Guest Speakers and Organizing Team

Over the past 15 years, Carrie has spoken at several local, state, and regional conferences, on a variety of topics as it pertains to the Special Education process, with a focus on the parent and students.  Carrie will also routinely provide training to various schools, colleges, and civic groups about child abuse with a focus on Traumatic Brain Injury, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her educational degree is in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. 

Natalie has dedicated the past two years to empowering families in the special education process. Her workshops provide essential insights on navigating this complex journey. Before joining MPACT, Natalie gained invaluable experience as a provider in Missouri's First Steps program, an early intervention initiative, leading to significant experience in the early childhood field.  

Peggy has held her position at the Recreation Council for eight years. She earned her Master's Degree in Social Work for Communities and Organizations, as well as a NeighborWorks Housing certification. Moreover, Peggy has volunteered at Doorways Housing and worked in the local developmental disability field. She and her husband have three adult children. Their daughter with Autism lives her best life with daily activities that include swim team, track team, bowling team, a group of friends and overnight camps.

Katelend graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies and a minor in Education. Her career at UMSL Succeed began with an internship wherein she accumulated over 600 work hours. Katelend’s role at the OIPE involves facilitating all transition events and activities, including coordinating the Succeed Summer Enrichment Camp. In spring 2024, Katelend received her Master’s Degree in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. 

Sharon has a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. Having worked for the St. Louis Arc the past 17 years, her skill set revolves around Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Development, and Training. Sharon is an outspoken and inspiring community advocate. She has a Bachelor of Arts focused on Psychology from St. Louis University. 

Stephanie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services at Fontbonne University in 2003 and her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis in 2005. Stephanie has been the Youth and Family manager at Paraquad for 1 year. She worked as the Youth and Family Education Specialist 16 years prior to that. One of her passions is teaching youth with disabilities how to advocate for themselves, and the importance of speaking up. 

Over 20 years of combined experience as a writer, designer, and creative director for consumer advertising, B2B and direct marketing, and digital media production has paved the path for Aina's role at the OIPE. She produces all internal and external communications, including content writing, photo/videography, graphic design, and layout of our online newsletters. Her scope of expertise encompasses social media marketing, managing the OIPE website, and planning and coordinating recruitment events. Beginning 2025, Aina will regularly represent the team at transition fairs in St. Louis and surrounding areas.

Darcie is in her final semester of the Bachelor of Educational Studies (BES) program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  She began her internship with OIPE in August 2024 and has served in multiple roles: tutor, coach, classroom assistant, and data collector.  Her ability to use different approaches when coaching and tutoring students has been recognized as a highlight within the office.  In addition to the aforementioned roles, she helped plan the STL Spring into Transition Summit.  She is looking forward to continuing the remainder of her internship with OIPE and intends to graduate in May 2025.  

UMSL OIPE Alumna (Succeed Program and Link Program Graduate)

Marie joined the Succeed Summer Enrichment Camp before fall semester of 2018. It was a week-long immersive experience that prepared her for life as a college student in the Succeed Program. After receiving her Chancellor's Certificate in 2020, Marie worked as an intern at the OIPE office in Lucas Hall and decided to further her studies. Equipped with confidence as a thriving, neurodivergent college student, Marie eventually earned her Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies with an emphasis on Youth and Adult Development in May 2024. She now works as a teacher assistant at Hope Montessori Academy in Creve Coeur, MO.

Parent of an OIPE Succeed Program Graduate and Disability Champion

Tonya Haynes is a professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in the College of Nursing and mother of two sons with autism - one being Tyler Haynes, a graduate of the UMSL SUCCEED Program. Since Tyler’s diagnosis of autism in 2003, Tonya has prioritized efforts aimed at enhanced understanding of how autism impacts her son and what she can do to help him and other individuals with disabilities reach their full potential.

UMSL OIPE Succeed Program Student

Javion is a proud first-year UMSL student in the Succeed Program.  He graduated from McCluer North High School in May 2024.  His long-term career goal is to become a history teacher.  He enjoys living on campus at Oak Hall. His favorite hobbies are spending time with family, eating pizza, and playing basketball.          

Intern for UMSL OIPE and Link Program Student

Megan graduated from the two-year Succeed Program in 2021 and continued with OIPE as a Link Degree student.  She will graduate with a Bachelor of Educational Studies (BES) in May 2025.  Currently, she has an apartment on campus and has been working for the past 4-and-a-half years at the UMSL Recreational Wellness Center.  In her free time, she loves hanging out with her Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a cat named Bia.