Danielle has served as Executive Director and CEO of NAPSEC since 2018. She leads the organization’s advocacy efforts in shaping public policy to positively impact individuals served in member programs while supporting the growth of a collaborative membership network of nonpublic special education and adult service programs. Danielle is a government relations professional and former congressional staffer with nearly a decade of experience working with elected officials and private sector clients in Washington, DC. She has counseled heads of state and cabinet-level officials and has played a leadership role in directing influential advocacy campaigns for education, human rights, and global health issues. She holds a master’s degree in diplomacy from Norwich University, a graduate certificate in intelligence studies from American Military University, and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of South Carolina.

Ken Berger is a passionate advocate for individuals with special needs, bringing decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and direct service to his role as President of NAPSEC and Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of Spectrum360. Ken's efforts focus on transforming the social sector, to better serve the most vulnerable members of our society. In addition to his current Board leadership role at NAPSEC, he is a board member of NJASEPS (a statewide association of NJ private special education schools), and the Alliance of Special Education Schools of Northern NJ. In these board positions Ken works with colleagues to promote best practices and secure critical resources for students with special needs. Ken is also in board positions with Grafton Integrated Health Network, a Virginia-based nonprofit serving children and adults with behavioral health challenges, and Able Angel, a nonprofit focused on increasing funding for tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families. All of these board roles further demonstrate his commitment to the cause of serving and advocating for those with special needs. In his pursuit of improving the social sector as a whole, Ken co-hosts the podcast "The Nonprofit Fix" which launched in the summer of 2023. This platform provides valuable insights and strategies to help nonprofits of all kinds have frank conversations about the challenges the sector faces and ways we can enhance their performance as well as maximize their impact.

Dr. Linda Myers is the Vice President of School Programs for the Kennedy Krieger Institute. In addition she holds a faculty position as an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), as well as a Faculty appointment with the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In her current position, Dr. Myers is responsible for organizing the delivery of comprehensive high quality evidence-based practices for students with autism in the areas of curriculum, instruction, employee training and professional development in autism, and best clinical practices. She reviews all proposals for research to be conducted in the school programs and serves as Principal Investigator on approved studies. Dr. Myers also currently serves on Maryland’s Advisory Committee for the Home and Community Services Autism Waiver; and on the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) Board of Directors as Conference Committee Chair, and on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Centers (MANSEF).

Dr. Steven Girelli is a licensed clinical psychologist and the President/CEO of Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain, CT. He has worked in the field of child welfare/child mental health for over 40 years, over 30 of which have been at Klingberg, a multi-service agency providing behavioral health, child welfare, and educational programs to children and families. In addition to serving on the NAPSEC Board, Dr. Girelli serves on several state and other national boards, including the Children’s League of Connecticut, Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance, Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, and National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health. He also serves on the Joint Commission Behavioral Health Care and Human Services Accreditation Advisory Council and the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council. Dr. Girelli resides in Glastonbury, CT with his wife, Dr. Gwen Kesten. They have three adult children. He is an avid rollerblader.

Jennifer McGlothlin-Renault is the Senior Vice President of Maryland Operations for Arrow Child & Family Ministries and The Arrow Center for Education Schools. Jennifer joined Arrow in 1999 and has had the pleasure of serving in many roles. In her current position, Jennifer manages and develops Special Education, Treatment Foster Care, Residential, and Community Based programs for Arrow in Maryland. Jennifer earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Towson University and her Masters of Education from Loyola University Maryland. Jennifer is certified in Reading and Special Education by the Maryland State Department of Education. Currently, Jennifer serves as a Commissioner for the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES) and as a Board Member for the Community Behavioral Health of Maryland (CBH). Jennifer previously served on the Board of the Maryland Association for Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF), as the President for the Maryland Association of Resources for Family and Youth (MARFY); and on the board for Maryland Nonprofits (MANO). As a representative of Arrow, Jennifer has presented at conferences hosted by the Texas Alliance, the Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA), MARFY, and MANSEF. 

Michael L. Kelly is the Executive Director, and Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Boston Higashi School, Inc. located in Randolph, Massachusetts. Mike has been serving as the School’s Executive Director since 2008. Mike is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts, has been with the Boston Higashi School for 35 years and held prior positions as the School’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Mike has also worked in Public Accounting including several years at the Accounting Firm of Ernst and Young as a Manager and Senior Manager. Mike earned a degree in Business Administration from Salem State University and obtained a Certificate of Leadership in Private Special Education from Suffolk University. In 2024, Mike assumed the role as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of NAPSEC after serving for two years as a member of NAPSEC’s Finance Committee Chair. In addition to the current Treasurer’s position at NAPSEC, Mike has and continues to serve on the Audit Committee Chair, Contracts and Reimbursement Committee, and the Government Affairs Committee for the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (Maaps).

