Board of Directors

Kevin Gailey, Chair

As the Head of School for Midwest Academy and as a parent of a child with learning differences, Kevin’s focus is keeping the child at the center. His passion is providing a progressive education for kids with learning differences since he has seen the tremendous difference that it makes in their lives. After being drawn to these complex learners as a teacher over 25 years ago, he believes that progressive education fits with students’ unique stages of development. Kevin received his B.S. in Psychology from Springfield College; an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Lesley University; and his M.A. in Administration/Exercise Sports Science from the University of North Carolina. He has also earned Certificates in Fundraising Management at the IU School of Philanthropy; Non-Profit Business Management at IU Kelley School of Business; and Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership from Georgetown University. He enjoys coaching soccer, tinkering with tools, reading, kayaking, hiking, and fly fishing.

Charles (C.J.) Pascarella, Treasurer

C.J. Pascarella is a Senior Vice President of PNC Bank, a member of The PNC Financial Services Group. He is a Sales Leader within PNC’s Corporate Bank overseeing $5+ billion of commitments covering Western Pennsylvania based companies ranging from $50 million to over a $1 billion in revenue. Since joining the Bank over twelve years ago, C.J. has worked extensively on leading a sales team, client management, prospecting, risk identification, negotiating, problem solving, and complex credit analysis and structuring.

In addition to banking, C.J. has over five years of public accounting experience assisting clients with comprehensive merger and acquisition due diligence, post-acquisition integration strategy, forensic accounting investigations, litigation support, complex insurance claim recovery, and audit services.

Prior to joining PNC Bank, C.J. worked as a Manager in the Transaction Advisory Services group of Grant Thornton, LLP in Charlotte, NC. During that time, C.J. managed numerous transactions for financial and strategic buyers, sellers, and lenders in various industries, ranging from $10 million to $3.5 billion in acquisition value. C.J. also spent nearly three years with Deloitte in Pittsburgh, PA.

C.J. holds a degree from the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and minor in Management Information Systems. C.J. is also a Certified Fraud Examiner and a PNC Certified Women’s Business Advocate.

Elizabeth Alves

Elizabeth Alves is a dedicated humanitarian who’s work focuses on educating professionals at the state, national, and global level to impact positive post graduate outcomes. Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in 2006 with a concentration in Elementary Education, a MAT in 2007 from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. She has since had her Masters endorsed in Early Childhood, Special Education, and Supervision from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. She holds teaching certificates in P-12 General and Special Education and Supervision.

Within the state of New Jersey Alves works at Benway School, a therapeutic out of district placement special education school for students with behavioral and emotional difficulties. She has developed a Transitional Program, coached teachers on Career Ready Practices, Literacy Intervention, and STREAM. She also collaborates with administration and staff to provide engagement activities. Alves started as the Treasurer and Scholarship Chair of the Learning Disabilities Association of NJ and recently has become the President. Alves serves as a member of the NJ Special Education Advisory Council where she is on several committees related to Recruitment and Retention, Internal Engagements, and External Engagements. Additionally, Alves serves as an Advisory Member for Rutgers Boggs Center Person Centered Approaches in School and Transitions Project. At the national level she was named the Affiliate Council Chair for LDA and works diligently to facilitate dialogues pertaining to our affiliates priorities. Finally, Alves is the lead in a lesson planning working group within the Pre University Coordinating Committee for IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. In addition to leading a group she participates in several other groups within the Educational Activities Board with a focus on empowering volunteers to empower our youth by creating course content, evaluating grant proposals, and utilizing strategic planning. Alves’ personal mission is to aid in the progress of filling the 30% gap in the engineering workforce by diversifying the field with women, underrepresented cultures and neuro-diverse students. She envisions leveraging her position at each level to work collaboratively toward shared goals.

Jaumeiko Coleman

Jaumeiko Coleman, PhD, CCC-SLP, FNAP is the Director of Clinical Services at the Atlanta Speech School. Her responsibilities include supporting the implementation of audiology; occupational therapy; reading, writing, and mathematics intervention; and speech-language-pathology clinic programs for children and adults. Her current position and past work in school-based settings, universities, a research unit, a continuing education accrediting unit, and as Director of School Services for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association have included a strong interprofessional practice focus. 

Kari Fotis

Kari Fotis, M.Ed., C-SLDS, is the Founder and Director of the Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center (HRDC) in Newport News, VA. Kari opened the center after nearly 20 years teaching and tutoring as a special education teacher. HRDC provides diagnostic testing and evidence-based intensive intervention for people with learning disabilities. HRDC also provides professional development, education, support, and advocacy services for families in the surrounding areas. Additionally, Kari works as an educational diagnostician for the Virginia Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities (VCARDD) in Richmond, VA.

Kari graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Psychology and then went on to earn a M.Ed. in Special Education Curriculum and Instruction from the College of William and Mary. After her initial training in the Wilson Readying System (WRS), Kari went on to earn the highest level of certification as a Wilson Language Dyslexia Therapist. Additionally, she is a certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist with the Center for Effective Reading Interventions (CERI), a subsidiary of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).

