Staff

Executive Director

Jim Hudson, Executive Director

Jim has been the Executive Director of the DSAGC 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.  He has a wealth of leadership and fund development experience with a track record of being a mission-focused leader who gets things done while caring for people along the way.  In addition, Jim has a long history of being connected with individuals and organizations that work with the people with disabilities and their families.  He has a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Miami University and a Master’s in Leadership from Fuller Seminary.  In addition, Jim was Chapter President the Cincinnati Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018, is on the Board of Director for the Leadership Council for Nonprofits and serves on the Membership Advisory Team for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.  During his tenure with the DSAGC, we were honored with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chapter's Business Award for Nonprofit of the Year (1-34 employees) in 2015 and Jim was one of Pillar Award winners as Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year in 2020.  Jim and his wife, Jennifer live in Oakley with their way-too spoiled dog, “Oakley.” Email Jim

Program Team

Maggie Ranz, Early Matters Coordinator

As the Early Matters Coordinator, Maggie is responsible for providing support, resources, programs, and connection opportunities to our youngest families. She will also provide much needed outreach to local health professionals who deliver a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Prior to becoming the Early Matters Coordinator, Maggie worked for University’s Medical Center and then for the James Cancer Hospital. In addition, she started out her career at the DSAGC as our Outreach Coordinator where she spent countless hours connecting with local health professionals, schools, employers, and legislators to make sure our community is an inclusive one. Maggie is a native of Columbus, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University. She has been connected to the Down syndrome community since 2016 when her friend Lindsey’s son, Owen, was born with Down syndrome. Maggie lives on the west side of town with her husband and two children. Email Maggie

Joanie Elfers, School Age Coordinator

As the School Age Coordinator, Joanie attends school meetings and assists with IEPs, behavior plans, and other school related matters. She also does “peer presentations” to students and teachers to expand the school’s knowledge of Down syndrome. In addition, she plans educational, therapeutic, and social opportunities for school-age children and teens throughout the year. Prior to joining the DSAGC staff team in 2014, she worked for worked for Hamilton County Developmental Disability Services as a Service Facilitator then transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as a School Intervention Specialist. She assisted children with various disabilities and medical conditions with their transition back-to-school after their hospitalization.  Joanie has a personal passion and connection to Down syndrome through her niece, Payton Schroeder, was born in February of 2002.  At the age of 7, she was also diagnosed with Autism. Email Joanie

Stephanie Bare, Young Adult Coordinator

As the Young Adult Coordinator, Stephanie is responsible for providing support, resources and programs to ages 18-34. Some areas Stephanie can provide support are for housing, full employment, transportation, healthcare, social networking and aging. Stephanie also is responsible for planning a wide variety of programs including TELL and Find Your Way. She received a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati and a MS in Speech-Language Pathology from East Tennessee State University. Prior to joining the DSAGC staff, Stephanie worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist, specializing in children and adults with developmental disabilities. Stephanie continues to hold her licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She became connected to the DSAGC as a volunteer and to the community by having an older sister with Cerebral Palsy. Email Stephanie

Mazie Wellington, Adult (35+) Coordinator

As the Adult (35+) Program Coordinator, Mazie is responsible for developing a new set of programs and supports to specifically serve adults with Down syndrome over the age of 35 and their families and caregiving networks under the “Living Well for Tomorrow” initiative. Mazie will be researching, collaborating with local organizations and professionals, and developing programming and resources specific to adults over 35. Mazie holds a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Prior to joining the DSAGC staff team, Mazie was a Special Education teacher, where she taught and supported a diverse group of students throughout their elementary and middle school years. She has always had a passion for supporting individuals with unique needs and is excited to transition out of the classroom and into the community to support adults and their caregivers! Mazie relocated with her husband and two children from Milwaukee, WI and now lives in Norwood, OH. Email Mazie

Emma Daniels, Adult Program Specialist

As the Adult Program Specialist, Emma Daniels is responsible for Social Clubs, finding and training Peer Partners, getting new groups together and helping the Peer Partners to make sure their club is a success, and oversees our internship program. Emma Daniels holds a BA in Public Relations, a minor in Organizational Leadership and a focus in Women’s Gender Studies from Northern Kentucky University. Prior to joining the DSAGC staff team in 2017, Emma worked at Jason’s Connection a local non-profit, as well as helped start the Best Buddies program at NKU pairing NKU students with individuals who are a part of the DSAGC in one-to-one friendships, this is how she met her friend Kelsey and got involved at the DSAGC in 2010. She has over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Emma lives in Fort Thomas with her husband Jason and their three kids, Adelyn, Lorelei, Carson, and their cat Frank. Because of Best Buddies Emma has personal passion and connection to Down syndrome through her friend Kelsey, they have been friends since 2010. Email Emma

Outreach Team

Molly Blaker, Outreach Specialist

As an Outreach Specialist, with a focus on leading our educational and employer outreach initiatives, Molly works to support individuals with Down syndrome in schools and places of employment.  She does this by collaborating with educators, school employees, and employers.  Molly has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University.  She began working with DSAGC in 2019, when she became the Outreach Coordinator for the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network.  Prior to becoming the Outreach Specialist, Molly worked as an Intervention Specialist in numerous schools around the greater Cincinnati area.  Molly lives in Loveland with her husband and children. Email Molly

