Meet The Team
At Disability EmpowHer Network, our work is driven by a passionate team of disabled women and feminine aligned nonbinary people who believe in the power of mentorship, leadership, and community. Each member brings unique experiences and strengths that shape our programs and impact. Together, we are building a future where disabled girls and women are empowered to lead with confidence. Ask us about our pronouns!
Stephanie Woodward
CEO
An attorney, activist, and organizer, Stephanie is passionate about Disability Rights and empowering people with disabilities. Stephanie has litigated and worked for two U.S. Senators . As a proud disabled woman, Stephanie credits her success to mentoring she received from member of the Disability Community starting in her early twenties and is committed to helping even more girls and young women with disabilities through mentoring.
Sophie Poost
Director of Programs
Sophie is a disabled bisexual woman who loves to create spaces where disabled women, girls, and nonbinary people have the opportunity and support to embrace their potential and follow their passions. Throughout her career, she’s been committed to the Disability Community, specifically helping youth and disabled people find their voices. Sophie has long been supported by incredible mentors and supportive communities and she hopes to pay it forward by helping others see their full worth.
Andraéa LaVant
Book Club Curator
Andraéa LaVant is a cultural strategist, storyteller, and proud Black disabled woman who has spent over two decades sparking conversations that challenge norms and create lasting impact. As founder and president of LaVant Consulting Inc., she helps industry leaders "speak disability with confidence." Known for her blend of candor, warmth, and strategic insight, Andraéa has been recognized for delivering truth with both boldness and care. She gained international recognition as Impact Producer for Netflix's Oscar-nominated Crip Camp, executive produced by President Barack and Mrs. Michelle Obama. In 2021, she made history as the first visibly disabled Black woman on the Oscars red carpet. Through storytelling, strategy, and unapologetic creativity, her work challenges norms and shifts narratives —earning features on Good Morning America, NBC, Essence, and other leading media platforms. She was also a contributor to the anthology Wake Up America: Black Women on the Future of Democracy alongside alongside luminaries like Stacey Abrams, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and other leading Black women voices, Andraéa lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her wife, Jamie, and her service dog, Goji. She continues to lead LaVant Consulting’s work with partners across industries while shaping national and global conversations about disability, culture, and equity. Her impact has been recognized through honors such as her induction into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame, a nomination for the ADCOLOR Awards, and her ongoing role as a judge for the Anthem Awards, which celebrate social change across media and culture.
Bridget Sigman
Camp Coordinator
Bridget is passionate about advocacy and mentorship, and she love helping women with disabilities step into leadership with confidence. Bridget has spent nearly a decade in customer success and strategy, but what really lights her up is building spaces where women can thrive and lead boldly. When she is not doing that, you can usually find Bridget gaming with friends or hanging out with her family.
Danielle Bentley
Futures Coordinator
Danielle Bentley is a dedicated educator, proud disabled woman, and mom of two. With over eight years of teaching experience, she brings a deep passion for education and empowering students. Danielle holds a Child Development credential specializing in ages 3–5, a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, and a Master’s in Elementary Education. She is currently completing her second Master’s in Educational Technology and Instructional Design, which she uses to design accessible, technology-rich learning experiences that prepare students with disabilities for job exploration and workplace readiness. Dedicated to preparing students for life beyond the classroom, Danielle loves integrating real-world skills into her teaching, helping young adults discover their futures, embrace possibilities, and realize their full potential.
Lavender Nestrick
Transitions Coordinator
Lavender is a proud disabled, Neurodivergent, and Queer and person. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2021 and has previously worked in the nonprofit sector helping to create opportunities and safe spaces for trans- and gender-nonconforming children and teenagers. She started embracing her disabled identity in her late teenage years when she met a friend who was very passionate about disability advocacy and who introduced her to a member of Disability EmpowHer Network. With a lifelong experience of disability but previously no one who understood, she discovered the power of community and support amongst others who identify as disabled, which has profoundly shaped her life. Passionate about giving back, Lavender is dedicated to providing support and resources to others on their own disability journeys. In both her professional and personal life, she strives to create a welcoming and empowering environment for all, fostering connection and resilience among disabled individuals.
Shruti Rajkumar
Communications and Development Coordinator
Shruti Rajkumar is a freelance reporter based in New York and a contributing writer for Prism. They received a B.S. in Journalism from Emerson College in 2022. Shruti's work has been published in HuffPost, NPR, The Boston Globe Magazine, AsAmNews and more. They have a strong passion for uplifting disabled voices through media creation and storytelling.
Meet The Board
Kathryn Carroll
Board Chair
Kathryn is a lawyer who has a history of working to advance disability rights and change public policy to support inclusion and accessibility. She works in aging services and volunteers in numerous capacities, including as Vice Chairperson of the Accessibility Advisory Committee to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Adirondack Park Agency. She serves as a mentor for the EmpowHer Camp Class of 2022 and 2025.
