Leadership

Meet the Team

Board of Directors

Kim is the CEO and founder of Claritas Creative, a communications and events company specializing in health and disability. She engages in disability issue advocacy at the federal and state level. She and her family also regularly join advocacy events sponsored by the Arc of Virginia and the Arc of the United States. She is passionate about supporting individuals with Down syndrome, and intellectual/developmental disabilities, and ensuring their inclusion as valued members of our communities. She looks forward to assisting DSANV with their communications and events efforts as well as serving as President.

Sarah is a Speech Therapist with 20 years of experience who currently works in the Fairfax County School system. She holds Speech Pathologist School Licenses in Virginia and New York. She has experience creating inclusion opportunities in the classroom and elsewhere within the school community.

Erin is employed full time at Rosetta Stone in Arlington, Virginia where she assists with reception and administrative duties. She is a 2010 graduate of George Mason University’s LIFE Program for students with developmental disabilities. She is a Buddy Ambassador for Best Buddies Virginia and serves on the board of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Erin has become a passionate and accomplished advocate for those with intellectual disabilities. She was awarded the PEATC Virginia Star Icon award in 2008 for her advocacy work and the 2008 Advocates in Disability award from the HSC Foundation in Washington, D.C. Her latest accomplishment is the award of both the O.Neill and Tabani Enrichment Fund and the 2009 Dan Piper Award for national recognition of a self-advocate from the NDSS.

Katherine is a retired Air Force veteran with 25 years of experience in leadership, program management, and strategic planning. Currently a Program Manager at BetterUp, she is dedicated to fostering growth, collaboration, and positive change in her professional and community roles. As a proud parent and advocate, Katherine is passionate about empowering individuals with Down syndrome and creating spaces where families feel supported and connected. She is honored to serve on the DSANV Board and contribute to its impactful mission.

Denise is a northern Virginia native who has been a government contractor for 20 years. She’s an avid soccer player who loves being outside and spending time with her extended family. She is so thankful for the community and support that DSANV has provided her family. Denise is passionate about creating a new narrative for Down Syndrome individuals and is thrilled to continue serving, advocating, and promoting the DSANV mission.

David is a Community Relations Specialist at SourceAmerica with their Government Affairs Department. He previously served as a staff member on Capitol Hill with the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee as JP Kennedy Jr. Public Policy Fellow–the first with an intellectual disability. He is a trailblazer with 20 years of competitive employment as a clerk in the Distribution Center with CBRE and experience working at the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). He serves on several Boards at the local, national and international levels. David is a Special Olympics athlete and a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger and has been involved in leadership and community advocacy starting in 1999.

Charlotte is a Community Outreach Specialist with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). She is currently attending George Mason University working on a B.A. She earned an associate’s degree from the Northern Virginia Community College and graduated from Fairfax High School with a standard diploma. Charlotte was born with a heart condition and had four open-heart surgeries when she was young and recently became one of the very few people born with Down syndrome to receive a life-saving heart transplant! Her motto is to always give back to others, and she loves to have bake sales and donate the proceeds to various charities. These fundraising efforts have led to some exciting opportunities to give motivational speeches. She hopes to pursue a career as an author, professional baker, event planner and motivational speaker. She is determined to do her best to help ALL people with special needs!

Amanda is a PhD neuroscientist currently serving as a scientific administrator for a federal agency. She manages a portfolio of research on adult brain injury which includes scientific peer review and oversight of biomedical research. She hopes to open collaborations with scientific organizations such as LuMind and looks forward to assisting DSANV in working with organizations conducting research on topics related to Down syndrome as well as contributing to DSANV grant writing opportunities.

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