Leadership
The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta (DSAA) is a 501 (c)(3) Georgia non-profit organization dedicated to support, early intervention, education, awareness and advocacy for persons with Down syndrome and their families. The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta was founded in 1979 and serves the Greater Metro Atlanta area.
The DSAA is governed by a Board of Directors made up of Officers and Directors
Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) are elected by the general membership at the annual meeting held in December each year.
Committees are appointed by the Officers and oversee major activities (Education, Support, Advocacy, Awareness, and Fundraising). The Board meets at least six times a year.
Volunteers
The DSAA has hundreds of dedicated volunteers who help run its programs, social activities and educational seminars, assist with fundraising events, participate in advocacy efforts, speak to local groups, run community-based support groups, provide photography services and raise awareness through our website, newsletter and social media. If you'd like to volunteer, let us know!
Meet the Team
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Sheryl Arno
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Denise Arribas
ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
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Debbie Shadrix
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
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Mya Prowell
BFC OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Board of Directors
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Josh and his family have been members of DSAA since his daughter, Auden, was born in 2010. He serves on the board as a way to give back to the community, to thank all of those who have helped his family, and to be a resource and support for all those who need it. Josh is the Executive Director of Fund Management at Emory University and an alum of Emory, Tufts University, and the University of Michigan.
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Raven lives in the Atlanta area with her husband of 15 years, her 2 beautiful daughters, and 2 dogs they call the “Golden Girls." Her youngest daughter Brooklyn has DS and is a true livewire that keeps her on her toes daily! Raven runs her own training and development company, which she has owned for 11 years. Part of her responsibility as a Board Member is to spearhead the Black Family Connection. This is a way for black families in the community to connect and share mutual experiences. She is honored to be a part of the Down syndrome community with so many amazing individuals!
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Chip is a retired national account executive and long time Atlanta community volunteer. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama, where he met his wife, Lisa. Chip and Lisa have three adult children, Ross & Sydney and Alli - all who reside in Atlanta.
Chip brings a unique perspective to the DSAA board with a diverse work history in addition to being an involved and caring brother-in-law to Lori who had down syndrome. He and Lisa provided ongoing support and guidance on social, health, financial, employment and transportation related issues, to name a few, throughout her adulthood in pursuit of obtaining quality independent living.
In addition to his involvement with DSAA, Chip also serves on the board of trustees and executive committee of Bloom Hillel at The University of Alabama...Roll Tide!
In his spare time, Chip enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching the Crimson Tide play and playing golf.
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Laura Akins practices in the areas of special needs planning, estate planning, elder law and probate with Nadler Biernath. Laura assists her clients in planning for benefit eligibility, family emergencies, finding solutions for complicated mixed family circumstances, long-term care, and for the end of life. After a loved one has experienced a catastrophe or passed away, Laura helps clients navigate through the probate procedure and legalities.
As a native Atlantan, Laura appreciates the opportunity to serve her hometown community. With patience and empathy, she guides her clients through the often overwhelming estate planning or probate processes. Laura finds it incredibly rewarding to connect with her clients and make difficult circumstances easier.
Laura is proud to serve on the Board of the Threshold Community Program, Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, and the Elder Law Section of the Atlanta Bar.
In her free time, Laura loves finding new running routes and hiking trails to explore. She keeps up with new restaurant openings and enjoys trying different cuisines. She also enjoys travel—her favorite destination so far has been Japan!
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Lindsey joined the board in January of 2020. She attended the University of Georgia for undergraduate before graduating from Augusta University with her Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy in August 2017. She works as an occupational therapist at Northside Hospital and her favorite population to work with is the DS community. She loves watching kids, adolescents, and adults with Down syndrome progress and grow. Lindsey attended her first Buddy Walk in 2008 and it became one of her favorite DSAA events; so much so that she has co-chaired the event since 2021! Lindsey also leads programs that assist in handwriting and motor milestones at Gigi’s Playhouse. She recently married her husband, Steven Lubel, in May 2021.
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Clair has served on the DSAA board since 2016 and was president for 4 years. She brings more than 20 years of corporate strategic marketing experience to DSAA to help drive the mission and vision of for the community. She currently works at Equifax where she is the Marketing Leader for the automotive services vertical. In addition, in 2022 she completed the Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program with the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University as a parent advocate.
Clair grew up in the Atlanta area and lives in Decatur with her husband Chad and her children Lucy (11) and Nate (8) who has Down syndrome. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, singing in the church choir, and spending time at the lake with her family.
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Callie Hudak lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters. Her youngest daughter, Lucy, has Down syndrome and is a light to all of those around her. Callie has a professional background in marketing and communications with corporate and non-profit organizations and now leads fundraising for a local non-profit. She is honored to be able to serve on the DSAA board and continue working in support of our amazing Down syndrome community.
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Length of Board Membership: Year One/ 2 Months
Accomplishments: Danny graduated from Tucker high school in 2012. Daniel then participated in a four year
Advanced Leadership and Career Development Program (ALCD) at Kennesaw State University, for which he received a certificate of completion.
Danny has been independently employed at Publix for the last three years, and hopes to transfer to a new department with the assistance of Vocational Rehabilitation's Supported Employment services. COMP Waiver funded services have enabled Daniel to live independently with one of his peers in his own apartment in the Dunwoody area, and he is continually progressing in socialization and life management skills Daniel is very serious about his health and wellness, and represents ADMH (Adult Disability Medical Healthcare) as an ambassador charged with raising funding and awareness for the program. Danie is a strong advocate for adults living with developmental disabilities, and participates annually in GCDD Advocacy Days campaign.
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Brittany is a certified public accountant (CPA) and has worked for the accounting firm, Bennett Thrasher,
for the past 15 years. Her current role is Senior Manager in the financial reporting and assurance
practice. She and her husband are both Auburn alums and live in Marietta with their 3 children: Carter
(11), Sutton (8) and Sawyer (4). Her middle daughter, Sutton, has Down Syndrome and has changed
their entire families lives for the better. Brittany and her family attended their first Buddy Walk in 2016
when Sutton was just 3 months old and have loved being a part of the DSAA community ever since. She
recently joined the board and is looking forward to serving and advocating for the community that
welcomed them with open arms.
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A Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician in the Division of Medical Genetics, Dr. Talboy serves as Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Clinic at Emory University. She specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of developmental and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.
She has experience and expertise in the areas of developmental delay, intellectual disability, language disorders, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and cerebral palsy.
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Mandy Thome lives in Atlanta with her husband Julian and daughters Tove and Collins. Mandy works in the financial industry. She and her husband started The Caroline Thome Angel Fund after the death of their daughter who had Down syndrome. Through the fund they help support different things in the Down syndrome community like Camp Brightside. Mandy is committed to honoring her daughter, and being on the board is a gift that allows her do that.