generations to come.
Conte’s support for Parkinson’s research illustrates how personal experience can inspire philanthropy that benefits the broader public. His father’s battle with the disease gave him firsthand insight into the challenges faced by patients and their families, as well as the critical importance of advanced medical research.
“This heartfelt gift from the JP Conte Family Foundation not only honors Pierre’s memory but also fuels our ongoing support of those brilliant clinician-scientists who will help us improve treatments and, ultimately, find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders,” Dr. S. Andrew Josephson, the Chair of UCSF Weill Institute for Neuroscience, said.
A Legacy of Hope and Progress
Through his support for neurological research, JP Conte transforms personal adversity into hope for countless patients and families affected by Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The professorships established through his donation will continue driving medical innovation long into the future, creating a lasting legacy that honors Pierre Conte’s memory.