Our Board
Members of the Board come from around the state and are appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms. At least 60% of the membership consists of people with developmental disabilities or their family members. The remaining 40% includes representatives from state agencies, providers and other organizations within the disability community.
Ashley is a disability advocate who has spoken around the state of Wisconsin advocating for individuals with special needs. She is a Wisconsin Policymaking Partner, Employment 1st Ambassador and President of People First’s Rhinelander Chapter. Her motto is “Cross out the Dis and Embrace the Ability.”
Sydney is a self advocate on the BPDD board and is also the current Board President for the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum. She is a Partners in Policymaking alumni and became a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line in December of 2019. “I got involved with advocacy because I want to make Wisconsin a better place for all people with disabilities.”
Kevin works for the Division of Medicaid Services as a Policy Initiative Advisor. He is one of the board’s official state agency representatives. “I am honored to serve on the Board and collaborate with the many partners to improve services for our Wisconsin citizens.”
It is both my honor and privilege to represent people with disabilities in a dual capacity for WIBPDD: as a supportive family member and committed provider. My mother is Ho-Chunk and my father was Standing Rock Sioux. I reside in Nizura (Wisconsin Dells) with my family and relatives. I will steadfastly advocate for cultural responsivity and equity lenses in collaborative efforts that benefit people with disabilities.
Stephenie is from the Fox Valley Region. She represents her community as a self-advocate on the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD). ” This appointment allows me to hear from and work with others who bring their own perspectives, valuable talents, passions, and areas of expertise to the table. Using my own experience of living life with a disability as a backdrop, I lend my unique voice and perspective to this forum and put it to good use as a representative for my community.”
Cindy Piotrowski is currently the Director at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County. Cindy is responsible for the successful management of the county department that administers a variety of community-based services and access to long-term care. She aims to assist seniors and adults with disabilities to maintain physical and mental well-being, independence, safety and dignity.
Lisa is the Family Resiliency Unit Manager with the Manitowoc County Human Services Department. Lisa has the opportunity to work with teams in the Children’s Long Term Support Program, Children’s Community Options Program, Coordinated Services, and county Birth to 3. Lisa’s passion is finding people’s strengths and building upon those!
I represent Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) on the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. I am an Advocacy Specialist in the Protection and Advocacy program at DRW. For the past 19 years I’ve worked for social service agencies throughout Dane County as a licensed social worker. I’ve enjoyed helping people navigate challenging systems and empower people to be able to advocate for themselves. I live in Madison, where I enjoy relaxing in nature, hanging out with family, and cooking.
Kelly is a self-advocate from Mukwonago.
I hope that with my personal experience of being a caregiver and family member of someone with a disability that I can help speak out on behalf of him and others. I want to help make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
Felicia Clayborne lives in Wauwatosa, WI. She is intellectually disabled and visually impaired. She is a cleric leader and has her own travel group named Abilities Travel Club. Felicia statewide advocate. “The reason why I want to be on the BPDD board for make an impact within the I/DD community and to empower others around me and even the I/DD. I want to make sure that we as board can achieve the goals that we have set out to do.”
I’m an early childhood educator, Community Health Worker, birthworker, asthma advocate, Pail Advocate, Lactation Consultant Specialist, IEP supporter, and I’m still learning more. I’m also the founder of Mommy Beautiful Sunrise Inc (MBS). MBS is an organization that empowers and uplifts melanin families.
I wanted to be on the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities to be the voice for other parents with children with disabilities and my community. I want to ensure their voice is heard as well as mine. I also wanted to be part of the change and know more ways to support our children in Milwaukee.
Anna works for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as Deputy Director for Bureau of Consumer Services. She is interested in helping individuals with disabilities realize their inherent strengths, value and find success through employment and community engagement.
Desi is determined to live a completely independent life. “I want to make the system better so people don’t have to go through what I did when I lived in a group home.”
Daniel Parker is the assistant director of special education at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Board’s liaison with the Department of Public Instruction.
Hector is the Executive Director and founder of PADRES E HIJOS EN ACCION. “I envision a world in which all people with disabilities have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, and strengthen the civic life of the community as a whole. I see the Board as an opportunity to reach this goal.”
