Rita Marie Despres, MEd
Family, New Hampshire
Rita and her husband live in NH with their two children. Both children require varying levels of support. Rita holds a graduate degree in Education with a focus in counseling and was a part of the New Hampshire Leadership Series Class of 2024. She is continuing her education through the University of New Hampshire (UNH) certificate program in Coaching Children and Teens and is a content expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Prior to her advocacy work, Rita spent 15 years working in the field of higher education, advising students of varied backgrounds how to navigate both the challenges and successes within their degree programs. She has taught university courses in student success, vocational discernment, and the dignity of work for all individuals. An experienced lecturer, Rita’s conversational presentation style is infused with compassion, empathy, and humor.
Rita presented a workshop on Inclusion at the annual Family Support Conference in Manchester, NH in August 2024. She believes that inclusion with peers at the school level is the foundation for individuals to thrive as independently as possible. Rita is excited about taking her advocacy to the next level during the 2024-2025 NH-ME LEND program. She hopes to continue her leadership as a consultant and public speaker.
Patricia (Ivy) Foster, AA
Self-Advocate, Maine
Ivy’s (she/they) formal education earned her a Dietary Technician Associates from SMCC in 2013. She then volunteered as a Program Coordinator for End 68 Hours of Hunger, a nonprofit delivering food to children regardless of their family's income. She is currently pursuing her BA in Behavioral and Health Sciences at the University of Southern Maine.
In 2003, they moved to Maine from their native New York to work as store manager at The Little Bull in York Beach and as a Direct Support Professional for a young adult. During this time, she also developed a broad range of personal and group leadership skills while studying martial arts. Karate instilled in her the concept that we are each other’s teachers and students.
Ivy taught children's spiritual classes over the past decade at Green Acre, Baha’i Center of Learning. She and her children continue to attend spiritual and multicultural programs there. The faith is rooted in the goal of the unity of all humanity, virtues such as truthfulness, and service to others. As a friend of the Faith, these ideals have become essential to her everyday life.
In 2022, they were diagnosed autistic and with ADHD. Through deep reflection and her growth mindset, Ivy has gained confidence and scope of knowledge that has sparked a newfound zest for life. Participating in NH-ME LEND is a natural extension of her interest in understanding the philosophy of leadership and developing community. She is eager to learn and work alongside the other members of the LEND community.
Kathryn Hughes, BS
Communication Sciences & Disorders, New Hampshire
Katie Hughes is a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), where she is pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her Bachelor of Science degree is in the same field and is also from UNH. Katie’s education has provided her with knowledge related to language acquisition, communication disorders, and feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Katie's passion for assisting those affected by disabilities is deeply personal, rooted in her experience as a sibling to two individuals with a rare genetic condition and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This has given her profound empathy and unique insights that drive her dedication to the field. During her high school and college years, Katie was a member of Unified Sports, a program that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same teams. She also participated in Best Buddies, a program dedicated to fostering friendships and leadership development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through these organizations, Katie discovered the importance of social inclusion.
For the past three summers, Katie worked in an extended school year program as a paraprofessional to elementary children with complex medical and developmental disabilities, enhancing her understanding of diverse special education needs. Katie aims to build a career that ensures accessible communication for all, fueled by her desire to continue advocating for those affected by disabilities. Katie is eager to expand her knowledge about disabilities and support families like her own.
Caroline Lambert, BS
Occupational Therapy, New Hampshire
Caroline Lambert is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (UNH), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She is currently a graduate student at UNH and will receive her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in December 2024. In the fall of 2023, Caroline completed a fieldwork placement in adult outpatient rehabilitation at Wentworth Douglass Hospital (WDH) in Dover, NH, where she had the opportunity to work with individuals of all ages with a variety of neurological and orthopedic diagnoses.
While at WDH, Caroline also assisted occupational therapy treatments with infants and families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to support feeding, sleeping, developmental milestones, and familial bonding. During this unique experience, Caroline fostered her passion for working with infants and their families to meet their individual needs, helping them thrive together. In the fall of 2024, Caroline will complete her next fieldwork placement working with children and families at Adaptive Pediatric Therapy in Stratham, NH.
Throughout middle school and high school, Caroline was very active in Girl Scouts. During these years she co-led a troop of younger girls, served as a board member for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, and earned her Gold Award. Her Gold Award project involved building ergonomic garden beds for the members of her local council on aging. Through this experience she discovered her drive to help people do what brings them meaning and purpose in their lives.
Alyssa Limeburner, MS
Social Work, Maine
Alyssa Limeburner is a graduate from the University of Maine where she received her master's degree in human development. She is also an alumnus of Husson University, where she graduated with a bachelor's in psychology in 2022.
