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DSDN DEIA Advisory Board
At DSDN, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are not the work of one team or initiative — they are part of how we serve families, build community and make decisions across our organization. We believe deeply that every family deserves to feel seen, valued, supported and that they belong. Our DEIA Advisory Council strengthens that commitment by bringing diverse perspectives and lived experiences to our work, helping us identify barriers, challenge assumptions and ensure the voices of families continue to shape how DSDN moves forward. Together, we are working toward a DSDN where every family has the opportunity to connect, participate and belong.
Brandy Coleman, DEIA Advisory Board Lead
With over 25 years of experience in social workāand the real-world training that comes from being a mother of sevenāBrandy is a passionate and tireless advocate for BIPOC women. She supports families through parenting education, birth support, and breastfeeding advocacy, blending professional expertise with lived experience (and probably a lot of caffeine). Brandy's mission took on a deeper urgency when her fifth child, Bellamy, was born with Down syndrome. Navigating the system as a BIPOC mother of a disabled child revealed just how many support gaps still exist. That moment didnāt just inspire herāit launched a full-on campaign to transform the way support is delivered to families like hers. Since joining DSDN in 2020, Brandy has been instrumental in expanding access to culturally responsive resources, building stronger community connections, and ensuring that DSDNās training and staff better reflect the diverse families they serve. Her advocacy also extends nationally through her roles with NDSCās Conference Diversity Committee and the African American Conference on Disability.
Rebecca Brink
Becca is a mom to Miriam - an amazing, funny, sweet and sassy kid with Down Syndrome. She currently lives in Western NY where she is an elementary school music teacher, and relocated there after years of living abroad-primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. She is thrilled to be part of this community.
Marissa Cabaza
Marissa is a mom to 3 amazing kids: Isaiah, Zoe, and her Rockin' kid Xavier. She has been married to the love of her life for 15 years. She is an occupational therapist with over 10 years experience working in pediatrics and now works for her local school district. She is a huge advocate for inclusion and meeting students where theyāre at rather than fitting them in a box.
NaTasha Davis
NaTasha is the Rockin' Mom to Phoenix Davis. She lives in Marion, Arkansas and is active in their local Down Syndrome association as well as the Crittenden County Miracle League. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and works with both the pediatric and geriatric populations.
Heidi Maria Lopez
Heidi (she/her/they/Ella/elle) is a first-generation in the US, Black Dominican who had her only child, Ambiori, in 2022. Receiving an at-birth diagnosis of T21 she was plunged into first time momhood and all things Down Syndrome. She is grateful for the amazing support and resources she received from groups like DSDN, especially the birth year group. Since then she has been doing the best she can and, along the way, enjoying the ride with her vivacious, kind and resilient son. Sheās proud to be on the DSDN board to support other parents navigating this journey.
Michael Martin
Michael Martin is a parent to an amazing daughter with mosaic Down syndrome. He is passionate about disability advocacy, accessibility, and making sure every family feels seen, heard, and included. He is excited to help DSDN continue building a more welcoming and equitable community.
Giovanna Meza Owens
Giovanna is passionate about advocating for individualsĀ with Down Syndrome and their families, inspired by lived experiences as a mother to a son with Trisomy 21.Ā
As an educator and mother of three, both perspectives help amplify family voices, challenging barriers, and advancing inclusion, equity, and belonging through our community.
As an educator and mother of three, both perspectives help amplify family voices, challenging barriers, and advancing inclusion, equity, and belonging through our community.
Mercedes Murphy
Mercedes lives in Holyoke, MA with her husband, Jonathan, two girls, Edith-Anne, Ivette who has Down Syndrome, and two cats. She homeschools her girls and has a small non-profit supporting homeschooling families.
Lisa Rancourt, PhD
Lisa is a parent, advocate, educator, and community leader passionate about creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families. With a PhD in Leadership and Organizational Change, she combines professional expertise and lived experience in her roles as a Special Olympics coach, Cubmaster with Scouting America, and mother of two sons. Lisa is especially committed to inclusion, accessible education, family support, and ensuring that individuals with disabilities and their families have their voices heard and valued. She enjoys boating and skiing with her family and is dedicated to turning lived experience into meaningful change and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and thrive.
Sabrina Seawood, D.Min
Sabrina is the mother of Justin, a happy member of the Down syndrome community. She brings a unique blend of leadership, business experience, and a heart for advocacy.
Brandy Stegall
Brandy is a high school special education teacher and mom to an incredible son with Down Syndrome, Autism, and LennoxāGastaut Syndrome, which means she can juggle IEPs, medical jargon, and snack negotiations. She is currently pursuing both her Specialist degree and BCBA with University of West Georgia. She enjoys volunteering as a literacy tutor at GiGiās Playhouse and spending time with family/friends in her 'free' time. Advocacy is her everyday job - whether Iām at school, at home, or in Atlanta traffic.
Mirieth Valenciano Marin
Mirieth is originally from Costa Rica and has lived in the United States for the past 20 years. She is the proud mom of a daughter with Down syndrome. Her family's journey has fueled her passion for building inclusive, welcoming communities. As a bilingual English-Spanish speaker with a background in health policy and advocacy, she enjoys connecting families, amplifying diverse voices, and improving access to information and resources.
Maria Yadira Regla
Yadira is a License Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. She is the proud mother of two wonderful children, Esmeralda and Rockin son, Ezekiel. She has been a part of DSDN since 2015 taking on various roles. After a two year break, she is back in supporting our community. She leads a nonprofit organization locally, Ezekielās Gift Of Love and now is eager to support the Ds community globally.
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