Dr. Sasi Chockalingam, Outreach Specialist

As the Outreach Specialist, Sasi Chockalingam is responsible for reaching out to the local medical professionals to train them on the delivery of the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and to update them on the latest developments within the medical community of Down Syndrome.  Sasi is also responsible for advocating for the rights of all individuals with Down Syndrome and to make sure our community is an inclusive one. Prior to joining the DSAGC, Sasi taught at University of Cincinnati as an adjunct professor during her Ph.D. track. Sasi has her medical degree from St. Petersburg Medical Academy, Russia and her master’s in health education from University of Cincinnati.  She and her family lives in Indian Hill School District. Sasi’s passion for her job comes from her personal connection through her 11-year-old son Rishi who happens to have Down Syndrome. Email Sasi

Amy Iten, Volunteer Coordinator

As the DSAGC Volunteer Coordinator, Amy is responsible for recruiting, training and managing over 700 volunteers each year.  In addition, she directly supports the volunteers who lead our many community groups.  Amy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN.  Prior to joining the staff in 2015, she volunteered as a DSAGC Community Group Leader connecting families like hers who have a loved one with Down syndrome. Email Amy

Development Team

Kerin Caudill, Event Manager

As the Event Manager for the DSAGC, Kerin is a member of the Development Team and plans the organization’s major fundraising events (the Buddy Walk and the Dave Lapham & Ken Anderson Charitable Golf Outing) as well as other projects within the organization. She has worked in the nonprofit sector as a development professional for 25 years, specifically event marketing and fundraising. Prior to joining the DSAGC staff in 2011, Kerin worked for Sesame Workshop, Neighborhood Housing Services of NYC and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,  She relocated to Ohio, from New York, with her husband and 2 children and lives on the East side of Cincinnati.  Email Kerin

Amy Fleming, Project Specialist 

As the Development Assistant, Amy is responsible for managing our World Down Syndrome Day 5K, Summer Picnic, and Holiday Party as well as the Annual Appeal and other projects throughout the year which engage our families and donors. Prior to joining the DSAGC staff team, she worked as the Events and Communications Manager at the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation in Chicago. She graduated from Scranton University in PA and has a Masters from Boston University. She and her husband, Andy live in Mariemont with their four children.  Her second child, Devin, has Down syndrome. Email Amy

Kari Kester, Grants Coordinator

As the Grant Coordinator, Kari is responsible for researching, writing, and submitting grant proposals to area foundations and corporations. These funds help support the programs and services that we provide. Kari graduated from Northern Arizona University and has her Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. She has more than 15 years of nonprofit experience. Her most recent ten years have been in fundraising, including everything from annual campaigns, to grant writing, to donor communication and engagement. Kari and her husband live in West Chester with their two sons. Her youngest son has Down syndrome. She is excited to use her professional experiences and personal passion to support individuals with Down syndrome. Email Kari

Julie Sheffer, Development Coordinator

As the Development Coordinator, Julie’s focus is building and maintaining a base of faithful donors who have both the capacity and desire to give in impactful ways. Julie holds a bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Dayton. Prior to joining DSAGC, Julie worked in the marketing communications department for Corning, Inc. in upstate NY and at Cognis Corporation in Cincinnati, OH. She also worked at Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati as an outing leader for teens and adults with disabilities. Most recently, she was a development manager at Most Valuable Kids, a local non-profit in Cincinnati. She lives on the east side of Cincinnati with her husband, Scott, and their 3 children and 2 dogs.

Business Team

Lisa Steele, Business Manager

As the Business Manager, Lisa is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day and big picture finances as well as our Community Participation Fund (scholarships). This position helps provide the foundation and building blocks necessary to support the staff members as they work to achieve their organizational goals. Lisa joined the DSAGC staff team in 1992 as Administrative Assistant and held many different positions within the organization. She lives in Kennedy Heights with her husband and daughter, Becca. She is a mother of a daughter with a developmental disability and shares the same joys and challenges as many of our families. Email Lisa

Andy Baker, Bookkeeping Assistant

As the Bookkeeping Assistant, Andy assists the Business Manager with the DSAGC’s day-to-day financial tasks. He has a diverse professional background having served in various roles in the private and public sectors. Andy brings over 25 years of experience in financial management, customer relations, and project management. Andy is keenly aware of the invaluable role the DSAGC plays in the Greater Cincinnati Down syndrome community, as he has a nine-year old daughter with Ds. His family has leaned into the talented and caring staff at the DSAGC many times over the years. Andy lives in Glendale with his wife Jen and their daughter Carly and son Quinn. Email Andy

Jenn Schott, Office Coordinator 

As the Office Coordinator, Jenn will assist our staff team with a variety of tasks including program preparation, database entry, communicating with families, administrative tasks, and more. Jenn has been in the developmental disabilities field since 2012 serving in a variety of roles including paraprofessional, direct support, and program lead. She lives in the east side of Cincinnati with her child. Email Jenn

Marketing Team

Krissy Vinson, Communications Coordinator

As the Communications Coordinator, Krissy is responsible for creating and editing all content on the DSAGC website, social media platforms and Ds Press.  She oversees the overall marketing objectives of the organization and strives to promote the DSAGC through various media outlets. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Northern Kentucky University.  Prior to joining the staff in 2012, Krissy volunteered at the DSAGC because she has a family connection to Down syndrome. She lives in Northern KY with her husband and children. Email Krissy