MEET THE STAFF

Janet Gora - Executive Director: As the Executive Director, I am responsible for providing proactive and effective leadership and management for the DSAGC to fulfill our mission and values working alongside our Board of Trustees and staff. I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of service to the self advocates, families and our region and to enhance the DSAGC's professionalism across the nation. As an advocate for people with Down syndrome, by my decisions, actions, and statements, I endeavor to represent the values and worth of all persons in our community.
I have seventeen years experience working with people with disabilities in a variety of ways including residential, vocational and social. I live in Anderson Township with my husband and two boys.
Email Janet ( janet@dsagc.com )

Lyn Bucalo-Event Coordinator: As the Event Coordinator for the DSAGC, I am responsible for planning all fundraisers including the Annual Theatre Party, the Annual Golf Tournament, and the Buddy Walk. Recently, I have joined the staff at DSAGC and I am honored to be a part of a team that is “recognized” in the community for its mission and values. My background consists of Sales, Commercial and Graphic Artist, and running a small event planning business. More than half my life has been dedicated to volunteering my time to charitable organizations and events within the community and raising my three amazing children. My event planning experience emerged at an early age within our family business, which was comprised of children’s amusement and carnival rides. I look forward to a long-standing relationship with the DSAGC and all the families within it.

Lisa Steele - Business Manager: I have been with the DSAGC since 1992. Through the years I have worked as Administrative Assistant and Program Coordinator. For the past few years I have had various administrative and financial responsibilities as the Business Manager. I have been the editor of the DSAGC newsletter, D.S.Press since 1996. I also bring experience as the mother of a child with developmental delays and share the same joys and challenges as many of our parents.
Email Lisa ( lisa@dsagc.com )

Pat Brown - Development Manager: Pat Brown has joined the staff as the Development Manager.  He will provide leadership for the association’s comprehensive development program, including annual appeals, major and planned gifts, as well as, corporate and foundation support. 
Pat worked for the Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America for fifteen years as the director of operations.  In his time with the Scouts he interfaced with top-level community leaders, managed the council’s annual fund drive, and was responsible for its $4.6 million budget. 
He has been involved in education for over twenty years.  He was a teacher in high school and worked in student affairs at the University of Cincinnati.  He also has served on three school boards of education. 
Pat received his bachelor and master degrees from the University of Cincinnati. He has been married to Jan for thirty-nine years and has three grown children, Jason, Kristen, and Dru.
Email Pat ( pat@dsagc.com )

Charissa Richter – Adult Coordinator: As the Adult Coordinator, I am responsible for coordinating social and educational opportunities for adults with Down syndrome. I am also responsible for providing parents with support by offering networking opportunities and relevant information regarding services and resources applicable to them. In addition, I provide support for our Self-Advocate Representative and represent the DSAGC by serving on selective community committees. I direct initiatives such as the Friendship Network, AIM, and the Speaker’s Bureau. I am also responsible for researching and pursuing possible grant funding for adult programs. Exploring and supporting partnerships with other community agencies who share common values and goals with the DSAGC is also central to my role.
I have lived in the Cincinnati area since 1999 and currently reside in Northern KY with my husband and our two beagles. Before I joined the DSAGC staff, I was working with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the Occupational & Physical Therapy department. I am currently a student in Xavier University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Martha Ostendarp - Family Support Coordinator: I spent 25 years as a preschool teacher before joining the DSAGC staff in 2005. I was inspired to co-found the Grandparent Group just shortly after my third grandchild was born with Down syndrome. As a Family Support Coordinator, I provide support for families of children with Down syndrome through a variety of ways. I provide a 24-hour helpline that answers questions or gives appropriate referrals. I also provide support through a lending library, a parent email network and the Early Matters Program. Contact Martha via email ( martha@dsagc.com ), or call the 24-hour helpline at 513.761.5400, ext. 15.

Sally Tilow - Outreach Coordinator: As the Outreach Coordinator, I am responsible for increasing community awareness of the capabilities and unique contributions of individuals with Down syndrome. I coordinate the educational programs for school age children and their families including the Family Matters Program and regional conferences. I also coordinate professional education programs for teaching professionals and medical personnel. I manage the Hospital Program, Parent-To-Parent Program and Speaker's Bureau and am responsible for securing grants from area foundations.
Email Sally ( sally@dsagc.com )

Collette Maddy - Adminstrative Assistant: I joined the DSAGC staff in June of 2006 as an Administrative Assistant, if you’ve called our office you have probably talked to me. I support the Executive Director as well as the other staff members and also manage the front desk administrative tasks as well greet visitors to our offices. If you want to make a memorial, honorarium or general donation I can help you, or if you would like to enquirer about one of our awareness items I can also help you. Do you have a general question you would like answered? Call or email me! A lifetime resident of the west side, I am married with three children.
Email Collette ( collette@dsagc.com )

Patrice McHale - Self Advocate Representative: I am the Self Advocate Representative at the DSAGC. I work two days a week in the office and sometimes I get to go to schools and businesses and talk to them about Down syndrome. I started school when I was five and attended a Montessori program. I graduated from Anderson High School in 1991. My first job was at the public library where I worked for 14 years. I like my job at the DSAGC but I especially like the Booster’s group which takes place at the DSAGC on the third Thursday of every month. Boosters is when other people with Down syndrome come into the office and we work together. The Boosters are all my friends but I have many friends in the community too. I someday would like to have a boyfriend – but he must know how to dance!
Email Patrice ( dsagc@dsagc.com )