Not only are we experts in the understanding of disabilities, but SNSC proudly hires individuals with disabilities at all levels, including Dr. Kendra LaRoche, our executive director. Additionally, we have seats on our board reserved for those with disabilities. We are not usurping the voices of others but are, instead, the voices of the disabled.
Manchester, VT
In 2018 I was referred to SNSC for Parent Educational Support and Advocacy. I can remember it like yesterday, as it was such a challenging time for my husband Nolan and I. We have 3 daughters (Lillian, Madalyn, and Sophia) diagnosed with Autism, and I found myself lost with all the IEP and Evaluation meetings. Also, I found myself seeking conversations with other parents who understood my challenges and fears related to raising children with a disabilities. I was told as a young child that knowledge is power, and as a mother I wanted to be sure I was doing everything possible for all my children. I’m so fortunate that I found SNSC because developing strong relationships is the foundation of everything I do professionally and personally. I have been empowered by knowledge and skills from the wonderful staff, participants, and volunteers within the SNSC community. In my free time I love spending time with my family, friends, cats, and guinea pig. My favorite thing is hearing my children giggle and I really love making tie-dye shirts together as a family.
Emma (she/her) is passionate about working with people with disabilities and creating equity for all. She was an active member of unified sports in high school and discovered her desire to make spaces accessible to everyone. She created an annual unified prom that brings together students with and without disabilities for a sensory friendly dance that continues to be held every year. She has a B.S. in Education and a Masters in Special Education from the University of Vermont. Emma has worked as an intensive needs paraprofessional, ABA interventionist and special educator. Outside of work Emma loves spending time with her family and dog.
I am thrilled to be part of The Support Center for Special Needs team, serving the Upper Valley community that has shaped me. Growing up here, I developed a deep appreciation for the power of connection and support. My journey has taken me across the country, but my passion for building strong, inclusive communities has brought me back home. I am eager to use my experience in marketing, development, and community engagement to help advance the mission of SNSC and make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families in our region.
My career has been driven by a passion for communication, outreach, and community engagement. I previously served as a Communications and Digital Marketing Specialist for Mental Health Partners in Boulder County, Colorado, where I collaborated with local partners on suicide prevention training, fundraising, and crisis response during COVID and a mass shooting. Later, I worked as a Communications and Digital Specialist for an At-Large City Council member at the Denver City and County Council, focusing on public safety, substance use, housing, transportation, and development.
Returning to Vermont, I transitioned into education to foster a positive community culture for youth and educators. Now, as the Director of Marketing and Development at The Support Center for Special Needs, I am dedicated to strengthening community connections and advocating for individuals with diverse abilities.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, meditation, playing guitar and drums, fishing, and spending time with my dogs. I believe in the power of community and the importance of caring for one another, values that continue to guide my professional and personal life.
Rick Bonfiglio is a dedicated professional with over 25 years experience working with children with autism in both scholastic and vocational settings. With a strong background in Applied Behavior Analysis , Rick has devoted decades to empowering students and adults with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. He is deeply passionate about student advocacy and is committed to mutualistic outcomes for students, their families, and educational districts.
Shana is a passionate advocate for social change. After earning her degree in communications, Shana found her passion in nonprofit work, primarily focusing on public health, disability, and education. Aware of the limited resources available for nonprofits, Shana approaches everything she does with an efficiency lens. She analyzes processes and recognizes areas for improvement to maximize impact. Shana thrives by solving problems and being resourceful but shines brightest when helping others.
Meg has participated on many boards primarily in the Woodstock, Vermont area, including the Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Youth Hockey, Zach’s Place and still serves the Pivotal Steps Board as President. She enjoyed expanding her wings at the Vermont Community Foundation for ten years where she was Chair of the Board for two. She is passionate about the mission at Let’s Grow Kids where she is on the Board of Directors as it seems to be a culmination of her lifelong goal to meet the needs of our youngest, especially those most at risk. Let’s Grow Kids is a movement which will achieve quality, affordable childcare for ALL Vermont children by the year 2025.
Meg holds a Masters in Developmental Therapy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. From 1975 to 2001 she served as a therapist and eventually Director of the Woodstock Learning Clinic and later Chair of the Board of the Woodstock Learning Trust. Subsequently she served in many capacities at the Woodstock and Reading Elementary Schools, including interim principal at both.
For the last twenty-five years, after launching her three children into independence, Meg served as a Patient Family Advisor earning her the Dartmouth-Hitchcock “Volunteer of the Year” award in 2017. She has presented locally, nationally, and internationally about the importance of Patient Family Centered Care. She is currently volunteering as a case advocate for the HUB, an emergency relief fund she helped establish in her region.
She and her husband Bruce live in Bridgewater, Vermont. They have four granddaughters who are the light of Meg’s life.
Hanover, NH
Kate is an Owner, Senior Wealth Advisor, and Senior Portfolio Manager at Torch Family Capital in Hanover, NH. Kate started her career in the financial services industry after a decade as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) working with children and adults with disabilities. Her board certification and experience working with families provides Kate with a unique understanding of how complex needs within family systems drive decision-making. While still flexing the BCBA ® muscle in her current role, individuals with disabilities will always hold a special place in her heart. She keeps that close by sitting on boards like SNSC. Kate was previously on the board and is delighted to jump back in again. Kate lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two young daughters.
