As a mom and stepmom to eight children—four of whom have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities —Katherine Gyolai founded Find Love Safely to provide a safe, supported way for her children to form relationships. In addition to running Find Love Safely, Katherine is a marketing consultant for a healthcare startup, and an International Coaching Federation-certified executive and team coach.
Chris Biscoe is the Founder of ChrisBOnTheWeb Media which has been operating for over 10 years. Now 39, he was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 8. For the past 19 years he has been creating online and streaming content with his team. With a recent additional diagnosis of anxiety, he is a big advocate for mental health and for all those with autism.
Drew is the inventor of Caroline’s Cart, a game-changing, patented, special-needs shopping cart designed to provide an inclusive and accessible shopping experience for individuals with special needs. Inspired by her daughter Caroline, who has special needs and could not use a traditional cart, Drew Ann took matters into her own hands—sketching her first idea on a napkin and eventually bringing the patented design to life. Today, Caroline’s Cart is in retailers across all 50 states and eight countries, used by families, caregivers, senior adults, and stores committed to inclusion, accessibility and dignity.
Kimberly Lavelanet is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with over 19 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She served as a Clinical Behavior Consultant at Harbor Regional Center for 9 years, supporting individuals, families, and providers as part of the Psychological and Behavior Services Team. She became a certified UCLA PEERS Provider in 2016, specializing in evidence-based social skills training for adolescents and adults. In 2022, she became an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, expanding her experience into sexual health education. In an effort to meet gaps in services, Kimberly founded BEHAVRIUM Health Services in 2023 to promote behavioral and sexual health for every learner and their families.
Whitney Fallon is a holistic wellness expert, neurodivergent advocate, and self-proclaimed wellness detective who helps individuals uncover the missing pieces to their energy, focus, and emotional well-being. With a background in sleep medicine, psychology, and functional wellness, she specializes in supporting neurodivergent minds and bodies through a blend of science, soul, and strategy. As the founder of Wooded Lake Wellness and creator of the Neuro Blueprint™, Whitney is on a mission to help people embrace their unique neurostyles and optimize their health, habits, and happiness—without burnout or overwhelm.
Drew Deraney is a coach, author, and advocate dedicated to empowering caregivers and families of individuals with autism. As The Caregiver & Family Health Coach, he helps parents and caregivers find balance, build resilience, and care for themselves as compassionately as they care for their loved ones. Drew is the proud father of three children, including a son with autism, which inspires his mission to provide guidance, education, and community support. Through coaching, speaking, and his podcast From Caving In To Crushing It, Drew encourages others to live authentically, rise with strength, and lead with purpose.
Emmy and Annie Award-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. He was the Director & Co-Writer of the Guillermo del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series Maya and the Three for Netflix which won 2 Annie Awards, and 4 Emmys. Gutierrez is currently writing and directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
Judi is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.
As a leader in self-directed services policy and implementation, Molly brings over a decade of experience working with states, participants, and provider organizations to enhance and expand self-direction programs nationwide. Through her work, she has shaped policy initiatives, developed critical resources, and built partnerships that advance self-determination for individuals with disabilities and serious mental illness. Molly is a co-founder at The Self-Direction Center.
Dr. L is a Family Advocate, a consultant to the United Nations, a clinical neuroscientist, and a children’s performance optimizer. He is the creator of Role Model Maker, founder of the Amazing Parents’ Network, and director of Foundation for Optimal Beginnings.