Alyssa is pursuing her second master's degree at the University of Maine in Social Work. She has completed many fieldwork placements and experiences such as working for Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine with pediatric psychiatric outpatients. She also currently works with the University of Maine Honors College in their Research Collaborative, Servant Heart, where she works with a team of alumni, professors and undergraduate students to create attachment theory workshops for international organizations in Africa, Haiti, etc. These positions have inspired her interest and passion in pediatric psychology, mental health, family studies, and developmental disability advocacy.
After graduating in 2026, Alyssa hopes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Maine. She hopes to work in clinical practice and provide therapeutic services to children and their families. Alyssa is excited to continue to grow and learn professional skills, and to gain knowledge regarding developmental disabilities, leadership practices and how to best work on a team to serve clients and families in New England.
Paige Marston, BS
Occupational Therapy, New Hampshire
Paige Marston is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She is currently pursuing her Master of Occupational Therapy degree at UNH. In the Fall of 2024, Paige completed a fieldwork placement in a preschool and kindergarten setting at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) in Barrington, NH, working with children with various diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Paige also participates in the UNH Behavioral Health Workforce Education Training – Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Program, which requires a commitment to learning and training opportunities, interprofessional collaboration, and a 6-month fieldwork placement in an underserved community to address the behavioral and mental health needs of children and their families. Paige is currently completing this placement at Outside the Lines in Lee, NH - a child development and family outpatient center.
For the past four years, Paige has been working as a substitute paraprofessional and one-on-one aid for preschool and kindergarten students at the ECLC in Barrington. She also works there during the summer as a one-on-one aid or teacher assistant in the Extended School Year (ESY) program for students with various disabilities and developmental delays. Paige is passionate about working with children and their families to help them achieve their goals, live their lives to the fullest, and share their unique personalities, traits, and abilities with others and the world.
Abigail Morrow, BA
Communication Sciences & Disorders, New Hampshire
Abigail Morrow is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine (USM) in Portland, ME where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in linguistics with a concentration in speech and language pathology. This degree provided Abigail with knowledge of human language, development, and a passion for communication access advocacy. The knowledge and experiences gained during her time at USM gave her the foundation to pursue a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders at the University of New Hampshire (UNH).
In addition to her academic commitments, Abigail was a member and treasurer of the American Sign Language (ASL) Club and facilitator of an ASL language table where she dedicated time to her own and her peers’ understanding of ASL. While building relationships with the local Deaf community and working at a day program for Deaf and hard of hearing adults with neurological and developmental disabilities, Abigail’s passion for communication access advocacy grew. She worked closely with clients and their families at the day program, and in her clinical work at UNH. Abigail hopes to continue her work within the disability community, advocating for and nurturing the development of functional communication for all individuals.
Karin Mortimer
Family, New Hampshire
Karin Mortimer lives in NH with her husband and their two children. She works full-time as a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) and caregiver for her 14-year-old son who has Cerebral Palsy (CP). She volunteers as Secretary of the New Hampshire Council for Youths with Chronic Conditions (NHCYCC). Karin is a 2024 graduate of the New Hampshire (NH) Leadership Series.
Karin is very active in her children’s school as part of the Parent Faculty Association. She is a content expert in the areas of Cerebral Palsy (CP), and complex medical care, and is well-versed in special education law and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process. Karin has always been an effective advocate for her son, but the NH Leadership Series helped her realize the power of her voice and the greater impact her story can have within her community.
The NH Leadership Series sparked her desire to ‘think bigger’ and to use her voice to create positive change not only within her local and school community but also at the state and national levels, where policy change is needed. Karin is excited to begin her LEND journey to expand her clinical knowledge and strengthen her leadership and advocacy skills. She is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with professionals who support families like her own.
Sarah Peters, BA
Early Childhood Education, Maine
Sarah Peters is a graduate of Simmons University where she obtained her BA with a double major in Early Childhood Education and Studio Art. While attending Simmons, Sarah worked at a Head Start program in Jamaica Plains, MA as a member of the AmeriCorps program, Jumpstart. This experience led her to discover her passion for Early Childhood Education. During her senior year, Sarah designed an independent study that allowed her to gain fieldwork experience in public, private, and charter schools in the Greater Boston area to compare educational philosophies, inclusionary practices, and curriculum development.
Upon returning to Maine in 2010, she began working as a Behavioral Health Professional/Educational Technician for Sandcastle Clinical & Educational Services, a Special Preschool Program in Lewiston, Maine. With Sandcastle, Sarah became a Lead Preschool Teacher and then was promoted to Education Program Coordinator, which is the position she holds today. Sandcastle recently merged with Andwell Health Partners (formerly Androscoggin Home Care + Hospice), and she is excited to be a part of this expansion.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Sarah worked for the Maine Department of Education as an Instructional Designer for their M.O.O.S.E. (Maine Online Open-Source Education) project. With this experience, she collaborated with educators across the State of Maine to develop asynchronous, project-based learning modules for PreK-2nd grade students. Sarah considers herself a life-long learner and is looking forward to the LEND experience.