Kari works to increase understanding and awareness of challenges in special education by presenting at conferences at the state and national level. She also serves as a guest lecturer at Christopher Newport University and for The College of William and Mary’s law students serving with the PELE Advocacy Clinic.

Kari holds professional membership with the IDA, CERI, ILA, and the Council for Exceptional Children. As an active member in her community, Kari also serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Beach branch of the IDA. In her free time, Kari enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Lorelei Jackson

Lorelei Jackson leads the Student Services Department within a middle school in the Denver Public Schools system. She is former school teacher who has assisted in the development of Gifted & Talented programs, MTSS/RtI programs, Special Education programs, Multi-Language Learner & Newcomer programs, and differentiated mathematics programs for accelerated and struggling learners. Lorelei believes that access to culturally responsive curriculum and ongoing teacher training are not only fundamental parts of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking for all. Her teaching philosophy is based on a solid premise and strong belief that education is necessary for discovery and knowledge generation, and for individuals to become engaged citizens. She works towards increasing the knowledge and skills of general education teachers to better support neurodiverse students.

Through program development, Lorelei assists students in grades 5-8 overcome barriers to their education. She is an active advocate for student rights and frequently communicates and advocates for policy changes to support students with disabilities at the state and local level.

In addition to supporting academic programming within schools, Lorelei is an honored education coach and mindfulness instructor. She has been nominated for the Denver Distinguished Teacher Award and the Helen Phelps Recognition for Individual Volunteer. Lorelei holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology, and a second Master’s Degree in Special Education & Teaching. She has also received a graduate certification in Inclusive Schools Leadership, allowing her to build inclusive schools and improve academics & social-emotional outcomes for exceptional learners.

John J. Mulholland, Jr.

John J. Mulholland, Jr. serves as Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools, whose member schools educate over 10,000 students with significant disabilities. A neurodivergent leader and disability policy advocate, John brings both lived experience and years of public policy expertise to his work advancing educational equity.

He previously served as Director of the Office of Constituent Relations for the Governor of New Jersey and held several senior staff roles in the New Jersey Legislature. In these positions, he helped shape legislation benefiting individuals with disabilities, including making New Jersey the first state to extend residential parking access to home healthcare workers on a statewide basis.

John earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History, summa cum laude, from Temple University, and his Juris Doctor from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, where he was inducted into the Rubin Public Interest Law Honor Society. He is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential in 2024.

In addition to his professional work, John is passionate about building inclusive communities. He enjoys reading history, biographies, and science fiction; cheering on Philadelphia sports teams; and spending time with his wife, Sandy, their family, and close friends.

Dr. Analisa Smith

Dr. Analisa L. Smith has worked for more than 25 years in the public & private sector advocating for individuals with disabilities. She works professionally as an education consultant, a homeschool consultant, a distance education professor, and a classroom teacher. She is certified/endorsed in 13 areas of education in two states. Smith has a a Doctorate of Education in Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University, an M.Ed. in Education from the University of South Carolina, and a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Columbia College. She is the author of Transition Toolbox: Postsecondary Success for the Student with a Disability, a book that focuses upon transition issues and services for the mildly disabled individual and a plethora of article publications. She is the mother of three sons (2 neurodivergent), and a grandmother to a grandson and granddaughter. Smith’s passion is to promote advocacy and support for all students, in particular those identified with neurodivergence.

Mark Stoddart

Mark Stoddart is a renowned Scottish artist celebrated for his exquisite bronze sculptures, which often feature marine and wildlife themes. His artistry is characterized by intricate detail and a profound connection to nature, making his works highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Mark is passionately dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities. As an active supporter of Dyslexia Scotland, he works tirelessly to raise awareness and provide assistance to those with dyslexia and other learning challenges. His advocacy extends globally, impacting countless lives and fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment for individuals with learning disabilities. Through his art and humanitarian efforts, Mark Stoddart continues to inspire and make a significant difference in the world.

Robin Thoma, Ph.D.

Dr. Robin Thoma is the Project Manager of the SLD Support Project, a federally funded grant project through the Illinois State Board of Education in partnership with Eastern Illinois University and Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education. The SLDSP provides professional learning opportunities to educators and school personnel who support students with specific learning disabilities across the state of Illinois. She spent the first eighteen years of her career as a high school special teacher where she specialized in supporting students with specific learning disabilities and autism. In this role, she collaborated with general education teachers, guidance counselors, related service providers, and parents to support students with IEPs. Following her time in the classroom, Robin served as the interim Chairperson of the Education Department and Licensing Advisor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. While at SMWC, she developed curricula for the P-12 Mild Intervention and Intense Intervention programs. In addition to serving as the Project Manager for the SLD Support Project, Robin is an adjunct instructor at Indiana State University and Minot State University.

Robin earned her PhD from Indiana State University in December 2022. She was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of America in 2024. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.