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Executive Director

Heather Barnes

Heather has a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and originally began her career as a practicing clinician.  For the last 16 years, Heather has held various management roles within nonprofits and has worked with the disability community for the last 14 years.  Prior to joining DSACF, Heather spent the last 13 years working for Best Buddies, another nonprofit that provides various programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Through her work with Best Buddies, Heather has gotten to know, and love, so many of the individuals and families with Down syndrome living in Central Florida, that she could not wait to join this amazing team of staff and volunteers.  Heather loves to volunteer at her children's (Hailey - 11 y.o. and Luke - 10 y.o.) schools and has been actively involved in her school's PTO.

 

Development Manager

Amy Drow

Amy has a BS degree in Event Management from UCF and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 10 years. Amy began volunteering in high school with Best Buddies and received the "Florida Friendship of the Year Award” and has since loved the nonprofit world. Amy has several certifications including Certificate in Proposal Writing, CPR AED & T.I.P.S. At DSACF, Amy spends her time working on major events and fundraising.  She has always loved kiddos with something a little “extra" since her older brother is blessed with Down syndrome!

 

Julie Allen

Littles Program Coordinator

Julie E. Allen is a 2016 cum laude graduate from Rollins College in Orlando, Florida with BA in Elementary Education an endorsement in ESE. For the last six year she has been teaching ESE from preschool to high school age children. Julie is venturing from the classroom to the non-profit sector for the first time. Her passion for individuals with Down Syndrome started with the love of her favorite uncle who was blessed to be counted as one of these special individuals. She was especially close with him, and their bond inspired her to pursue her degree in special education. Julie’s desire to make a difference has fueled her professional career throughout her life. She is ecstatic to become part of this amazing organization and team.

 

Marniebel Castro

School Age Program Coordinator

Marniebel has a background in hospitality and event coordination, she became a member of DSACF in 2013 as a parent. In the past 5 years she has been a volunteer and took on the role as Chairperson of the Step Up for Down Syndrome walk. She has a passion for helping and advocating people with Down Syndrome. She currently resides in Orlando, Fl with her husband Philip and Son Tommy(9) who has Down Syndrome.

 


Cynthia Rosado

Cynthia Rosado

Office Administrator

Cynthia has an Associate's degree from the University of Puerto Rico and worked in the pharmaceutical and medical industry for over 23 years. She is blessed with a 6 year old daughter, Zoey, who has Down syndrome. Cynthia loves being able to combine her passion for the special population community with her career at DSACF. Cynthia leads our family/community outreach and memberships and is excited to join our families on their precious journey.


DSACF Board of Directors


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Diane Levine

Writer & Story Strategist, Think Creative
DSACF Board of Directors Chair

Diane leads the story and message development for award-winning brands and campaigns. She connected with the DSACF in 2014 after her son, Cooper (5), was diagnosed with Down syndrome, then joined the board of directors in 2017 to help the organization continue empowering families like hers. She has one other son, Maxon (6) with her husband, Charlie, who is active with the DSACF D.A.D.S. 

Catherine E. Davey, JD, LLM

Davey Law Group, P.A.
DSACF Board of Directors Vice-Chair

Catherine Davey has practiced law for over twenty-five years. Her firm focuses on probate, guardianship, guardian advocacy, estate planning and the drafting and implementation of Special Needs Trusts. She has been a member of the DSACF Board since 2015 and is the founder of Low Down on Law, an informative event co-presented with DSACF two times a year. Catherine currently resides in Maitland with her husband Scott and their three beautiful daughters, the youngest with Down syndrome, as well as one lovable dog and assorted cats.


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Troy Culley

Property & Casualty Insurance Expert, Hylant
DSACF Board of Directors Treasurer

Troy is a Client Executive with Hylant and has a background in Risk Management and Insurance and Finance. He has volunteered with Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, sitting as Executive Chair of the Logistics Committee for the Walk for Wishes and recently went “Over the Edge” for Give Kids the World. He has experience securing corporate sponsorships and fundraising for events. His younger sister has Down Syndrome, and he is very passionate about helping those in the Down syndrome community.


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Ryan Rapolti, MBA

President, Magic Telecom
President, Guys with Ties Philanthropy

Ryan joined the DSACF Board in 2018 and serves as the organization's Entrepreneur Academy Director. Ryan is an enthusiastic award-winning businessman and philanthropist. He has been honored by the Orlando Business Journal as a top "40 under 40" in 2019 and by the University of Central Florida as a top "30 under 30" alumni in 2016. Ryan has diverse, multi-industry business and entrepreneurial experiences including international business, real estate, business consulting and nonprofit leadership. Ryan is always seeking ways to be a leader and connector by helping cultivate new relationships to create a long-lasting impact in business and community.