Lara Raymond, MS
Mental & Behavioral Health, New Hampshire
Lara Raymond is both a graduate of Rivier University where she received a bachelor’s degree in human development, and of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) where she received a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. These experiences laid the foundation for Lara’s passion for person-centered planning. They also taught her the importance of assessing processing and learning styles when developing well-rounded treatment plans.
Lara has spent the past eight years supporting those with developmental disabilities. During this time, she supported adults as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and worked with the New Hampshire Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment Program (NH START), a program that specializes in supporting individuals with both a developmental disability and mental health diagnosis. These experiences enriched Lara’s knowledge of positive psychology. They taught her that even when others question an individual’s answers during assessments, honoring these answers may foster growth and shed light on areas the individual may values and hope to learn about and develop.
Lara was also the Adult Autism Specialist for a large agency, providing resources, and social opportunities to adults in the Lowell, Massachusetts area. Her time in this role enabled her to collaborate with professionals in state agencies. She spent time partnering with community organizations where she fostered connections that increased engagement and meaning for individuals receiving services. Lara currently provides mentoring services to adults on the autism spectrum. During her time with NH-ME LEND, she hopes to leverage her experience with assessments and treatment planning to gain experience assisting families to advocate during the evaluation and person-centered planning processes.
Lauren Reid, BS
Occupational Therapy, New Hampshire
Lauren Reid is a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in the combined bachelor and Master (BS/MS) Occupational Therapy (OT) program. Lauren’s interest in becoming a leader in the field of disabilities began in high school when she attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference.
During her time at UNH, Lauren completed OT fieldwork placements in various settings with diverse populations including a community-based brain injury center and an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. These experiences contributed to Lauren’s passion for ensuring that everyone has opportunities to participate in activities that are meaningful to them.
Outside the classroom, Lauren enjoyed being a campus tour guide, a member of her sorority’s executive board, an OT mentor for first year students, a Dean’s Ambassador, and a teaching assistant for a graduate level OT course. Lauren is dedicated to working in the field of disabilities. She combined her love of the outdoors and her passion for inclusivity to participate in a summer internship at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, an organization that provides life changing outdoor experiences for people of all abilities.
She is currently a Registered Behavior Technician working with children with autism, facilitating play-based opportunities to practice communication, social, and daily living skills. This fall, Lauren will complete her final OT fieldwork at Strafford Learning Center in Somersworth, NH focusing on school-based practice. She is excited to expand her knowledge and skills as a future pediatric occupational therapist and to continue advocating for inclusion and participation for all.
Selam Runyon-Baruch, BA
Public Health, Maine
Selam is a multicultural, multilingual, naturalized U.S. citizen born in Ethiopia, with an educational background in International Affairs, Political Science, and Women's Studies. She is an alumna of Cohort 16 of the Health Leadership Development (HLD) program, where she gained essential leadership skills and advocacy expertise, which she now applies in her fight for social justice and health equity.
As an advisory member of the Maine CDC Office of Population Health Equity Council, Selam plays a role in advancing policies that ensure equitable healthcare access for all, particularly for marginalized communities. In addition to her work at the New Mainers Public Health Initiative, where she serves as the Director of Development and Community Engagement, Selam is one of three co-chairs of the 'All Means All' coalition. This coalition is dedicated to expanding healthcare coverage to all immigrants in Maine through legislation, such as LD 199.
Selam leads with humility and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to inspire others to work hard and succeed. She is committed, adaptable, and takes pride in her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She believes that respect and humility are the foundation of all relationships, and she is dedicated to building a more just and equitable society.
Jack Russo, BS
Social Work, New Hampshire
Jack graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology. He is also a lifetime member of the Psi Chi International Honors Society. His interest and experience with disability is recent. More specifically, during his undergraduate years, he had the opportunity to take classes in the fields of behavior and addiction that included a course titled Applied Behavior Analysis. Through this course and others like it, Jack studied the different intervention strategies used to help individuals struggling with substance use disorders and other behavioral addictions. Jack also studied intervention strategies best suited for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Jack’s undergraduate coursework changed his entire perspective on behavior, behavioral analysis, and behavioral intervention. Additionally, Jack is a lead counselor at Camp Gundalow. Camp Gundalow is a marine focused summer camp providing diverse educational experiences and opportunities for children on New Hampshire’s seacoast. His time as a camp counselor has allowed him to strengthen his leadership and youth mentoring skills. Courses taken during his undergraduate education, combined with his experience as a counselor, have broadened Jack’s world view, opening his eyes to the historic maltreatment and misunderstanding that accompanies behavioral care and intervention strategies for individuals with physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Participating in LEND while earning his Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of New Hampshire (UNH), he looks forward to gaining the skills required to help advocate for individuals with disabilities from a systemic policy standpoint, along with working directly in the field.
