2025 Affiliate Network Executive Council Candidates

1.25 years. I started as the Training and Administrative Coordinator and moved into the Deputy Director position in the spring

I am mom to 2 amazing individuals living with FASD – a 12 year old son and a 10 year old daughter. Even though I was a certified elementary school teacher and later a teacher educator with a doctorate in early childhood education, I was at a loss as to how to parent these souls. I ended up doing a lot of research and training on my own in order to better understand FASD. This lead me to transitioning into the non-profit world so I could help other caregivers like me navigate this challenging road. In collaboration with Kelly Henderson, we are now organizing an FASD VA Community group and are in the process of creating a “HUB” for FASD resources across the state that can be accessed by parents, teachers, and other health professionals. In my position at FFF, I also do a lot of trainings – some on FASD – and consultations with families who are struggling to find services and to meet the needs of their children on this spectrum.

Being surrounded by like-minded folks who understand this world and who are doing all they can to advocate for change so that our loved ones are understood and appropriately supported.

Being that I am relatively new to the organization, I am not sure I have a clear answer to this question. But I am excited hear from others and engage in collaborative conversations that can help move the organization forward.

I want to make more of a difference. Living the life I live has made me passionate about advocacy and offering the support for others that I had to work so hard to find on my own. One of my priorities is advocating for more diagnostic clinics across the country. Futhermore, because of my background in education, I am passionate about doing more to elevate FASD knowledge and understanding in teacher pre-service and in-service programs. I would love to see FASD training as a requirement for teacher certification.

I think my background as a teacher, a researcher, and a parent of kiddos with FASD positions me well to positively contribute to the Executive Council.

Since 2022 serving as Director of Development

As a former Health Director with the TN Department of Health and Nonprofit Executive working around schools implementing Student Assistance Programs, I know how underserved those with a connection to FASD are within our communities. The mission and work of the Papillion Center for FASD has given me the opportunity to help create a greater networking effort with diverse key stakeholders and promote the work of both the local nonprofit and FASD United.

The opportunity to learn, connect and advocacy from those that work on the frontlines of the multi-facet issues of FASD.

I desire to see the Affiliate Network growing and assisting the membership of the network as we work together to bring awareness, education and advocacy to the issue of FASD.

I would be honored to use my gifts and talents to assist the network. I enjoy relationship building and cultivation, networking and helping nonprofits achieve their mission.

I have served professionally in many leadership roles in my career to help those most underserved. I have been involved in policy, fund, program, and evidence based practice development in my lengthy years of service.

I have been at Proof Alliance, previously known as MOFAS, for 17 years. In my role as the Director of National Programs, I oversee the strategic development and implementation of programs that expand FASD screening and diagnostic capacity, provide training for professionals and caregivers, reach Indigenous communities through the Our Children Are Sacred program, and build national partnerships to expand prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and support for all impacted by FASD.

While completing my master’s degree in public health, I chose to focus on FASD in my work, and have remained passionate about it ever since. During my years at Proof Alliance, I have worked with many partnering agencies including clinics, treatment centers, county systems, and social service agencies, helping them change their practices to recognize and respond to FASD. I have presented on FASD for a variety of audiences at statewide and national conferences. I have also been on the faculty of the SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative, a HRSA-funded virtual education program for healthcare professionals that aims to reduce prenatal alcohol exposure and improve outcomes for children with FASD.

FASD United and the Affiliate Network bring together a wonderful community of passionate individuals and organizations with shared goals. By working together rather than in silos, we are able to share resources, lean on strengths, collaborate, and achieve great things!

I desire to see the Affiliate Network growing and assisting the membership of the network as we With the recent growth of the Affiliate Network, I see opportunities for those of us working in similar focus areas to connect and benefit from the variety of experiences that comes from this larger assembly of affiliates.

I’m excited about the many possibilities that are on the horizon, and how our combined efforts can be part of that movement. At this moment I see a lot of momentum around expanding FASD diagnostic capacity, building virtual training and education, centering living experience, advancing policy change, and increasing public awareness.

I love collaboration and connection, and in this role on the Affiliate Executive Council, I hope to bring my experience and contribute to the many ways that being an affiliate can benefit the various members of this network.

I have been at Proof Alliance, previously known as MOFAS, for 17 years. In my role as the Director I have been a Policy Manager at Illuminate Colorado for 1 year, 8 mos.

I was brought to the FASD world through Illuminate Colorado as an affiliate of FASD United. During my time here, my main focus has been policy education and advocacy for federal and state policies, including policies that would support families impacted by FASD. With this, I’ve had the opportunity to partner with FASD parent advocates and FASD United to advocate for state and federal policy change. I have also had the opportunity to create advocacy tools, offer advocacy education, and support FASD parent advocates in engaging with their public officials to ensure legislators are aware of FASDs and are engaging in opportunities to support their constituents who are impacted by FASD.

I appreciate the ways that FASD United offers many opportunities to engage in FASD advocacy. I have especially appreciated the opportunity to participate in the monthly FASD Respect Act calls, attend FASD Impact Week, and communicate directly with the FASD United Policy Center to learn about and engage in advocacy opportunities, gain insight from fellow advocates (especially family and self advocates), and partner with FASD United staff to advocate for FASD-centered policy change.

I would love to continue to build on opportunities to connect with and engage in collaborative learning and elevate state-level policy change. I have enjoyed engaging with fellow advocates and would appreciate the opportunity to continue to engage in shared learning. With this, as someone who does not experience an FASD, I would enjoy having more opportunities to partner with self advocates to make advocacy more accessible for FASD self advocates and their loved ones.

I would be grateful to join ANEC to collaborate with fellow advocates, including ANEC members, FASD United, and affiliates, who engage in different areas of work across the U.S. to continue to build a coordinated and collaborative movement to promote awareness and create positive change. I would enjoy supporting FASD United’s policy priorities through a collaborative approach that promotes shared leadership among policymakers, policy advocates, FASD family and self advocates, and professionals who serve families impacted by FASD. I would be interested in advancing federal, state, and local policy change by building collaboration, offering technical support, and creating additional opportunities for shared learning among advocates from all walks of life.

Thank you for the opportunity to be nominated.