An attorney by profession with a career devoted to consensus-building, Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker was named in the spring of 2019 as only the third Executive Director in the 40-year history of the Massachusetts Association of Chapter 766 Approved Private Schools (MAAPS). She oversees all aspects of MAAPS’ operations and strategy and serves as MAAPS’ top liaison to state, local, and federal officials, regulators, and policymakers. Prior to MAAPS, Elizabeth served as senior legal counsel and Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), the 1,300-employee, $900M (annual revenue) quasi-public agency that operates Logan International Airport and airport and port facilities in Boston, Bedford, and Worcester. Prior to Massport, Elizabeth served for 6 years as a senior attorney and major project negotiator for the City of Boston in the administration of Mayor Thomas M. Menino. She earned her juris doctor from Suffolk University Law School, where she focused on special-education law, and her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College. A Boston native, Elizabeth as a girl attended MAAPS member Landmark School, which serves students in grades 2-12 with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities. Elizabeth and her husband live north of Boston and are parents of three young children.

Jonathan Evans has been teaching and working with students with developmental disabilities including autism since 2001. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, a Master’s degree in Cross Categorical Special Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Arizona State University. Jonathan has been a Special Education administrator since 2011. Special Education is a passion of Jonathan’s and there is nothing more exciting for him than seeing his students succeed. His educational philosophy is to make sure that all of his students achieve a life of dignity and self worth. Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. He also enjoys traveling internationally, outdoor activities, spending time in the mountains or at the beach, and watching his children play sports.

Michael Somers III is the Executive Director of Chapel Hill Academy, with over 20 years of experience in special education. His long-standing commitment to the school is reflected in the many roles he has held, including paraprofessional, teacher’s assistant, school psychologist, principal, and administrator before stepping into his current leadership position. He is widely recognized for his dedication and innovative support of students with social, emotional, and learning challenges. In 2013, he was named School Psychologist of the Year by ASAH (NJASEPS) and has developed extensive expertise in school neuropsychology and behavioral programming. For more than a decade, he also served as a certified Master Level Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Instructor, helping create safe and structured learning environments. Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kutztown University and advanced degrees and certifications from Kean University, including Educational Psychology, School Psychology, and Educational Administration. He is currently completing his Ed.D. at Seton Hall University. A Nationally and New Jersey Certified School Psychologist, he also serves on the NJASEPS Board and will join the NAPSEC Board of Directors as Conference Chair.

Dr. Aaron Parsons is the Vice President of School Programs for Kennedy Krieger Institute. As a member of the Special Education Administration, Dr. Parsons is responsible for oversight of several of the Institute’s school programs, as well as supervision of admissions, regulatory compliance and transition services. He also supervises psychological and behavioral services in the schools and works with a broad, multi-disciplinary leadership team. Additionally, Dr. Parsons supervises the School Programs' IS department, who are critical to administering distance learning. Dr. Parsons remains active in many areas of policy affecting children and adults with disabilities.

Julie Hickey is the Education Director of The Benedictine School, serving students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. She holds a Master’s in Special Education from Wilmington University and is certified in Special Education and School Administration by the Maryland State Department of Education. With 23 years of experience, Julie has served in direct care and leadership roles and provided training to educators, parents, and first responders.

Marty is the Executive Director of ScenicView Academy in Provo, Utah, which is a nonprofit that serves young adults with Autism and other neurodiversities. In addition to the NAPSEC Board, Marty also participates on other local and national committees and associations. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, he was the Clinical Director at ScenicView for 7 years. Marty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and was a therapist and administrator for 14 years in community mental health prior to joining ScenicView. Marty is an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University, teaching graduate and undergraduate students in Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. Marty enjoys providing therapy to adults through his own private practice and he loves training and supervising new therapists. Marty has visited 30 countries and has been to all 50 United States with his own travels and with several performing groups. He enjoys his hobby of acting in plays, films, and television productions. Marty is very happy to be serving on the NAPSEC Board. He loves the opportunity to connect with professionals from many schools and programs. ScenicView Academy has benefited in many ways from being associated with NAPSEC including being accredited with NCASES.

