Leah Boldt, BS, M.ED
Executive Director, Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands
Leah Boldt is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands, an organization that serves nearly 500 families who have a loved one with Down syndrome in the Omaha metro area. Her journey in the disabilities world began after her 3rd child was born with Down syndrome in 2011.
Teresa DeVincenzi
Executive Director, Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA)
Teresa’s journey with the DSCBA began in 2015 and since then, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Programs and Data Integrity, before stepping fully into the Executive Director role. Teresa leads a team of 30-plus amazing individuals who share a passion for empowering, inspiring, supporting, and celebrating individuals with Down syndrome and their families within the nine counties of Northern California’s greater Bay Area.
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Jennifer Ford
Executive Director, Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas (DSG)
Jennifer Ford was named Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas (DSG) in 2014. She began with the DSG in 2007. After a couple of years on staff, Jennifer utilized her Texas Educator Certificate and taught elementary special education in Castleberry ISD.
Heidi Haines
Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association
Heidi Haines is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world, a commitment evident in her role as the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association since 2023. With twelve years of experience in nonprofit advocacy, policy development, partnership building, self-advocacy group creation, team management, and nonprofit administration, Heidi is well-equipped for her position.
Jim Hudson
Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
Jim has been the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati (www.dsagc.com) since 2012. The DSAGC is one of the larger Ds affiliates in the country. Jim is a proven nonprofit leader with decades of experience in various roles around the country.
Amy Navejas, JD
Executive Director, North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance
Amy Navejas, JD, has been a nonprofit executive in North Carolina for nearly her entire career. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she obtained dual degrees in Psychology and Political Science. She then went on to Campbell University’s Norman A. Wiggins School of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate.
Debbie Revels
Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville
Debbie is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville. As a native to Jacksonville, Florida, she is one of the founding members of DSAJ and has been actively involved since its establishment in 1989.
Erin Suelmann
Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis
Since 2016, Erin has served as Executive Director of DSAGSL, where she previously served as Director of Programs. Among other volunteer positions, Erin has served as both Secretary and Vice President of Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action. Her passion for the disability field comes from life with her brother, Andrew, who happens to have Down syndrome and who now lives just a few houses away!
Julie Torzewski, MSBC
Executive Director, Down Syndrome of Louisville
Julie Torzewski, MSBC, is passionate about making the world a better place. Her passion is reflected at Down Syndrome of Louisville, where she became the organization’s Executive Director in January 2019. Julie brought sixteen years of experience in non-profit fundraising, cultivating donor relationships, strategic planning, building partnerships, creating fundraising groups, developing staff, and managing multiple major events and campaigns to this leadership position.
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Amy Van Bergen
Former Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida
Amy Van Bergen has been a nonprofit leader since 1991 and served as executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida until her retirement from full-time work in 2016. Prior to that she was an award-winning newspaper and magazine editor. In 2010, she helped found Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, the first trade association for parent-support groups and she also served on advisory groups for both the National Down Syndrome Congress and National Down Syndrome Society. Amy is the mother of five adult children, including her son Wils who has Down syndrome, as well as Mamey to six grandchildren.
Read more about Amy Van Bergen
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