Patricia Lewis

Patricia is a retired elementary school Teacher and Dean of Students. Her experiences have afforded her the opportunity to work with and advocate for children with special needs. She is the proud mother of a 29-year-old young man with down syndrome. With him as her motivation she has created, and managed programs specifically tailored for teens and young adults with varying exceptionalities. After many years of DSACF membership, she has been accepted to the Board. Patricia is extremely excited to be a part of the future planning and implementation of programs that will be beneficial to the Down Syndrome families, communities, and affiliates.

 


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Sean Travis

Project Manager, PCL Construction

Sean received his bachelor’s degree in construction management from The University of North Florida and is a Project Manager for PCL Construction. Sean currently lives in Winter Park, FL with his wife, Stefani, and two children, Finnley (4) and Florence (2). Sean has a passion for giving and helping whenever possible and has volunteered at events such as The Special Olympics in the past. Other passions include commercial real estate, woodworking and anything related to spending time outdoors. Sean is very excited to assist the Down Syndrome community in any way possible and support DSACF with future decision making.


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Jeff Goodman

Program Manager, LEIDOS

Jeff has worked in modeling, simulation, and training in the military defense industry over 22 years. He currently works business development for Leidos. He has volunteered for the American Cancer Society, been on the board of directors for the March of Dimes, and served as President for East Orange Babe Ruth.


Medical Advisory Board

Comprised of physicians, psychologists, therapists, and other health care professionals who have an interest in and/or experience in caring for individuals with Down syndrome and are familiar with accepted standards of various general and subspecialty care of individuals with Down syndrome.


 


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Samuel Smith, D.O., Chairman

Samuel Smith, D.O is a native of Orlando. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and did a year of post-graduate work before attending medical school at the Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in N. Miami Beach, FL where he graduated in 1988. He did a rotating internship at Metropolitan General Hospital in Pinellas Park, FL and then completed a three year pediatric residency at Orlando Regional Health Services/Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children. He has been in private practice general pediatrics with Interlachen Pediatrics in Maitland, FL since 1992. He is board certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is on the clerkship clinical faculty as an Assistant Professor at Florida State University College of Medicine since 2003 teaching third year medical students. He has served on the board of directors of the Down Syndrome of Central Florida off and on from 1996-2008, was the president of the board from 2005-2008, and the chairman of the DSACF medical advisory board since its inception in 2015. Dr. Smith has been married for almost forty years and has one daughter, who lives with her husband in Highlands, North Carolina.

Lynda Pollack, M.D.

Bio Coming Soon

 

Jennifer Tucker, PT, DPT, PCS

Bio coming soon.

 

Annuette R Cabiac, M.D.

Bio coming soon.

 

Gerson Valencia Villeda, M.D.

Bio coming soon.

 

Sheryl Logan, M.D.

Bio coming soon.

 

Julie Denham, M.D.

Bio coming soon.

 

Wendy Yovaish, ARNP

Bio coming soon.

 

Kristin Marie Castillo Farias, M.D.

Kristin Farias, MD, MA, is an Internist and a Pediatrician in practice with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Dr. Farias currently serves as the Medical Director for the Orlando Health Complex Care and Transition Program, and she is also an Associate Program Director for the University of Florida at Orlando Health Pediatric Residency Training Program. Dr. Farias is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. 

After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Farias earned her medical and medical anthropology degrees from Harvard University, Boston. She completed an internal medicine–pediatrics residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Farias held an appointment at Harvard University prior to joining Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in 2018. She has contributed to multiple medical research projects and has given presentations in Massachusetts and Florida. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

 

Daniel Irizarry, M.D.

Bio coming soon.

 

Stacy Taylor, MA, B.C.B.A.

Stacy Taylor received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rollins College and completed her Masters degree in Education at the University of Central Florida.  She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. For over 20 years, she has worked as an early interventionist, educator and behavior analyst providing services to people with developmental disabilities and learning/behavioral challenges.  She has served as director for 3 clinical programs and currently owns and operates an Applied Behavior Analysis program, Advance Behavior & Learning, and a fully inclusive 21st century private school, Advance Learning Academy in Central Florida. Mrs. Taylor has worked in a variety of settings including clinics, schools, and homes.  In addition to providing 1:1 treatment to children, she has also provided training and consultation to parents, teachers, therapists, physicians, and agencies.  She has spoken at numerous conferences across the country on early intervention, education and behavioral treatment.  Mrs. Taylor served as a member and chair on the board of directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida.  She also enjoys teaching college level courses to help students learn more about inclusion, learning, child development, and behavior and her programs provide an internship and practicum site to give students a start in the field and real-world experience. 

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