Dan Petrie is the Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Valley Child and Family Services, and Mountain Valley Academy in Northern California.  Dan started his career as a direct care counselor at a small group home in a mountain community working with troubled teens.  He started at Mountain Valley during his undergraduate studies as a mental health worker and has worked in positions of progressive responsibility for the past 37 years culminating in being appointed CEO in 2015.  Dan has a BA and MA in Psychology, 1st and 2nd degree black belts in Kuk Sool Won.  He has 5 children, 8 grandchildren and enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking – anything outdoors and active. He lives with his wife of 26 years on her family’s ranch in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, which is also the location of Mountain Valley Academy.  In addition to the NAPSEC board of directors, Dan also serves as a Commissioner for NCASES. At the state level, Dan is on the board of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services as the chair of the Education Committee.  Dan still enjoys working with the students directly and leads a job training program for a few hours each week teaching vocational skills, wildfire mitigation and conservation projects around the ranch.  Mountain Valley operates private residential treatment and non public school programs for special education students from throughout California. 

Anna Gleason has served Summitview Child & Family Services, Inc. for the past 29 years. After graduating from Oregon State University, Anna followed her passion for serving others through working with youth and families with backgrounds of complex trauma, mental illness, and behavioral issues.  Anna, as CEO, has led this program in increasing mental health services, expanding educational opportunities for those served, and representing best practices for youth and families in this region as well as statewide. During Anna’s tenure, she has obtained and sustained national accreditation for Summitview and ensured that all practices are trauma informed and culturally relevant. Though Anna began at Summitview directly working residentially with the youth, she expanded the agency in comprehensive mental health programs through residential facilities, non-public school classrooms, school-based wellness centers, substance abuse programs, crisis response, and outpatient services. Anna’s focus remains on permanency for youth, breaking down barriers for mental health treatment, and accessing one’s education. As an example of leadership, Anna actively participates via committees and board memberships with the California Alliance of Children and Family Services, the California Child Welfare Council’s CSEC Action Team and the Suicide Prevention Planning Committee.

Larry has dedicated his 40+ year career in special education and human services almost exclusively to youth who have life challenges, supporting their educational and personal goals and overseeing high-quality programs and services to meet their needs. Larry joined League School for Autism in 2018 as its Chief Operating Officer and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in July 2020. He is thrilled to serve at League alongside an outstanding staff of talented professionals who are dedicated to creating a learning environment that provides students with a high-quality education, a caring community, and the opportunity to live the most fulfilling life possible. Beginning as a mental health therapist, Larry has also held a variety of administrative positions throughout his career, serving mostly in private special education settings. He holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Larry has served for more than 10 years on the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) Executive Committee, including two years as President, and currently serves on the MAAPS Board of Directors. He co-founded the Neurodiversity Employment Partnership, an organization of schools, adult agencies, Autistic advocates, and employers whose mission is to increase employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals. Larry is also a founding member of the Stoughton Diversity and Inclusion Organization, Chair of the Stoughton YMCA Board of Governors, and member of the Old Colony YMCA Board of Directors. Working with Autistic individuals has opened Larry’s eyes to the diversity of human experience and magnified his desire to ensure all individuals are accepted, included, and empowered.

Stacey McIntyre, MA, BCBA, LBA, is a Licensed Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with autism and related disabilities, their families, school districts and agencies.  Stacey holds a master’s degree in ABA from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she received extensive training in the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.  Stacey is the Director of Resource and Training for the Ivymount Organization.  As part of Ivymount’s senior leadership team, Stacey drives initiatives related to attracting, hiring, training, and investing in Ivymount professionals while facilitating organizational compliance with state, federal and professional regulations.  Stacey is a member of the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis and served on the Executive Council as the first legislative committee chair. A past member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Private Special Education Centers, Stacey chaired the organization’s public policy committee. Stacey has presented at local, national and international conferences, parent/school groups and in-service trainings on a variety of topics, including the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior, effective autism treatments, student learning needs, evidence-based staff training, ethics and professionalism. 

Helen Bosch is a recently retired leader in special education and adult disability services with more than three decades of impact at Vista Life Innovations, a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities through real-world training and meaningful community connection. As CEO, she led the organization through significant growth and expansion, transforming it into a program that serves individuals from across the country. Under her leadership, Vista earned accreditation from the National Commission on Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES), reflecting a strong commitment to quality and best practices. Helen has also served on numerous national and statewide boards and committees focused on advancing community inclusion, neurodiversity, and expanded opportunities for adults with disabilities, and in retirement, she continues to support leadership development and organizational capacity building for the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

Raymond Damm has been working with ACCEL since March of 2016, starting as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Development Officer, and transitioning to the role of Chief Executive Officer in June of 2018. Ray holds a B.S. from The University of Virginia – Wise and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Having held executive positions in both the public and private sectors, Ray is driven to apply private sector best practices to sustainably address issues the public sector is driven to solve. This is especially true for underserved groups of individuals and those whose voice isn’t heard. He is motivated by ACCEL’s 400+ students and 100+ adults that overcome incredible obstacles each and every day. Outside of work, Ray is happiest spending time with family, making and repairing watches, playing golf and being in the mountains or on the beach.