Amy Tweedle
Vice Chair
Amy began her journey into the world of disability justice as a child of a step-father with a disability. Early on she began noticing the places they could not go as a family because of inaccessibility. Amy began working at her local center for independent living and went to her first national disability civil disobedience event at 19. In her work at the center for independent living, she has held a variety of positions giving her the opportunity to broaden her advocacy skills. After going through a mental health crisis, Amy realized the importance of taking care of your mental health and how many of the preventive mental health services are not available to people with disabilities. Amy went back to school and obtained her certification as a Health and Life Coach and began offering these much-needed services at her center. Amy is excited about the opportunity to use her skills and life experiences to help other young women with disabilities.
Katie Shelley
Board Treasurer
Katie Shelley serves as the Conda Family Manager of Access Initiatives at the Toledo Museum of Art. Originally from the Detroit area, Katie is now a proud Toledoan, but will always remain a Michigander at heart. Katie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Western Michigan University, a Master of Library Science degree from Wayne State University, and a Master of Liberal Studies degree with a focus on Disability Studies from the University of Toledo. Katie is honored to be a Board Member of Disability EmpowHer Network, a natural next step after participating in almost every program DEN has to offer -- from EmpowHer Expressions to being an EmpowHer Camp mentor for the EmpowHer Class of 2024. Additionally, Katie is a member of the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, and most importantly, is mom to Petunia, her service dog.
Abby Ritter
Board Secretary
Abby Ritter is a Disabled music therapist and activist from Worcester, MA. They completed both bachelor’s and their master’s degrees from Nazareth College (now Nazareth University) in Rochester, NY, and have a passion for working in and with the Disability community. She is the South Carolina Pathways Project Coordinator at Able South Carolina, a center for independent living in Columbia, SC. Abby has been both a mentor and an ally with Disability EmpowHer Network's EmpowHer Camp program and is proud to say they have attended every single EmpowHer Camp trip since the program's inception. Outside of her work in the disability community, Abby enjoys spending time with her partner, Steph, and their cat, Apollo.
Davi Kallman
Board Member
Dr. Davi Kallman is the District Dean of Student Engagement at Pierce College in Lakewood Washington. Kallman also serves as Pierce College’s 504/ADA Coordinator. In this role she works with Pierce College District students, faculty, and staff to ensure that student disability rights are upheld. In her spare time, she serves as an adjunct Professor of Communication at Tacoma Community College (TCC). She earned her PhD in Health Communication from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, following her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Communication from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Dr. Kallman leverages her expertise in media literacy and other interventions to dismantle stereotypes in institutional settings, fostering environments that are more inclusive and equitable. A key part of her journey has been informed by her own experiences as a dyslexic individual. Her work reflects her commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities—both visible and “hidden”—receive the support they need to thrive. Dr. Kallman’s experiences inform her vision for a more inclusive and accessible higher education system. Go Raiders!
Johileny Merán
Board Member
A Disabled Afro-Dominican immigrant raised in NYC. Johileny is passionate about advocacy, education, and empowering youth. She currently works as the Programs and Operations Assistant at the American Association of People's with Disabilities. Johileny has a BA in Global Public Health & Sociology with a minor in Disability Studies from New York University. Johileny champions inclusion in study abroad programs, college communities, emergency response and all aspects of her personal and professional life. In her free time, she mentors, engages in adaptive sports and shares her travel experiences.
Mary Willard
Board Member
Mary is an experienced non-profit professional and disability rights advocate with over 15 years dedicated to promoting inclusion and empowerment with individuals with disabilities. She served as the Public Health Outreach Coordinator for Summit Independent Living in Missoula, MT, where she ensured that disability messaging and inclusion was central to public health initiatives. Willard educated community organizations and the legal system about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and accessible communication, while providing vital information and referrals on community resources to individuals with disabilities. She also advocates for developmental disability (DD) community inclusion at public meetings and develops individual emergency planning protocols. Previously, Willard served as the Director of Training and Technical Assistance at the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living. In that role, she hired and supervised staff, managed program budgets, and developed strategic plan goals. Willard worked closely with the Administration on Community Living, advising on emerging practices and trends in the field of Independent Living. She was also integral in developing leadership training opportunities and conferences for youth with disabilities. Mary has been involved with several programs and projects with Disability EmpowHer Network. She dabbles in disability consultant work and loves getting others excited about disability culture, community, and the power in pride.
Laura Cardwell
Board Member
Laura Cardwell is a Korean-born adoptee who lives in Troy, New York. She is the Executive Director of the New York State Independent Living Council, a disability-led nonprofit responsible for ensuring New York State's Independent Living Network succeeds in its mission to increase the advocacy skills, leadership development, and empowerment of people with disabilities. Laura was previously Director of Operations with the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS), where she spent 13 years advocating and supporting self-direction in public health programs. She helped build and oversaw a statewide peer mentoring program, staffed entirely by disabled women, that successfully served thousands of consumers and home care workers. Prior to her career in disability policy, Laura worked at a Pizza Hut inside her local Target, as an assistant high school English teacher in Japan, and in the events industry. She lives with combined type ADHD and skin picking disorder, and is proud to be the daughter of a father with psychiatric disabilities. Laura credits her personal and professional growth to having access to supportive communities and peer role models, and hopes to be able to offer the same to disabled girls and women through her participation and support of Disability EmpowHer Network's programs.