Meet our Team

As one of DSI’s founders, I believe that together we all can and must stand against injustice and inequality that exists in our world today. My educational background includes a degree in music therapy and a Master's in Special Education. As I grew up with a brother with multiple disabilities, spent time working with marginalized communities in Cambodia, taught special education in the United States, and worked in culturally diverse situations (including with immigrant and refugee citizens), God continued to cultivate my passion and open my eyes and heart toward those with disabilities, who are all too often unseen and unheard in many parts of the world today. I am proud to be a part of DSI's mission and continuous development, and am passionate about uplifting and amplifying the work of those who dedicate themselves to addressing needs in selfless and loving ways. In my role, I see this lived out every day and it inspires me every day.

I am a social worker with a background in supporting adults with disabilities in residential and day program settings. I earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the College of St Scholastica and a Master of Public Administration from Hamline University. I currently reside in Chicago, IL with my husband and our senior dog, Tolkien. I work as an Implementation Specialist at Collective Medical, a PointClickCare company. My role is in project management of hospital implementations of a medical technology that improves daily patient outcomes and the US healthcare system. I joined the DSI team through the Advisory Working Group as I have a deep and ongoing passion for disability support. I enjoy contributing to the development of DSI programming.

I am an educational professional and have over eleven years of special education teaching experience and currently am the Flight Path Coordinator for Red Wing Public Schools, helping students prepare for adult life and careers. I have a Bachelor's degree in Special Education as well as a Master's degree in Educational Administration. I first traveled to Cambodia in 2009, when I truly began to understand the discrepancy of services available to people with disabilities in various parts of our world, despite the interest and efforts of caring and compassionate people. Through the trainings work I have led in Cambodia since that time, I have seen the positive impact they have had and I hope that through our continued efforts with DSI, we can enrich the services available to people with disabilities around the world.  Additionally, with a diagnosis of epilepsy, I am thankful for the support and care I have access to which has further driven a personal connection to the work we are doing at DSI.

I have a multi-faceted and international career. After earning a doctorate in English from Northeastern University, I taught at a university in Dubai, published articles and a book on women’s history, and traveled widely. I has recently completed a master’s in international relations at University College Dublin; completed a thesis examined the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled. My advocacy efforts began with volunteer work for the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, and I is currently employed by the American Council of the Blind. I brings personal experience of vision loss, a global perspective, and knowledge of disability rights, literature, education, and research to the DSI board.

I believe in inclusive opportunities for all people and that we are at our best when we recognize the unique talents and contributions of others. Currently, that involves working with Quillo, which uses technology and video messaging to engage people with I/DD (Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities) and those who support them. My 2015 graduate degree is from the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy where I focused on disability rights, international development, and nonprofit management. Prior to starting grad school, I spent five years in the nonprofit sector as a disability rights advocate both domestically and internationally. Journeys around the world to Niger, Cabo Verde, India, Israel, Jordan, and Uganda have taught me the beauty of humility, complexity, and collaboration. I originally connected with DSI as a member of the Advisory Working Group and am honored to be part of DSI's inclusive and engaging efforts.

I hold with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Development Management from Norton University in Cambodia. During the time of the civil war, I was a refugee living in one of the camps across the border in Thailand, where I was trained and worked as a school teacher and medical nurse between 1989 and 1992. After returning to Cambodia, I continued my career for more than 3 decades now in development and disability, working in NGO leadership and management, policy development, strategic planning, project design and evaluation, management, fundraising and proposal writing, disability and inclusion, gender equity and child safeguarding. I have knowledge and experience in many areas including project planning and implementation such as community-based inclusive development, inclusive education, inclusive daycare centres, creative capacity building for farmers with disabilities, livelihood, and lately Covid-19 awareness-raising. I have also carried out consultancy works in designing and delivering disability trainings and workshops, disability book translations and editions, research studies, project evaluation, and voluntary work nationally and internationally to promote disability inclusion and rights of persons with disabilities. Currently, I live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and I am excited to be part of the DSI family where I continue to learn more from projects and stakeholders.

I am an Engineer and Entrepreneur who is passionate about supporting non-profit organizations in any way I can. I currently reside in Saint Paul, Minnesota with my wife, Kelsey, and son, Jesse. I work as a Program Manager at Medtronic and am also the President and Co-Founder of The Singery Studio, a Twin Cities-based music recording studio. I have considerable experience in Project Management and Business Development, skills that blend well with my enthusiasm for enabling others to be their best self. My skills, interests, and non-profit experience are well-suited to disability support and the ever-important work that DSI is doing, of which I am proud to be a part of.

I’m a speech-language pathologist and I work in early intervention in a local school district. I love my job because I get to help kids and their families. I’ve met so many amazing families and students in my career and I believe that all people with disabilities should have access to services and support, no matter where you live. My husband and I live in Minnesota and have two young children. We are long time friends with Mick and Jennie Wendland, two of DSI’s co-founders. I’ve been cheering on DSI from the beginning! I’m passionate about the work DSI is doing and I’m excited to be on their board as another way to support this important work.

I have worked with nonprofits for over a decade, helping with fundraising, membership, development, marketing, and art gallery management. I love dogs, paddleboarding, and the arts. I am thrilled to be part of the DSI team and help in any way possible.

I first joined Disability Support International in 2019, as a member of the Advisory Working Group to support the DSI Training of Trainers Pilot program. I led efforts in developing DSI’s Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and reporting tools. Now on the Board, I look forward to strengthening DSI organizational performance and guiding DSI towards strategic goals. I hold a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development with a double focus in Leading and Managing Social Sector Organizations and Monitoring & Evaluation. I have spent my professional career in international development and the public sector and am passionate about strategic planning, program management, and community-based development. Highlights of my career include serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Rwanda and Peace Corps Response in Sierra Leone by strengthening the capacity and capabilities of rural community healthcare systems, standing up community health clubs, and conducting youth leadership camps.