Hartford, VT
Jo-Anne has been working with children who have disabilities and their families since 1969. The inspiration received from these children and their families has been central to her work as a special education teacher and administrator in Vermont between 1971 – 2006. As a consultant on the Vermont Interagency Team, and on the Vermont Integrated Instructional Model from 2006 -2012 she worked across education, mental health, and child protection disciplines to strengthen supports for children and families. In her role as Executive Director of the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators from 2012 -2017 she worked with administrators throughout Vermont and with the Vermont Legislature to support and advocate for appropriate services for children with disabilities, for embracing equity and inclusion for students and for responding to the needs of educators and families.
She was on the SNSC Board of Director from 2009 – 2021 in a variety of roles; upon retiring from the board was appointed as Director Emeritus. She returned to the SNSC Board as Co-President with Meg Seely in 2023.
Her Bachelors’ Degree was in Psychology, her Doctorate in Education, and she was a Vermont licensed special educator and administrator. In 1996 she became a certified Mediator through Woodbury College.
Interests include hiking, cross country skiing, biking, kayaking, knitting, singing, and maintaining contact with family and friends. She is married to Ken Kramberg who currently serves as a consultant and trainer specializing in educational support for children with emotional and behavioral challenges. Their son, Joseph and his wife, Beata, live in San Francisco and Hawaii. As of 2022 she became a delighted grandmother to Aleph.
Cody Dana is an Upper Valley native. A Mortgage Loan Officer at Mascoma Bank since 2016, he brings a passion for helping people to everything he does. Cody loves helping friends, neighbors, and other community members with their home loan needs. Cody is excited to work on the board of SNSC to help make the Upper Valley a more inclusive place!
When he’s not golfing, camping, or hunting, Cody can be found volunteering with the Windsor Rotary Club. He works on committees for their annual golf tournament, Ice Out, and Ducky Derby fundraisers among others. He’s also volunteered his time the last few years fundraising for the annual Autumn Moon Festival put on in the town of Windsor.
Norwich, VT
Brooke lives in Norwich, Vermont with her husband, two teenage children and two dogs. She has run her own law firm since 2004, practicing real estate, estate planning and business formation. Brooke joined the SNSC Board in the summer of 2023, in loving memory of a childhood friend with significant physical and mental disabilities, with the hope that she can share some of the light that he and his family provided her and also give back to the special needs community.
Orford, NH
Larissa moved to the Upper Valley in 2011 where she started her career in marketing. She’s pursued various opportunities along the way, including working in digital marketing, communications, eCommerce, and website design and development. In 2018, Larissa joined Hypertherm, and currently leads a team within their corporate marketing and revenue operations function.She holds a master’s degree in environmental science & policy from John Hopkins University and an MBA from the University of Illinois. Larissa lives in Orford, NH with her husband and their Australian Cattle dog, Boomer. She’s excited to join SNSC to learn, to give back to the community, and to help make the Upper Valley a more inclusive place for all members.
Norwich, VT
Annie lives in Norwich, Vermont, with her husband and two children. She is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College where she leads a research program studying biomarkers of child health. She is involved in advocacy around patient and family-centered health care, inclusive playgrounds and accessible trails, and special education.
White River Junction, VT
Tesha Thibodeau is an active member of the Green Mountain Self-Advocates board (GMSA) where she works with the state advising on laws and turning items into plain language to be better understood by everyone. She grew up in the Upper Valley and is active in the disability sector as a proud autistic adult with a developmental disability. Tesha’s goal is to be an ambassador for people with disabilities, as she has a strong voice and can speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. She is the President of the Winds of Change self-advocates, elected to that position because of her patience and ability to understand people and what they need or want. In her free time she is both an artist and a singer.
Hanover, NH
Samantha Estes is a 24-year-old female living in Hanover, New Hampshire with her family. She is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and comes to the Special Needs Support Center with a variety of experience ranging from a preschool para to. Helping others navigate their own disability journeys. Sam, as she prefers to be called, is also a full-time student at River Valley Community College studying early childhood education for her associates degree. She hopes to move onto bachelors at some point through the University of New Hampshire. She has held several different board positions through organizations like ableNew Hampshire. Sam is also passionate about helping others with disabilities and advocating for those who feel they are silenced because of their disability. Sam is excited to work with the Special Needs Support Center in hopes to be an advocate for the next generation.
Canal Fulton, OH
Vince is Director, Aerospace Bearings, Americas at The Timken Company. Vince has been with Timken since 2006. Prior to joining Timken, he served in various leadership roles with Motorola and Flextronics.
Vince holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in business administration from Florida International University.
Vince has a child with special needs and supports SNSC as current Board Member and former Chair of SNSC’s annual giving campaign. Vince enjoys sharing his experiences with the SNSC community as a way of giving back.
Sue comes to SNSC from over 30 years working with children and families in community mental health and special education. Her passion is helping people become and learn to the best of their abilities. When students understand their learning strengths and challenges, they can become informed self-advocates, and participate actively in their learning. When their adults understand how they learn, they can collaborate actively to build optimal individualized plans for learning.
Sue concentrated in psychology and political science at Brown University, and went on to a graduate degree in clinical psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a clinical psychology internship at Dartmouth Medical School. Following internship, she worked for several years at West Central Behavioral Health, developed and co-implemented the Parents in Distress Program, and, for the last 25 years in education in both New Hampshire and Vermont, served as a school therapist, case manager, director of a mainstreamed program for emotionally and behaviorally disordered middle and high school students, and school psychologist consulting with parents, teachers, and students on how their students learn best.
