About the PAC
Meet the Executive Committee
Crystal Lay, President
Crystal Lay has been announced as the returning PAC President for the 2024-2025 school year. Crystal Miller Lay is the Chief Executive of GBS Worldwide, an end-to-end Talent Attraction Firm specializing in employer branding, recruitment marketing, and organizational talent transformation. With over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy, behavioral psychology, brand experience management, and award-winning digital marketing, she has partnered with clients ranging from late-stage startups to Fortune 10 companies to enhance talent attraction and improve the world of work.
Crystal also runs the Autistic Teen Program for the Freddie Ford Foundation, where she also serves as a Board Member and is a 2023 Missouri Department of Developmental Disabilities Partners in Policymaking Graduate. Her anti-bullying project, focused on the impact of bullying on Autistic youth in Missouri, done through Partners in Policymaking and with the Teens at Freddie Ford Foundation (found at MissouriSafeatSchool.org), won two 2024 Communicator Awards for Strategic Impact in Social Innovation and Inclusion.
Education is a passion and lifelong pursuit for Crystal. She earned her MBA in Leadership and Organisational Innovation from the University of Wales, specializing in Neurodiversity and Performance at Work. Over the last three years, Crystal has conducted a significant study into the EVP development gap for individuals with disabilities and the neurodiverse, which was accepted by the University of Wales in 2023. She is a MSc Candidate for Industrial Organizational Psychology and is undertaking a third Masters of Science in Psychology of Mental Health and Well-being with the University of Wolverhampton in England with plans to start her Doctorate in 2025.
She resides in the Rockwood School District and looks forward to working with Rockwood, and all the Partner Districts, on greater educational inclusion and communication for both parents and educators in the 2024-2025 school year.
Denise Bursey, Recording Secretary
Denise Bursey has been announced as the PAC recording secretary for the 2024-2025 school year. This marks her third year serving on the SSD PAC. A St. Louis native, Bursey earned her Bachelor's degree in Organizational Studies from Fontbonne University and dual Master's degrees in HR Management and HR Development from Webster University. She is currently the Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist for one of the largest tire recycling companies in North America.
Named one of St. Louis's "Best, Boldest, and Brightest" by Who's Who Diversity in Color, Bursey is an active member of the Eta Mu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Bursey is also one of St. Louis Business Journal's 2024 HR Award Honorees and was named FFSD 2023-2024 Outstanding Volunteer.
In addition to her role on the Ferguson-Florissant PAC, she serves on the State of Missouri Autism Advisory Council. As a parent of two children receiving SSD services, she is deeply committed to ensuring that all parents have the knowledge and resources they need to advocate for their children.
Maria Martinez, Corresponding Secretary
Maria Martinez has been announced as the PAC Corresponding Secretary for the 2024-2025 school year. This is Maria's first year on the SSD PAC Executive Committee. Maria Martinez has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.
Maria is the mother of 3 children in the Bayless School District. Her middle child receives services through SSD. Before becoming a stay at home parent with her youngest, Maria was a Paraprofessional with SSD in the Bayless School District. In addition to serving as the Bayless District PAC representative she is also involved with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, serves as a member of the Bayless PTO Board and very active, having multiple volunteer roles, with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.
Maria is very passionate about helping children and families navigate the world of Special Education and what comes next. She is committed to helping children, parents, and families find the resources and knowledge to be the best advocates for themselves and their children. She is looking forward to working with the SSD PAC and district representatives to ensure the inclusion and communication between partner districts and SSD families.
corresponding-secretary@ssdmoorg.onmicrosoft.com
Dwane Lay: Parliamentarian
Dwane Lay has been announced as the returning PAC Parliamentarian for the 2024-2025 school year. A St. Louis native, Lay earned his Bachelors in Computer Science and Psychology from UMSL and MBA from Lindenwood University. He is currently the Chief Experience Officer for the award-winning recruitment marketing agency, GBS.
A 2022 Graduate of the Missouri Department of Developmental Disabilities Partners in Policymaking program, Lay is an active volunteer for the Freddie Ford Family Foundation and a Certified Lay Advocate. He is passionate about helping others navigate disability and inclusion rights.
Lay is also a member of the Kirkwood PAC. As a parent and grandparent of children receiving SSD services, he is deeply committed to ensuring all parents have the knowledge, resources and partnership they need to advocate for their children.