Event Planning Team
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Melanie Cawthon
Co-Founder and Event Logistics
Years of Service: 10
Co-Founder of disABILITYsa.org "Pulling the community together is the only way to make an impact on the inclusion, opportunities, and services that exists for individuals living with a disability in San Antonio. Working together, we can create greater awareness and effect change." |
Cynthia Hamilton
Co-Founder and Exhibitor Recruitment
Years of Service: 10
V.P. of Development & Donor Services for San Antonio Area Foundation and Co-Founder of disABILITYsa.org "This is an important event for the community." |
Marilyn & John Weber
Expo and demonstrations
Years of Service: 10
President/CEO and Vice President/COO of Deaf Interpreter Services, Inc. "It has been rewarding to help." |
Marcia James
Exhibitor Recruitment
Years of Service:5
Family Support Coordinator for the Exceptional Family Member Program. "I love to work with folks who have the same passion as me...to assist families who have a special need. Also, by "community networking" it has brought a wealth of resources to our military families and it has also put a face to the name of EFMP." |
Jerri Ann Harris
Activity Recruitment
Years of Service: 13
Community Engagement Specialist at VIA Metropolitan Transit “This event is very dear to me and important to our San Antonio community! It has helped to bring awareness of the many wonderful organizations and services available for persons with disabilities here in our area. It is such a fun-filled day to bring the whole family to!” |
Traci Lewand
Activity Recruitment & Coordination
Assistant Director of Events for Hemisfair.
"This is an opportunity to marry my skill set as an event planner and my passion for inclusion thanks to my 7 yr old son who has been my tour guide on this life journey." |
Katherine Kelley
Career Exploration Fair
Years of Service: 3 years
Workforce development, helping to create programs that address career services. Goodwill San Antonio "Taking action keeps the conversation going both as a community and in-house at work." |
April Love
Website/Social Media
Author, artist, and public speaker, bringing awareness. April is autistic and deals with a neuromuscular disease. She is aided by her service dog, Gracie.
"I have multiple disabilities and would like to help bring awareness and show what people with disabilities are capable of." |
Veronica Johannsen
Public Relations Communications Specialist at the Alamo Area Council of Governments.
"I believe that everyone should have the right to feel empowered even if he/she face challenges in their life. I am a person of service and support people with disabilities." |
Kameron Chicoine
Exhibitor Recruitment
Years of Service: 5
Kameron Chicoine has been a magazine owner and publisher for over 30 years. Senior Living Choices and her most recent magazine, Exceptional Kids, A Resource Guide for the Special Needs Community is based on a vision and personal experience. "Building awareness in our community about the resources available for families and adults looking for resources for themselves." |
Shirlee Crandall
Public Relation
Independent Living Skills Trainer at
San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. She enjoys assisting the senior population in maintaining their independence. "To aid in the success of this event by applying and strengthening my experience in the areas of media and public relations." |
Adrienne Beard
abilitySTRONG Parade Recruitment
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Coordinator at JBSA-Lackland.
"Want to give back to the special needs community and assist with the event and hopefully tie this event in with an event for the JBSA population." |
Dianna Garza
Event Ceremony and Outreach
Assistant professor of Vocational Nursing at St. Philip's College, she believes in the importance of service and advocacy for inclusion in our community.
"I enjoyed working with you all last year and am excited to see it expand this year." |
Zach Adair
Volunteer/Exhibitor Recruitment
Worked for Texas Kids Home Therapy and Nursing. for four years. He grew up attending all of the special needs events in San Antonio. His family has always been active members in the community. He is really looking forward to helping AccessAbility Fest in any way he can.
"I have made it a goal to become more involved in the industry and help plan the things I am able to be a part of." |
Katherine Franklin
Exhibitor Recruitment
Practicing physical therapist and co-owner of La Fe Consulting, a barrier-free design company focused on creating beautiful spaces that can be enjoyed by those of all ages and abilities
"I am new to Accessability Fest, but I firmly believe in the mission and would love to help in any way that I can." |
Adrienne Gaither
Exhibitor and Volunteer Recruitment
She works with Autism Community Network as a pediatric occupational therapist and Kinetic Kids, Inc. as a sensory consultant and program director.
"Have had an exhibitor booth in the past and would like to be more involved/network with the community." |
Alfred Chavira
Expos and Demonstrations
Alfred Chavira is the Wellness Services Program Director for Any Baby Can. His expertise is in adapted fitness and wellness programs for individuals with special needs.
"I believe my experience in event direction and nonprofit employment can be an asset to the team." |
Mark & Kathryn Tovar
Exhibitor Recruitment
Mark and Kathryn work in Education, Advocacy and Health Services at Real Counseling INC. They want to bring their success as a disabled advocacy couple to others.
"Our mission is to provide a window for advocacy and a sounding board for the physically disabled to be heard." |
Raeme Bosquez-Greer
Volunteer Recruitment
Years of Service: 5
25 years experience working with individuals with disabilities. Owner of Raeme's Transition Services "My most favorite people in the world." |
Victoria Espinoza
Mascot and Volunteer Recruitment
Years of Service: 2
Student at University of Texas San Antonio studying Kinesiology. "I would like to serve on this team because I love what this organization does, the opportunities they provide and I want to be part of that and contribute to making this event grow." |
Marissa Garcia
Exhibitor Recruitment
Marissa works in Workforce Development Area at Workforce Solutions Alamo. Assisting individuals with disabilities that were forever impacted, because they were including them to employment.
"I love AccessibilityFest. There are always new resources I learn about and because I think I can bring value to this year's planning." |
Lisa Welsh
Volunteer Recruitment
Years of Service: 1
Vice President and Strategic Priorities leader at Wells Fargo. Lisa currently serves as chapter chair for Wells Fargo’s Diverse Abilities Team Member Network, Wells Fargo's Employee Resource Group with over 1300 members in the US and internationally. She remains a passionate advocate for accessibility and the diverse ability community. "To support and advocate for people with disabilities." |
Esther Rodriguez
Exhibitor Recruitment
CEO/Founder of Angels in Our Home an organization that helps family members & caregivers to cope, give information & assist with everyday life. A mother of a daughter with disabilities since she was 5 days old.
"Currently trying to build an organization that helps families & caregivers with disabled family members." |
Erayna Branche
Exhibitor Recruitment
RN at Adaptive Health Services, LLC working with medically fragile children for 7 years. She's been in the healthcare industry for 10 years. Pediatric Home Health is her passion
"I really enjoy reaching out to the community and assisting the disabled population in inclusion and finding resources." |
Nicholas Holstein
Entertainment, Activity Recruitment
Nicholas Holstein is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and currently the Executive Director for HUG ME Ink. His passion is to advocate and educate about mental health awareness and bullying prevention through the arts.
"I enjoy advocating and helping others and allies with disabilities in Bexar County because this is much needed in our area." |
Additional Team Members include:
- Activity Booth Recruitment: Debi Silva with KLRN,
- Public Relations: Albert Salazar with Texas Public Radio
- Entertainment: Joel Williams with San Antonio Area Foundation
Former Team Members:
2007
2008
2009
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2010
2011 2012
2013
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