Meet our Staff

President

Vice President, Communications

Policy and Practices Director

National Leadership Program Director

Director of Community Outreach and Impact

Manager of Inclusive Philanthropy and Development

Communications Associate

Director of Finance and Administration

Director of RespectAbility California and Jewish Leadership

Hollywood Inclusion Associate

Program Associate, RespectAbility California and Jewish Leadership

Development Associate

Entertainment Outreach Program Manager

Senior Production Advisor

Senior Production Advisor

Education Consultant

Senior Advisor

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 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 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 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’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…]

Donjeta Sahiti earned her Masters in Public Administration from Seton Hall University. She hopes to one day run her own nonprofit organization with a focus on educational advancements. [click to continue…]

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…]

Jake Stimell graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. He previously worked in disability advocacy at the Invisible Disabilities Association. [click to continue…]

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…]

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…]

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 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…]