Julie is the President of Opportunity Development Centers Inc. “I am honored and humbled to be appointed by Governor Evers to serve on the BPDD Board of Directors. In my every day work at ODC, we provide supports so that every person can live their best life. It is important to me to extend this to statewide advocacy.”
Kate Szidon has a Master’s degree in special education from the University of Oregon’s Specialized Training Program in transition. Following her certification program, Kate taught special education for fourteen years. Her experiences in special education include providing technical assistance and support. Kate joined the Waisman Center in the summer of 2009. She has worked on a variety of grant funded projects training and supporting special education professionals and families raising children with developmental disabilities.
Christi Whiting joins the Board as a family member of an individual with disabilities. She lives just outside of Madison, in the Town of Middleton, with her husband and three sons, but grew up in Rhinelander and still enjoys spending time with her family “up North.” Christi works as an attorney for WEC Energy Group when she isn’t coordinating kid activities, reading or spending time outside. She first became involved with BPDD as an advocate for her son, and is committed to the mission of enabling all individuals to live rich and fulfilling lives, and to expanding awareness in the broader community of the challenges facing individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Christi has a special interest in supporting family members in finding respite, care coordination, and other resources.
George is the parent of an adult son with a disability and has spent many years advocating for people with disabilities to be fully accepted in the community.”I want to improve society’s understanding of how much people with disabilities have to contribute to the well-being of our communities.”
Tara Brzezinski lives in Neenah Wisconsin with husband, three children, two dogs. She sits on the BPDD as a parent representative to help be a stronger advocate for her son and those throughout the state with disabilities. She is very active in her community and advocacy world. She sits on the Neenah School board, is on two CLTS committees for Winnebago co, is a child parent advocate specializing in IEPs, and helps with the special needs department at her church.
Tara loves being able to find solutions to issues that affect those with disabilities. She is very passionate about making sure their rights are protected and respected.
Patrick is a self advocate. Issues that are important to him include housing, transportation, and employment. He would like to increase his advocacy. Here is his video statement.
Ryan McGuire is a Senior Consultant with Oak Wealth Advisors, a special needs financial planning firm, in Madison. As a big brother to a wonderful young lady with developmental disabilities, Ryan is inspired to help individuals live their most independent and best lives. Ryan appreciates the passionate involvement of self-advocates within BPDD and hopes that his experience can benefit the mission of the organization. Outside of work, Ryan serves as a high school wrestling referee and enjoys performing music. Ryan resides in the Madison area with his wife and two daughters.
Marcia is basic needs and community advocate. She was appointed as a family member representative on the board. Marcia is also on the Milwaukee county Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
“I wanted to be on the board to be able to build a gateway for 2 family members and to bring forth and engage in a meaningful lifestyle by breaking barriers. The best way to help yourself is putting your arms around someone else.”
Nathan is the sibling of a person with disabilities, a Partners in Policymaking graduate, and a longtime advocate for people with disabilities. Nathan works as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Growing up in Burkina Faso, Africa, I used to dream about my future. I never imagined that at 12 years old I would come to live with my forever family in America. I am the youngest of two sisters and one brother in my family but, I am proud to say that I am the tallest! I live in my apartment in the Northwoods of Wisconsin with my cat Hank. I enjoy spending time running, playing the drums, spending time with family, and working at Goodwill. I also participate in Special Olympics and I recently joined the BPDD Board as a Self-Advocate. Although life has brought many changes and challenges for me, I am encouraged to share my story to help others.
Tricia serves as a family member/caregiver representative on the Board. Her unique perspective comes from raising her brother as well as living with two parents who were both diagnosed with a disability. She understands the challenges individuals with disabilities and non-traditional caregivers sometimes encounter. “I feel honored to be included as a member of a group I believe is filled with authentic voices.”
Andy Thain is a self-advocate with cerebral palsy. From 2011-2016, he started and ran his own business that helped other people with disabilities who relied on in-home care, He is very interested in addressing the caregiver shortage as well as issues around integrated employment for people with disabilities. “I believe given the right supports everyone should be able to have the opportunity to work and live fulfilling lives.”
I look forward to being able to represent Western Wisconsin on the board. It’s an area of the state that I feel is sometimes overlooked. My personal favorite areas of disability Policy include ADA compliance transportation issues and the caregiving crisis.