President
Meet our Staff
Meet Our Fellows
Alex Howard, Entertainment Media Fellow
Alex Howard earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Television from California State University. He was recently a temp for Warner Brothers and a part-time film critic intern for mxdwn.com. [click to continue…]
Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt, Entertainment Media Communications Fellow
Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt is a writer, actress, and advocate for disability and autism representation in the entertainment industry. She wants to write for TV or film, while also finding a way to continue acting. [click to continue…]
Ben Rosloff, Communications Fellow
Ben Rosloff earned a BFA in Electronic Media from Long Island University. He has co-produced, edited and screened multiple films for the United Nations, including a film for World Autism Awareness Day, where Ben interviewed then-Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon. [click to continue…]
Chinyere B. Azike, Policy Fellow
Chinyere Azike started an organization in Nigeria called Nechamah that is similar to RespectAbility. Her work has shown her that numerous possibilities exist for people with disabilities if they are provided with a nurturing environment. [click to continue…]
Courtney Hyde, Nonprofit Management Fellow
Courtney Hyde’s interest in advocating and bringing awareness started when she was young and diagnosed with Juenvile Rheumatoid Arthritis. She will graduate this spring from Hood College. [click to continue…]
Ian Malesiewski, Policy Fellow
Ian Malesiewski currently serves as the Accessibility Services Liaison in the University of Miami’s Student Government. After graduation, he plans to attend law school, where he will focus on disability law and policy. [click to continue…]
Kelley Cape, Entertainment Media Fellow
Kelley Cape has spent her professional and academic career galvanizing inclusive cultures everywhere she goes. She previously joined USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative as a research assistant. [click to continue…]
Roque Renteria, Entertainment Media Fellow
Roque Renteria has performed stand-up comedy on Comedy Central and Amazon Prime. He graduated from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television with an MFA in Screenwriting. [click to continue…]
Samantha Haas, Jewish Inclusion Fellow
Samantha Haas is a virtual substitute teacher, Hebrew school teacher and Intern for New Directions Early Head Start of Delaware. She has high hopes that she will be able to impact the lives of many children and families. [click to continue…]
Stephanie Santo, Policy Fellow
Stephanie Santo has a Master’s Degree in counseling for mental health and wellness from NYU. She feels a responsibility to communicate with her clients and is saddened by the lack of health care access many people have in the Deaf community. [click to continue…]
Taylor Ragano, Community Outreach & Impact Fellow
Ragano is currently a graduate student at Virginia Tech, earning her Master of Public Administration Degree. She hopes to work in the federal government to formulate policy initiatives as a lobbyist for the disability community. [click to continue…]
Tyler Hoog, Entertainment Media Fellow
Tyler Hoog earned a Masters Degree in Screenwriting from the University of Southern California. His comedic perspective is shaped by his nine years in a wheelchair. [click to continue…]
Zoltán Boka, Policy Fellow
Zoltán Boka has earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, taught in three continents and worked in municipal, state and federal government. His research and analysis has been published in over a dozen outlets. [click to continue…]