Deanna Scripture, BS
Social Work, New Hampshire
Deanna is a second-year Master of Social Work (MSW) student at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She studied Human Services, minoring in Family Studies at Granite State College. She has worked with young children and families in various educational settings for several years. Deanna has strongly advocated for creating neuro-affirming learning environments, specifically in preschool. For the past two years, she has collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to transition their preschool program away from a deficit-based learning environment to a strength-based learning environment that recognizes the unique strengths, supports, and needs of every student.
In addition to integrating neuro-affirming principles into daily practice in the classroom, Deanna’s experience working with families and neurodiverse youth has led her to recognize critical issues around access, affordability, and quality of early care and support services. Deanna's aspirations are to cultivate advocacy and leadership skills to strengthen early support services. Her passion for working with families and young children drives her desire to make early learning and support services more accessible and available, regardless of location or socioeconomic status. Deanna eagerly anticipates participating in the NH-ME LEND program, hoping to gain new perspectives and innovative strategies to further her mission. She is excited and inspired by the prospect of working with self-advocates and multidisciplinary specialists.
Nicole Sheaff, BS
Family, New Hampshire
Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Occupational Therapy (OT) from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 2002. For 22 years she has worked within transdisciplinary teams to provide skilled occupational therapy across the lifespan, with a primary focus on pediatrics. She has advocated for families and children diagnosed with disabilities in early intervention, public and private schools and clinical settings. Nicole is the mother of four children, all diagnosed with mental health, learning and developmental disabilities. As a self-taught advocate and case manager, she has 20 years of experience navigating various supports and services for her children. Her OT background strengthened her knowledge of special education guidelines, goals, and services.
Nicole is a 2022 graduate of the UNH Leadership Series, which expanded her advocacy roles to evaluate the New Hampshire Families and Systems Together (FAST) Forward Program and serve as a subject matter expert for the UNH Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) series on pediatric mental health. Her advocacy efforts for disability support and services include providing testimony related to mental health and disability at the New Hampshire State House, recording a podcast, presenting in-services, and writing letters to the editor.
Nicole is a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NH volunteer with certification as a Caregiver Support Group Leader, and Life Interrupted Speaker. She is also a NAMI Crisis Intervention Team Role-player, modeling best practice responses for police and emergency personnel. Nicole volunteers her time to support other caregivers, to help prevent family isolation and increase understanding and inclusion within their communities.
Lisa Steadman, BS
Family, New Hampshire
Above all else, Lisa Steadman is the parent of three amazing children, Noah (13), Maxwell (12) and Adalie (6), and wife of Mikel. They live together with their two cats, gecko, axolotl, and koi in Troy, NH. Lisa is a licensed insurance agent who practices disabilities rights advocacy in her free time. Her inspiration for advocacy work grew after participating in the Institute on Disability’s New Hampshire Leadership Series in 2016 to learn more about supporting and advocating for Max, who has Down Syndrome.
Lisa leads the NH statewide Family Support Council, serves on the Monadnock Family Council, is president of the board for Advocates Building Lasting Equity (ABLE) NH, serves on the board for her area's family-centered early supports and services provider, Rise for Baby and Family, and has served on her local school board in the Monadnock Regional School District since 2009.
In March, Governor Sununu presented Lisa with one of 12 unsung hero awards given by New Hampshire Children's Trust to parents around the state who strengthen families, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being to create nurturing environments for children. Her family attended the ceremony with her and were able to learn what Lisa does when she’s in all these meetings ‘for fun’.
Lisa’s true passion is learning how the systems that serve people with intellectual disabilities are supposed to work and how they work in practice as well as creating ideas for how they can be improved.
Jennifer Tousignant, BSN, RN
Nursing, New Hampshire
Jenna has been a registered nurse for 33 years. She has worked in many settings, spending the last 17 years as a school nurse at an elementary school. Jenna loved caring for the needs of her students every day! Jenna is embarking on a new professional adventure working as a full-time nurse at Camp Allen in Bedford, New Hampshire. Camp Allen is a wonderful place where differently abled campers of all ages come to experience camp life, make new friends, and sustain camp friendships over many summers of swimming, karaoke, bracelet making, and expanding their horizons. Jenna loves working with her campers and trying to make sure they have the best camp experience possible. She is excited to take on more of a role at Camp Allen as their first year-round, full-time nurse.
Jenna has three children, two of whom have special needs. As a nurse and having worked in education, she is able to understand disability from many different perspectives. She hopes this will help her when working with families and individuals as they navigate how to achieve satisfying outcomes in education and health care. Jenna has a passion for social justice issues and plans to investigate running for state representative in the next few years. For fun, she loves to spend time with her family, ride horses, do puzzles, watch movies, and can always be found planning her next Disney trip!
