Leadership Team and Board of Directors

Our board of directors and leadership team provide guidance, governance, and oversight for ABLED's mission, operations, and overall program effectiveness.

Kara Green

Executive Director, Co-Founder

Catherine Hickinbotham-Williams

Curriculum Director, Co-Founder

Daniel Pearce

Practicum Director

Dara Schneider

Program Outreah Director, Co-Founder

Steve Green (Board Chair) has significant Board of Directors experience, including Volunteers of America of Northern California and Northern Nevada, as well as Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California. Mr. Green is a strategic leader, working to set strategy, goals, and objectives for the Board in order to support ABLED's mission.

Lynsay Alexander is an education training and technical assistance specialist with WestEd. She supports the development of systems that promote positive mental health and social–emotional development.

Ryan Allaman is a former middle school Special Education teacher,and Counselor in the San Juan Unified School District. Mr. Allaman brings his critical eye for lesson planning and curriculum review to ABLED's programs.

Andrea Green, PsyD (Kaiser Permanente, Northern California) lends her expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help support the creation of learning opportunities that empower our clients to succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.

Caitlin Koury is a former Human Resources Director for a large biomedical firm in the Boston area. She supports ABLED with her significant people operations experience in order to help ABLED build a scalable recruiting and onboarding and retention system so that ABLED may recruit the best candidates for open roles. 

Samantha Leonard is the owner and founder of a high-end somatic wellness center in the Sacramento area. Proudly neurodivergent, Samantha is a passionate supporter and advocate for ABLED’s clients and programs.

Nicole Wasylkiw, Board Member is General Counsel for the California Chamber of Commerce. She provides legal and governance expertise and significant large-nonprofit experience to support ABLED’s compliance, risk management, and strategic growth.

Our Board of Directors is 71.4% female and 28.6% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), reflecting the diverse communities we serve. Additionally, 100% of our board members are either family members of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or have an intellectual or developmental disability themselves. Our board brings lived experience in disability, education, and nonprofit leadership, ensuring informed and compassionate governance.