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Danielle Damm
Executive Director and CEO
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, President
Spectrum360
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 ASAH (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, Past President
Kennedy Krieger Institute
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. W. Allen Clark, Vice President
Trousdale School
Allen has been the Administrative Director of Trousdale School since 2011. The school is a non-degree post-secondary program for adults, 22 years of age or older, with intellectual disabilities. Allen’s favorite jobs at Trousdale School are analyzing the student assessment data and teaching cooking classes. He has a MBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, an Educational Specialist degree, and an Educational Doctorate from Lee University, plus a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Allen has been elected to the NAPSEC Board of Directors since 2018 and has continuously served on the finance committee. Allen has two children in high school. In his spare time, Allen serves on the Eagle Scout Board for the Ocoee District, enjoys woodworking, and watching TN Vols football, Go Vols!
Jennifer McGlothlin-Renault, Secretary
Arrow Child & Family Ministries
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.
Mike Kelly, Treasurer
Boston Higashi School
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. In addition to the current Treasurer’s position at NAPSEC, Mike has and continues to serve on the Audit Committee, Contracts and Reimbursement Committee, and the Government Affairs Committee for the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (Maaps).
Elizabeth D.R. Becker, Esq., CASA Chair
Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education 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, Membership Committee Chair
ACCEL
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.
Steve Girelli, Governance Committee Chair
Raymond Hill School
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.
Kathleen Flannery, Conference Committee Chair
Sheppard Pratt Schools
Kathy Flannery, MEd, is vice president and chief of schools. With more than 20 years of special education experience, Kathy has served at Sheppard Pratt as a teacher, curriculum instruction, and assessment coordinator, and an Assistant Principal. Throughout her tenure, she spent 17 years working with students ranging from ages 3-21 diagnosed with autism. Kathy has experience developing instructional and behavioral programming for all age and grade levels, and has sound knowledge of evidence-based practices for teaching individuals with autism to gain skills. She earned her bachelor of science in elementary education and a master of education in reading education from Towson University, Towson, MD. She holds certification from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) in both elementary and special education. Kathy is currently a board member for the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) and The Autism Society Baltimore-Chesapeake Affiliate (ASBC).
Aaron Parsons, Public Policy Chair
Kennedy Krieger Institute
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.
Marty Matheson, At Large
ScenicView Academy
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, At Large
Mountain Valley Child and Family Services
Mountain Valley Academy
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, At Large
Summitview Child & Family Services, Inc.
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.
Dr. Courtney Gaskins, At Large
PHILLIPS Programs
Dr. Courtney Gaskins joined PHILLIPS programs in Virginia as the Education Director on August 10, 2023. Dr. Gaskins is a graduate of George Mason University and the University of Mary Washington. She began her professional career with Virginia Tech/Virginia Cooperative Extension as the state Director of the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk initiative and later, was on loan to the U.S. Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation to assess youth programs worldwide. She has been a public and private school teacher for 10 years. For 12 years, she was the Vice President of Programs at Youth For Tomorrow in Bristow, Virginia. She spent a year with the U.S. HHS Family and Youth Services Bureau as the Director of Optimal Adolescent Development, and two years as the Executive Director of Childhelp’s Alice C. Tyler Village in Lignum, Virginia.
Dr. Gaskins spent eight years on the board of the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities, was appointed twice by the Virginia School Board to the Virginia Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure, and was appointed by two Virginia Governors to the State Executive Council. Dr. Gaskins is an amateur artist, the adoptive mother of Shanelle, and the mother to a cat named Pumpkin Pie.
Stacey McIntyre, At Large
Ivymount
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, At Large
Vista Life Innovations
Helen Bosch is the CEO of Vista Life Innovations, a nonprofit center, empowering adults with disabilities through real life training experiences and human connection to the community. In her 30+ years at Vista Life Innovations, she has led its development and expansion, which now attracts adults with disabilities from all over the country. Vista is accredited by NCASES- National Commission on Accreditation of Special Education Services. Helen has a postgraduate degree in the field of disability services and serves as a Commissioner on NCASES. She has served on numerous Boards and Committees in Connecticut, designed to enhance the local communities as well as the acceptance of adults with disabilities and increase opportunities for those with neurodiversity. Helen has served on Adult Services and Public Policy Committees of NAPSEC.
Ray Damm, At Large
ACCEL
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.
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